Photos: Ministering amid the realities of a changing neighborhood

Eliasar Avalos, left, and his sister Angelina, standing against the wall, wait outside for their parents after Pastor Joey Oquendo’s service at the Boyle Heights Christian Center. The church will be renamed Cityscape: Church of Los Angeles, to reflect its changing membership. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

May 14, 2014 5:25 PM PT

The Boyle Heights Christian Center was started in the early 1990s when the Eastside neighborhood, like much of L.A., was in the midst of historically high gang violence. Pastor Joey Oquendo, 29, ministers to a flock that is very much different now.

Pastor Joey Oquendo, 29, preaches his sermon at the former Boyle Heights Christian Center. The church is being renovated and will be renamed Cityscape: Church of Los Angeles.

(Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Pastor Joey Oquendo prays with Karen Cavanaugh at the Boyle Heights Christian Center. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Alvivon “Von Bon” Hurd and others worship during Pastor Joey Oquendo’s service at the Boyle Heights Christian Center. The gang members who once made up the bulk of the parish are mostly gone, leaving a congregation that can number fewer than 20. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Pastor Joey Oquendo prays with Karen Cavanaugh, left, and Robin Avalos at the Boyle Heights Christian Center. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Pastor Joey Oquendo, 29, works on renovating the Boyle Heights Christian Center, which will be renamed Cityscape: Church of Los Angeles. “There’s members who have been here forever, but in essence, a new church is starting,” Oquendo said. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Sunday school teacher Joelene Tapia sings songs with the class at the Boyle Heights Christian Center, including her two daughters, Briseis, 5, right, rocking baby sister Alexis, 2.

(Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)