Pacoima Church Sings Out Against Evils of Drugs

It’s remarkable how many beautiful sights and sounds “Hallelujah Pacoima,” tonight’s edition of KCET’s local series “California Stories,” packs into just 30 minutes (Channel 28 at 7:30).

The subject is the Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, which is internationally known for its passionate, high-quality gospel singing, and the focus is on how the church has taken the message of Jesus into the streets to do battle with the evil forces of drugs and crime.

Producer Joseph Kwong and cameraman Peter Stone drop the viewer right into the thick of the exuberant frenzy of music and faith at a typical Sunday service conducted by Bishop Benjamin Crouch, the Louis Armstrong-throated shouter who founded Christ Memorial 36 years ago.

They also capture Crouch and such parishioners as radio station KFI General Manager Howard Neal walking the sidewalks, preaching at or joining hands and praying with the “crack” pushers. Other parishioners put their faith into action, singing and preaching to county prisoners or conducting prayer meetings at a crime-infested housing project.

Stone’s excellent and often artful camera work is surpassed only by the jumping, spirited gospel music that comes from soloists, choirs and Crouch’s Grammy-winning children, gospel superstars Andrae and Sandra Crouch.

Sandra, during an interview in a recording studio, musically demonstrates the difference between pop and gospel. They say, “Baby, baby, baby,” she sings funkily over a popping rhythm track; we say, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” and she sings the words exactly the same way over the same funky music. It’s one of several magical musical moments that include rapping Brother Timothy.

“Hallelujah” is a friendly profiling of Crouch and his congregation. No effort is made to question their beliefs or their methods or to analyze the efficacy of their well-intended social good works.

In a way, it’s like an extended, soulful gospel video that’s also a warm tribute to Bishop Crouch and his flock.