TRAVELING THE RIGHT PATH CAVALRY BAPTIST CHURCH MARKS 50 YEARS WITH MOTORCADE.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

PACOIMA - It's not unusual to see worshippers out of their seats, moving around and dancing, as the Holy Spirit moves them to express their faith and joy during Sunday services at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

``People are uninhibited and free to worship God,'' said Edwin Tucker, chairman of the church's deacon board. ``If you went to a service, you'd say, 'Oh, my goodness! Listen to the singing. Listen to the choir. Listen to the praising.

``We're not high-tech. We're not New Age. I'm from the state of Texas and this church is like down-home to me. It's worshipping God the way I was raised.''

Tucker, a history teacher and football coach at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, attributed the congregation's prosperity to God's will, the 50-year history of the church and the friendliness of its members.

This year, the congregation is marking its 50th anniversary with celebrations including Sunday's re-enactment of a 75-car motorcade that in November 1955 marked its move from its first place of worship - a house on Montford Street - to its current location at Vaughn Street and Dronfield Avenue.

The predominantly African-American congregation was founded by the Rev. Hillery T. Broadous in May 1955, with six members attending its first service.

Today, the congregation has 400 members and takes pride in its preschool and K-12 Calvary Missionary Baptist School, as well as its missionary work in African countries including Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

``I was very much surprised when my husband said he wanted to start a church in Pacoima because there were already several churches in that area. But the Holy Spirit said, 'Yes, yes, yes,''' said Rosa ``Mother'' Broadous, church co-founder and widow of the Rev. Broadous, who died in 1982.

``We've lasted 50 years because we have not only worshipped in the sanctuary but we have been community-minded here, in the greater L.A. area and, even when we were small, we sent missionaries to Africa,'' she said.

Even as the matriarch of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, ``Mother'' Broadous admits to having had some doubts during tough times in her life - but she said she always trusted in the Lord.

``Even though I've been reluctant, I've let God guide me in the right path. What gives me the greatest joy is the changed lives in people who have come to the church.''

From the choir's rousing praise songs to the church deacons' traditional hymns and the ``afterglow'' that members say they experience at the end of services, the congregation is living up to its anniversary theme, ``The Hand of the Lord is Upon Us.''

``We're a Holy Spirit-led church. We're people-oriented. We're loving, hospitable and very lively. You will find the Word here,'' said the Rev. William T. Broadous, who was called in 1980 by the congregation to assist his father at the church.

``This is a congregation that believes in outreach ministries. We're a moving and progressive congregation. The future looks great for us.''

The Rev. William T. Broadous will lead the 7:45 a.m. service and guest speaker the Rev. John Simmons will lead the 10:55 a.m. service Sunday at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 12928 Vaughn St., Pacoima. Before the 4 p.m. service, led by guest speaker the Rev. Perry J. Jones, the 75-car motorcade will be re-enacted from 12986 Montford St. to the current church. A holiday fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

The Rev. William Broadous and his mother, Rosa ``Mother'' Broadous, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cavalry Baptist Church in Pacoima. The church was started by ``Mother'' Broadous and her late husband.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer