Check Out Rev.Eddie Anderson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rev.Eddie Anderson.

Hi Rev.Eddie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Rev. Edward “Eddie” Anderson — a pastor, activist, and believer that faith should move beyond the walls of the church and into the streets where people are hurting. I was born on Warner Robins Air Force Base and raised on the Southside of Atlanta as the youngest of four children to my parents, Rev. Ganus and Priscilla Anderson. My family’s faith, love, and commitment to justice shaped everything about who I am today.

I studied at Morehouse College and later at the Claremont School of Theology, where I learned how to weave theology and justice into one call. Today, I serve as the Senior Pastor of McCarty Memorial Christian Church in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles — a historic congregation known for its deep roots in social change and spiritual renewal.

Beyond the pulpit, I worked as a Regional Organizer for LA Voice, and I’ve had the privilege of co-founding Clergy4BlackLives and helping lead the California Poor People’s Campaign alongside Rev. Dr. William Barber II. I’ve always believed that ministry is about standing with people — sometimes literally standing in the streets, sometimes standing in jail cells — until justice rolls down like waters.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to serve in various roles across the city and my denomination — from the Los Angeles Redistricting Commission to the LA County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative (ARDI) and the Black People Experiencing Homelessness Committee. Within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), I’ve served as President of Youth and Young Adults in the National Convocation, Chair of New Church Development in our region, and most recently, as a member of the General Ethics Commission.

My journey has also led to collaborations like Trust Talks LA, which I co-organized with Rev. Delonte Gholston. It’s a faith-led effort that brings together people from all walks of life — residents of Skid Row, business owners, police, and community leaders — to talk about race, policing, and healing. Seeing that model spread as far as West Virginia reminded me that honest conversation can truly be sacred work.

In 2020, I co-founded the Partnership for Growth Los Angeles Community Development Corporation with Rabbi Joel Simonds. Our goal was simple but ambitious — to partner with local communities to create economic opportunity and food security. Since then, we’ve reached more than 10,000 South LA residents and are preparing to launch the largest urban farm project in our district in over a decade.

My values — faith, coalition, and justice — come from a long line of believers who practiced what they preached, especially my grandfather, Rev. Willie Anderson Sr., a civil rights icon and elected official in South Georgia. His legacy reminds me daily that ministry is never just about me — it’s about continuing the work of those who came before and creating space for those who will come after.

At the end of the day, my proudest titles aren’t “Reverend” or “Chairman” — they’re son, brother, and husband. I’m grateful to be the son of Rev. Ganus and Priscilla Anderson, the little brother to three older siblings, and the husband of Clare Anderson-Fox. And shoutout to my brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc.!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. After graduating from Morehouse College, I found myself in a new city and state, having to rebuild my entire network from the ground up. When I first began pastoring at McCarty, I was living a life filled with both blessings and paradox. I was preaching on Sundays and leading protests during the week — yet, despite working two jobs, I still found myself couch surfing because even with both incomes, I couldn’t afford rent in Los Angeles.

I was only 25 years old, the youngest pastor in McCarty’s history, and I was trying to balance everything at once — pastoring a historic church, organizing in the streets, and learning how to revitalize a congregation that had seen both great glory and deep struggle. It was exhilarating and exhausting all at once.

I was blessed to have mentors like Rev. James Lawson, Rev. Chip Murray, and Rev. Mark Whitlock, who poured wisdom and encouragement into me. But even with their support, it was still hard to navigate a religious and political landscape so deeply entrenched in its ways. There were moments when I questioned whether I was in the right place or if I was making any difference at all.

Looking back, I can honestly say that without faith and community, I would’ve burned out and walked away. But those same struggles taught me something essential — that transformation, whether personal or communal, always comes with tension. You can’t have resurrection without a cross, and I’ve learned to find grace even in the grind.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I see myself as a bridge-builder — between faith and justice, the church and the community, heaven and the here-and-now. I serve as the Senior Pastor of McCarty Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles’ West Adams neighborhood, where our mission is to make faith real — not just something we talk about, but something people can see and feel in the community around them.

My work sits at the intersection of theology, activism, and community development. I’ve spent the last several years organizing around racial justice, housing, and economic equity — leading initiatives that bring together unlikely allies to tackle the big issues facing our city. Whether that’s through LA Voice, Clergy4BlackLives, or the Partnership for Growth Los Angeles, I’m constantly looking for ways to translate moral conviction into measurable impact.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a single event or title — it’s the transformations I’ve witnessed. I’ve seen people who came into the church burned out or broken find their voice again. I’ve seen congregations that were declining rediscover purpose and vitality when they started engaging their neighborhoods again. I’ve seen folks who used to stand on opposite sides of protest lines sit at the same table to talk about repair. I even saw it when I ran for city council and got endorsed by the LA Times, my opponent is now a partner in the work. Those moments remind me why I do this work.

What sets me apart, I think, is that I don’t separate spirituality from social action. For me, preaching and protest are part of the same gospel. I believe faith should confront injustice, comfort the afflicted, and call us to imagine a world that reflects God’s heart for liberation. My approach isn’t about building a big church — it’s about building a beloved community where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to be the change they pray for.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a mix of curiosity, creativity, and community-mindedness. I played basketball in school and was really into technology, learning how to program and tinker with whatever gadgets I could get my hands on. At the same time, I spent a lot of my days serving the community alongside my parents and family, which instilled in me a love for people and a sense that faith should always be active.

I loved music — Outkast, Jagged Edge, Usher, throw in some Gospel, Jazz,neo-soul and hip-hop back in the days when you recorded the songs off the radio for your voicemail — and I was on the step team, so movement and rhythm were a big part of my life. I also loved reading comics and writing poetry, always finding ways to tell stories and bring people together. Whether it was organizing a little gathering or just making sure everyone had a good time, I was drawn to connection.

I was also really into fashion, not just the clothes themselves but the details — how pieces came together, how presentation could communicate something without words. I think all of that — my love for creativity, technology, community, and style — shaped who I am today: someone who sees patterns, possibilities, and people, and wants to bring them all together in meaningful ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mccartychurch.org
• Instagram: eddielanderson

Image Credits
Leroy Hamilton
Rudy Espinoza