The Los Angeles faith community is mourning the passing of Rev. Dr. Joseph Benjamin Hardwick—beloved pastor, visionary leader, and advocate for spiritual and social transformation—who died on June 13 at the age of 93.
Affectionately known as “The Godfather” of the faith community, Dr. Hardwick was the founder and longtime pastor of Praises of Zion Baptist Church, a South Los Angeles institution he established 55 years ago and built into a full-service community hub affectionately dubbed “Praise City.” He also served as president of the Western Baptist State Convention, representing more than 300 churches across California. His ministry was rooted in a deep commitment to faith, family, and community, with more than 30 outreach programs that included mental health services, a foster care and adoption center, youth mentorship, SAT prep, and a county-run Family Preservation program.
Dr. Hardwick’s influence extended far beyond his pulpit. He was a trusted counselor to elected officials, a key figure in civic coalitions, and a fierce advocate for social justice. Whether standing with civil rights leaders like Rev. Jesse Jackson or hosting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his final visit to Los Angeles, Dr. Hardwick’s ministry bridged the sacred and the social. His church even served as a headquarters for Gov. Pat Brown during the Watts riots and played a role in high-profile cases such as Leonard Deadwyler’s trial—chronicled in Johnnie Cochran’s Journey to Justice.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in a large family of 13 siblings, Hardwick felt the call to ministry early in life—though he initially resisted it. After earning teaching credentials and becoming the first Black store manager at Safeway, he ultimately yielded to what he described as an “uncontrollable desire” to preach. “You were called before you were conceived,” he often said. “And God reveals the time.”
He founded Praises of Zion with just 29 members at a small house on Hooper Avenue. Over the decades, it blossomed into a spiritual epicenter stretching a full city block, home to a school, childcare center, gymnasium, and more. He believed the success of a church lay not in doctrine alone but in “ministries and teaching,” shifting the model from membership to discipleship.
“He brought this community together,” said Rev. Dr. Tyrone Skinner, his spiritual son and designated successor. “He taught us that real change happens when you show up for the community—not just spiritually, but socially and economically.” Skinner, who has been mentored by Dr. Hardwick since his teenage years, described him as a surrogate father and credited him with launching his ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church. “He instructed me all the way to the end. This loss is not just for our church—it’s for all of us in the faith.”
Other tributes poured in from across the region. “In the words of Scripture, a mighty oak tree has fallen,” said Pastor Xavier Thompson. “Dr. Hardwick is the kind of faith leader that only comes once in a generation. There will be others, but he is irreplaceable.” Pastor K.W. Tulloss called him “an icon” whose investment in other pastors left a lasting legacy. “He constantly blessed us with his time, wisdom, and resources,” Tulloss said. “I’ll never forget what he poured into me and my family.”
Dr. Hardwick was proudly “old school”—a traditional Baptist who valued loyalty, integrity, and pastoral stability. His motto: “One church, one pastor, one first lady.” He was deeply influenced by his early years at Greater New Zion Baptist Church under the late Rev. Thomas P. De Moss and by the preaching of Dr. J. Raymond Henderson of Second Baptist Church. His love for ministry and community service remained unwavering even as he faced personal loss, having buried his parents and all of his brothers. Only two sisters survive him.
Though his leadership style could be unapologetically direct, it was always underscored by compassion and a desire to uplift. “There are some things I wish I could have done better,” he once said, “but like the book says, I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.”
Rev. Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick leaves behind a profound legacy of faith, mentorship, and community empowerment that will resonate for generations to come. Funeral arrangements and memorial details will be announced by Praises of Zion Baptist Church in the coming days.