Interview with Kris Brossett, North Hollywood

The heart of TogetherLA is to create a movement of people of faith who intimately know the depth of LA and long to step into what God is doing to transform communities across this city. With more than 80 neighborhoods in Los Angeles, our hope is to spotlight areas throughout the city, understand the culture and lean into God’s work.

Kris Brossett - writer, pastor, speaker, entrepreneur - has been embedded in North Hollywood for years. His life has been unconventional to some, but it has allowed him the opportunity to know personally many of the myriad facets that make up life in NoHo. We had the privilege of catching up with him to learn more about his journey and the iconic neighborhood he calls home.

TogetherLA: You describe yourself as a speaker, writer, ambassador, entrepreneur, and church planter, among other things. What do you fill your time with these days?

Kris Brossett: Currently, I’m praying about the next move. I just finished a project in North Hollywood where I developed the concept for a specialty coffee shop inside of Amp Rehearsal Studios and project-managed its development and launch. You can see a video detailing a lot of what we did here (https://www.facebook.com/corban.lundborg/posts/10158566556417436).

I also fill my time with writing. As a starter, I don’t usually lack the motivation to get my hands dirty and do something new. However, I haven’t felt the green light to run in any particular direction this season. Although, I’m sensing that may change soon. At the moment, I took a regular job in order to let that process take its course.

TogetherLA: Tell us a little about the history of North Hollywood?

Kris Brossett: This question is hard to answer. It really depends on “which” North Hollywood you’re talking about. Like many neighborhoods in Los Angeles, the demographics, history, and culture of the neighborhood can change from block to block. For instance, North Hollywood has been saturated with gangs and poverty for many years. However, it has also been a major hub for the music industry. If you drive down Sherman Way, the sheer amount of Thai restaurants will cause you to think you’re in Thai Town. Similarly, the Armenian community recognizes North Hollywood as a major hub in Los Angeles. In the past, Valley Village, Valley Glen, and NoHo Arts District were all considered North Hollywood. But as the neighborhoods changed, the residents desired to distinguish themselves from the reputation of North Hollywood. By creating a new community, they could benefit economically from the separation. This is the LA way. Unfortunately, churches haven’t always acknowledged this reality.

TogetherLA: What is your personal history with North Hollywood?

Kris Brossett: I’ve been in and out of North Hollywood since my teenage years. I was a member of one of the gangs in North Hollywood and hung out there as a youth. In recent years, I was a pastor in North Hollywood for around 6 years until our church closed its doors. Unfortunately, when we planted the church we weren’t prepared for the transience, the young population of our community, and the amount of resources that would be required to maintain a church in this community for the long haul.

TogetherLA: What keeps you involved in North Hollywood?

Kris Brossett: Actually, North Hollywood is hard for me in this season. It’s changing so fast and many of the people we set out to reach are getting priced out. Some of those dynamics hurt my soul. I initially went back to North Hollywood to start a church because I felt I owed it to my community. I wreaked havoc on the city and didn’t want to walk away from the hood. More recently, I’ve felt released from North Hollywood. I don’t know what that means, but I’ve been exploring the idea. Perhaps my feeling is rooted in pain? That’s why I’ve been taking some time to pray, listen, and explore what the Lord has next. 

TogetherLA: What has the spiritual pulse of the neighborhood been in the past?

Kris Brossett: There’s a lot of darkness in North Hollywood. It’s an extremely influential community and the spiritual warfare can be felt. That can be said of the entire region surrounding North Hollywood. I’ve never felt the resistance that we've felt in North Hollywood at any time in my life. At the same time, a lot of people are open to spirituality. People aren’t usually angry at God. Instead, they’re confused about who God is. Unfortunately, that can become even more confusing when the Church fails to address these misconceptions or exists for its own propagation. For many good reasons, the Church has come alongside the people of North Hollywood. There are good churches that truly love people. However, I think the Church in North Hollywood needs to press in deeper. Just because an individual has an experience doesn’t mean the individual knows his or her part in bringing about the Kingdom in the world. Ultimately, that’s the goal and it requires digging deep and confronting idolatry and individualism. Again, that doesn’t make up the totality of the Church in North Hollywood. Yet, it’s very prevalent.

TogetherLA: What is the state of the Church in North Hollywood?

Kris Brossett: Honestly, I don’t know what God is up to specifically. I see some really good things happening and I see a lot that isn’t happening as well. I think there's a major disconnect between the churches in the city. The churches are just as segregated as the community, and often, even perpetuate or play into that segregation. Most people are happy to know that things are happening in the lives of people. Yet, they fail to see how these people are part of people groups, communities, and cultures. Many people in North Hollywood are uninformed about North Hollywood altogether. Because of the entertainment industry, many people don’t plan on establishing roots and don’t find it important to participate in the life of the community – working towards its transformation. At the same time, I know that God is always working, even if I can’t see where or how. I do know of some new churches that are doing a lot to serve the people of North Hollywood and I’m encouraged by them.

TogetherLA: Let’s talk about COVID. You wrote an article back in May on your website encouraging people to not resist the changes God has brought during this pandemic. What changes and opportunities do you see in this season?

Kris Brossett: Ha. I have a sneaky suspicion that God is prying our hands off of some things. I think some people are starting to realize that this thing isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, I’m confident of it. Still, some people are itching to get back to what they consider normal and see this whole thing as a roadblock instead of a bridge. Maybe God wants to take us down another path? I also think the Church is being purged and exposed. People see through professionals putting on a show, others are confronted with how they want a show, and all of our hopes are being revealed for what they truly are. Do we really believe what we say we believe? Can we offer that peace to the world? Are we living in such a way? It’s also interesting how the community group model has taken off over the last twenty years. It’s almost like we’re prepared. With that, I’m seeing some Christians, Churches, Pastors, and Ministry Leaders respond extremely well. I’m interested to see how the next twenty years play out.

TogetherLA: How would you encourage the Church to embrace this uncomfortable season?

Kris Brossett: I would encourage the Church to pay attention to what is uncomfortable. What does it teach you? Where does it lead you? What is the Spirit speaking in this season? I would also encourage the Church to resist the temptation to fight the changes, to force that which was to be what currently is, and to explore the possibilities of what can be. This will take courage. It will also require some things to die. We can’t try to resuscitate that which God is actively killing.

TogetherLA: Some have said God seems to be bringing a reckoning in regards to racial injustices, systemic racism, etc. How is the NoHo community reacting to all that is going on?

Kris Brossett: This issue is complex. If we’re honest, we’re all going to bring our lived experience into how we understand what is going on. Personally, I’m encouraged, discouraged, hopeful, and watchful. I have family who have experienced racial injustices, my uncle was killed by the police, and I have family in law enforcement. Many times, I’m just trying to pay attention to whom I’m listening to and attempting to discern what my responsibility is as a Kingdom citizen in the world. Mainly, I wonder what people expected would happen.

As for America, I don’t really know how hopeful I am or what will make things better. I think we’re reaping what was sowed – perhaps a reckoning. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t work towards Kingdom ideals – we should. There are things we must say and must do. As Christians, we don’t get to be silent in the face of injustice. Yet, we also aren’t required to speak when everyone says that we should.

If I consider what God is doing, I believe he’s saying, “I see you!” Those are healing words to those who are victims of injustice. However, there are other forces at work vying for our allegiance and saying other things. As always, God and evil are working simultaneously. It takes prayer and discernment to ensure we’re batting for the right team. In this way, I can celebrate the good that is taking place and resist the pressure to do what all the cool kids are doing. With that, plenty of people are showing up ready to play. Unfortunately, I’m often surprised when I see the team emblem on the front of their jersey.

TogetherLA: You can find more from Kris, including his thoughts on current events facing the Church, at krisbrossett.com.