A Personal Journey
Parishioners filing into the Westside Shepherd of the Hills Community Church in trendy West Los Angeles on Sunday morning probably don't feel any connection to the annual Wild Hog Cook Off in Crowell, Texas.
But the connection is there in the person of C. Frederick Wehba, a Crowell native who went on to become chairman of Los Angeles-based BentleyForbes Corporation and who helped found the congregation that meets in Brentwood's Wadsworth Theater.
Fred Wehba grew up in tiny Crowell, in the heart of what had once been Comanche territory, a prairie town that today boasts it is the Wild Hog Capitol of the World. He rode his bike all over town, worked in his dad's grocery store, played trumpet in the high school band, sang in the choir, and, like most high school kids, dreamed big dreams.
Many of those dreams have now come true. BentleyForbes, the privately-held company Mr. Wehba founded, owns such prestigious commercial properties as the largest Four Seasons in the world, the Dallas Four Seasons Golf Resort and Club, Chicago's Prudential Plaza and Washington D.C's Watergate complex.
Today, from his BentleyForbes office on the 23rd floor of a fashionable Century City office building, Mr. Wehba looks out over the mansions and golf courses of Bel-Air and Beverly Hills. But the good people of Crowell and the wholesome upbringing he received in the town's schools and churches are always close to his heart.
"There was a lot of encouragement and a lot of support from teachers to pastors to scout leaders," said Mr. Wehba, who is an Eagle Scout with Gold Palm. "The whole thing was that you can become whatever you want to become, but you ought to always try to do the right thing."
Mr. Wehba is now a noted philanthropist and along with his wife, Susan, dedicates much of his life to charitable organizations. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Business Leaders, is actively involved in more than 30 charities around the United States and has served in the creation, development and leadership of several Christian churches. He sits on the boards of Cedars Sinai Medical Center and the West Los Angeles Boy Scouts. He is a major contributor to the Beverly Hills High School music program, and was appointed by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan to the board of the Alliance for College-Ready Schools.
Mr. Wehba also has served in various commitments and board positions for the following organizations: California Baptist University; First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills; InChrist Church; The Church at Beverly Hills. He and his wife were honored for their charitable efforts with the Muscular Dystrophy Association's (MDA) Humanitarian Award. The couple was again acknowledged in 2004 by California Baptist University with the Spirit of Excellence award for achievements in philanthropic endeavors. In 2006 the Jeffrey Foundation honored Mr. and Mrs. Wehba.
"I've been blessed with being successful and I don't want to just spend my money on myself, I want to use it to make a difference in people's lives," Mr. Wehba said. "I look for opportunities to create or enhance safe, healthy and wholesome places to raise children that are like the safe, healthy, wholesome places I knew growing up in a small town."
Charitable & Civic Endeavors
Mr. Wehba invites those who are able to donate their time, talent and/or treasure to the following charitable and civic endeavors:
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
Bel Air Presbyterian Church is honored to be in partnership with a unique variety of ministries at work for the Lord in Los Angeles. We invite you and encourage you to get involved in one or more of the outreach opportunities supported by our church.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Two million volunteers are the driving force that enables MDA to accelerate its worldwide research program and provide diagnostic and follow-up care through some 230 clinics nationwide. Volunteers are the backbone of the Association's programs, helping with summer camp, support groups, seminars, Telethon, special events and many other programs.
California Baptist University
Founded in 1950 by the Californa Southern Baptist Convention, California Baptist University is a Christian education system located in Riverside, California and accredited by Wester Associate of Schools and Colleges, California Commision on Teacher Credentialing, Associaton of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, National Association of Schools and Music, and the State of California Board of Registered Nursing. Currently the University enrollment stands at 3,400 with 90 undergraduate majors, 25 graduate majors and a 100% Christian faculty and staff.
CSBC was named "US News and World Report Best Master's College" in 2007. Their spiritual mission states "In addition to being involved in the local community through a variety of service projects and activities, California Baptist University also supports a wide range of highly active international programs. Included are educational partnerships with a number of universities in Europe and Asia. Further, the CBU International Service Projects program annually sends scores of student teams throughout the world to teach and participate in recreation, construction and infrastructure."
First Baptist of Beverly Hills
The First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills, believes in creating a religious community made up of real people and creative worship. Under Pastor Tom Stringfellow, the church holds joyful services geared towards transforming lives and enabling spiritual formation through the good news of Jesus Christ. Most important, the congregation envisions a church where God is honored and glorified in the actions and hearts of each member.
Church Schedule:
Sunday
Sunday School @ 9:45 a.m
Morning Worship @ 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday
Fellowship Dinner @ 6:30 p.m.
Bible Study and Prayer @ 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday
Women's Group @ 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Since our founding in 1902, Cedars-Sinai has focused on providing the highest quality healthcare available. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is composed of more than 2,000 physicians in almost every clinical specialty, 9,000 employees, 2,000 volunteers and 15,000 fundraising support group members. Cedars-Sinai is grateful for the generous support it has received from the public throughout the years. Because of this support, it has become one of the nation's leading healthcare institutions providing the highest level of care for the community it serves.
The Beverly Hills Education Foundation
BHEF's mission is to maintain excellence in the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) through a community partnership that raises revenue to supplement public funding of education. Funds raised are donated to the District to help offset budget deficits.
Jewish Vocational Service
JVS serves people in the greater Los Angeles area who are looking for work, seeking career advancement or are interested in better managing their work environment. A non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization founded in 1930, JVS offers to individuals, businesses and agencies high quality programs related to job seeking, career planning, skills assessment, training and retraining. JVS is committed to helping people help themselves in a caring way that supports human dignity and respects each individual's capabilities and potential. JVS services reach out to disadvantaged populations, which include people on public assistance, dislocated workers, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, high-risk youth, mature workers, and individuals with economic, social, and psychological barriers to employment.
Westside Shepherd of the Hills
It is our mission to serve and reach out to the people of Los Angeles and the world by being a beacon of hope and support, empowering meaningful ministry, and sharing the love and saving power of Christ.
The Dove Foundation
In 1991, the newly founded not-for-profit Dove Foundation began seeking out and promoting family friendly entertainment. The founders, a group of fathers, looked to create a place for families to find movies, television and other entertainment agreeing with their Christian morals and family values. Their mission statement: To encourage and promote the creation, production, distribution and consumption of wholesome family entertainment.
John Wayne Cancer Institute
The Associates for Breast Cancer Studies at The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center is an institute dedicated to the curing and understanding of many types of cancer in order to end patient suffering all over the world. They accomplish their mission through innovative laboratory and clinical research, as well as their dedication to the education of the next generation of oncologists and scientists.
The John Wayne Cancer Institute conducts world-class cancer research by bringing the very best lab discoveries into clinical practice and providing all the best education covering cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
They are dedicated to scientific discovery, innovation and respect.