MTV NEWS (MTV)
08.16.2004 9:24 AM EDT Michael Jackson Makes Surprise Visit To Sunday School ChildrenMichael Jackson, Steve Harvey, Jackson's brother Randy and Jackson's attorney Tom Mesereau Jr. surprised a group of 35 Sunday school children when they made an unannounced appearance at a Los Angeles church this weekend. On Sunday, the day before a court date that will pit Jackson against prosecuting attorney Tom Sneddon, the group visited the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles' preeminent black church. On his Web site, Jackson wrote of the visit: "It was wonderful to be received with so much love today by the First AME Church of Los Angeles. I thank my brother Randy and Pastor Cecil Murray for inviting me. "God has always been in my heart and a part of my life and my family's lives," he continued. "It is through Him that we draw our strength. As a child, my mother taught me the value of prayer, and today it is still a part of my daily life." Asked about his visit by ABC's "Good Morning America," Jackson said simply that he appeared at the church to "worship and see the children." One girl asked Jackson if the children could visit him at his Neverland Ranch, and Jackson told her, "You're welcome to come anytime." CBS NEWS (CBS)
SANTA MARIA, Calif., Aug. 16, 2004 Jackson made a surprise visit to Los Angeles' pre-eminent black church Sunday, which legal experts said was an effort to boost his reputation ahead of the showdown with Sneddon. Jackson's appearance at First AME Church in South Los Angeles the day before his attorney was to challenge Sneddon in court also raised eyebrows. "Jackson has never been involved with the African-American community in the past," said Steve Cron, a defense attorney who has been following the case. "I can't imagine why else he would suddenly get religion." ABC NEWS (ABC)
Aug. 16, 2004ABC News' Jessica Yellin was with Jackson and asked him what brought him to the First AME Church. "To worship and see the children," he said. "Did you enjoy the service?" Yellin asked. "I loved it," Jackson said.
08.16.2004 9:24 AM EDT Michael Jackson Makes Surprise Visit To Sunday School ChildrenMichael Jackson, Steve Harvey, Jackson's brother Randy and Jackson's attorney Tom Mesereau Jr. surprised a group of 35 Sunday school children when they made an unannounced appearance at a Los Angeles church this weekend. On Sunday, the day before a court date that will pit Jackson against prosecuting attorney Tom Sneddon, the group visited the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles' preeminent black church. On his Web site, Jackson wrote of the visit: "It was wonderful to be received with so much love today by the First AME Church of Los Angeles. I thank my brother Randy and Pastor Cecil Murray for inviting me. "God has always been in my heart and a part of my life and my family's lives," he continued. "It is through Him that we draw our strength. As a child, my mother taught me the value of prayer, and today it is still a part of my daily life." Asked about his visit by ABC's "Good Morning America," Jackson said simply that he appeared at the church to "worship and see the children." One girl asked Jackson if the children could visit him at his Neverland Ranch, and Jackson told her, "You're welcome to come anytime." CBS NEWS (CBS)
SANTA MARIA, Calif., Aug. 16, 2004 Jackson made a surprise visit to Los Angeles' pre-eminent black church Sunday, which legal experts said was an effort to boost his reputation ahead of the showdown with Sneddon. Jackson's appearance at First AME Church in South Los Angeles the day before his attorney was to challenge Sneddon in court also raised eyebrows. "Jackson has never been involved with the African-American community in the past," said Steve Cron, a defense attorney who has been following the case. "I can't imagine why else he would suddenly get religion." ABC NEWS (ABC)
Aug. 16, 2004ABC News' Jessica Yellin was with Jackson and asked him what brought him to the First AME Church. "To worship and see the children," he said. "Did you enjoy the service?" Yellin asked. "I loved it," Jackson said.