By JOHN ANTCZAK Associated Press Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The leader of the controversia

By JOHN ANTCZAK Associated Press Writer

   LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The leader of the controversial sports and
religious  group  called Ecclesia told mourners at the funeral of
one of its members that  he  was  suspending  the  organization's
activities for the time being.

   Standing  in  a  pulpit  before  a flower-covered, pink casket
containing the body of 30-year-old Faith Viola Hendrick, the Rev.
Eldridge Broussard Jr. addressed her family and about 100  others
at Pilgrim Congregational Church on Friday.

   "As  of  right now I am taking a leave of absence from what is
called a ministry. ...  Watts Christian Center, Ecclesia -- which
has saw so much alarm, so much misunderstanding -- is about to be
no more for a period of time," he said.

   Ms.   Hendrick   died   Sunday   after   collapsing   at   the
organization's farm  in Oregon.  An Ecclesia spokeswoman said Ms.
Hendrick, an epileptic, had apparently suffered a blood clot in a
lung.  A coroner determined that Ms.  Hendrick  died  of  natural
causes unrelated  to  trauma,  stress  or athletic activity.  The
coroner, however, did not specify the cause.

   Broussard, a  former  Pacific  University  basketball  player,
blames  negative  publicity  about Ecclesia Athletic Association,
which has run into oposition to its plans to set  up  a  training
camp in Oregon.  Neighbors fear it is a repressive church.

   "I  would  be disrespecting the spirit that I represent, and I
will also be disrespecting Faith, if I did not mention  there  is
much  controversy surrounding me ... and surrounding my ministry.
I will dedicate my life to showing why this woman chose to follow
where I was coming from ... until the last breath that she took,"
the somber Broussard told mourners in an emotional voice.

   "I don't apologize for my choices or for hers.    And  at  the
proper  time  I  will  launch  my  own  personal  assault  in the
direction of the instrument that was used for her passing."

   He also said that "an increase of faith will be the result  of
this woman's  passing.  One of the giants of the enemies of faith
will come down as a result of this woman's passing."

   Broussard did not specify the "instrument" or "enemy"  in  his
remarks,  but  said  outside  the small church that "I am somehow
going to demonstrate that this  has  been  associated  with  some
irresponsible media coverage."

   However, Ecclesia spokeswoman Carolyn Von Brunt said Broussard
blames  Portland  television station KOIN, the Los Angeles Times,
the Portland Oregonian, Newsweek and other news organizations for
inaccurate reporting that caused stress and  contributed  to  Ms.
Hendrick's death.

   Ms.  Von  Brunt  said  Ms.   Hendrick's epileptic episodes had
diminished until the recent controversy erupted.

   Ms.  Hendrick was also  eulogized  by  his  father,  the  Rev.
Robert  Hendrick,  who recounted his last talk with his daughter.
He did not say clearly what it dealt with, noting only that "some
things had transpired."

   "What she wanted to do was make sure  we  held  no  judgments,
that  we  hadn't  judged,"  Hendrick said. "And she made it clear
that she hadn't judged.  And that she was free of all of that  --
so now she  is  free of all of this.  I'm free.  So I hope all of
you will look on this moment in a conscious way, remembering your
relationship with her and go on with your work."

   The Rev.  Ralph Houston, who baptized the woman, recalled  her
life.

   "I  remember when Faith was born and given that name," Houston
said, and in watching her grow "I began to see how well that name
was chosen."

   At the end of the service, mourners filed by the  open  casket
with tears in their eyes.  Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park
in Compton.

   Broussard  founded  the  Watts Christian Center in Los Angeles
about 12 years ago.  He has said Ecclesia  was  formed  to  steer
children away from drugs and crime, motivating them through tough
discipline  and athletic training aimed at qualifying for Olympic
competition.

   About 100 adults and children have moved onto an 18-acre  farm
near Sandy,   Ore.      Neighbors  have  complained  there  is  a
"militaristic" attitude, with children  lining  up  at  attention
every day.

   Late  last  month  Ecclesia  withdrew  a  request to Clackamas
County  for  zoning  variances  for  the  farm,   which   has   a
four-bedroom house and is zoned as a single-family dwelling.

   
Last page !