You know a program is going to be anointed when even the opening performers are slain in the spirit.

That’s what happened Saturday, August 6, at “Gospel Explosion ’11” at New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana.  TBGB’s Bob Marovich had the honor of being a host presenter alongside Gary’s masterful and beloved M.C. Marvin Lyles of WGVE 88.7.

New Friendship’s Anointed Voices Choir

The kick-off for the church’s 53rd Anniversary, Gospel Explosion featured outstanding singing, starting with New Friendship’s passionate young “ATM” Mime Praise Dancers, who moved to the music and were in turn moved to tears by the Spirit.  Similarly, the church’s own Anointed Voices choir had choristers and attendees both shouting.

It didn’t stop there.

Special guests included the always-amazing Victory Travelers, Minister Tim White (a force of nature!), and the relatively new but nevertheless powerful music ministry of Johnell Nicholas & InSpirit Ministries.

The Victory Travelers’ Harry Bullock (l) sings to
Min. Tim White (r) as Deacon Reuben Burton looks on.

Closing the program was the Greater First Church Chorale.  The gospel chorus from East Chicago, Indiana recently took first place in the Verizon How Sweet the Sound competition for the best church choir in Chicago.  Their performance of “Holy, Holy, Holy” demonstrated the vocal and performance prowess that earned them the accolade.

Congratulations to Pastor Royce F. Thompson, Sr., First Lady (Emeritus) Leatra Holmes, Music Minister Antoinette Gaines and choir President Gwendolyn Royster for a kick-off that truly was an explosion of gospel music!

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Written by : Bob Marovich

Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.