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Gospel extravaganza lifts crowd

Homecoming week began on a spiritual note. The Favrot Student Union Board and Baptist Collegiate Ministry sponsored Gospel Explosion 2009.

“I love that the students were more involved this year,” said Sharoma Scurry, a member of both the FSUB and Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

Scurry, a Queens native majoring in sociology, has been part of the FSUB since her freshman year and BCM 2007.

“The event itself showed spiritual growth throughout the university and community.”

Being part of a religious organization on campus, helped Scurry to realize that students need to have something fun and spiritual.

“We [Christians] can still have fun while worshipping and be involved in university’s activities,” she said.

With this in mind, BCM and FSUB tried to select student-led groups to perform.

Other groups were selected by students, members of the surrounding communities, faculty and staff.

Performers included both BCM’s Fine Arts Ministry and praise team, Instruments of His Praise, Entourage, CHOC Movement, Campus Community Worship Center Praise Team, Greater Purpose Worship, Louisiana Tech’s gospel choir and Sean Kelley and Victory.

Hostess, Nyomi Lyttle kept the show running.

Little feels that God used the BCM and FSUB as an avenue to get students to come together to fellowship and praise Him.

“Students need to be supported by a spirit-led university,” Little shares.

“And it was good to make this activity a part of homecoming…”

The crowd was uplifted by selections such as Tye Tribett’s “Bless the Lord,” Hezekiah Walker’s “Lift Him Up,” Ricky Dillard’s “Search Me Lord,” Yolanda Adam’s “Even Me.”

Omar Jones’ arrangement of a Kirk Franklin medley, “High Praise,” “I Got a Reason,” “Blessed,” “How Great Thou Art,” a medley of songs about Jesus continued to elelvate the crowd to a higher rhelm.

“Pain,” a song composed by GSU student James Shelby didn’t fail to please.

Another highlight of hte event, was the gospel jam session featuring old and new gospel songs by artists such as Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary.

Anthony Cheathem, of Greater Purpose Worship Ensemble, and his group got the crowd moving with their up tempo version of “High Praise.”

Cheathem said his group was founded to promote and create awareness for students to show them they can be young and live for the Lord.

“We want to let our light so shine that men may see the God in us,” he said.

David Ponton, director of FSUB, said that the gospel explosion was phenomenal and a great way to start the homecoming activities.

“I was really happy with the number of students who turned out. The performances were tremendous. Anybody who attended had to leave spiritually filled,” Ponton proclaimed.

“I would like to thank Sharoma Scurry, FSUB and BCM for all their hard work and for making it an outstanding event.”

Freshamn, Dexter Tardy raved about the experience.

“It is great when we can get together and sing and praise the Lord at the same time,” Tardy shared.

Tardy went on to share his the level of enjoyment he always feel when he listens to Entourage.

“They do their thing. They always perform well,” said the CIS major from Belzoni, Miss.

D’Ann Harris, vice president of Entourage, said the gospel explosion was “an awesome Holy Ghost-filled experience.”
“There were a lot of young people unafraid to worship the Lord. It was a time to reflect on how good God has been,” testified Harris.

Sharoma Scurry shared that a lot of students are looking forward to this event being held next semester.

“I am excited. A lot of adults are excited too. They said that it was a really good job and we need more events like the Gospel Explosion,” Scurry proclaimed.