Gospel group SoulFruit shook the roof of Trinity United Methodist Center on Oct. 1.
What better way to begin the month than with GSU Campus Ministry’s Third Annual Gala Explosion.
“A Soulful Evening of Sounds and Sights” was jump-started with sign singing from Grambling alumna Cortney Culton. SoulFruit then hit the stage, performing an acapella rendition of “Lift Every Voice,” then boosted the energy level and audience spirits with songs that demanded crowd-participation.
“Dance, shout, turn this place out,” echoed off the walls as everybody worshipped God.
The Rev. Jeff Sanford and his wife joined in the excitement with renditions of classic hymns, “Yes Jesus Loves Me” and “Amazing Grace.”
The Psalms 150 scripture was evident in the house that night with the various ways people praised God.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words took the stage next, giving their moving and soul-stirring praise dance to Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr singers’ “Set the Atmosphere.”
The crowd was not ready for the wisdom and gentle yet powerful demeanor of Madear Malone as she presented “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson, leaving everyone with words that nourished the soul.
More acts from Campus Community Worship Center followed, and a hallelujah-shouting skit from Little Miss Juneteenth, LaRay Poland, as she acted out Vickie Winans’ “As Long As I Got King Jesus” followed.
Monique Thompson shared her high-range opera vocals to the crowd singing the hymn “I Surrender All.”
Deafinately Heard was self-explanatory as the group signed to “Close to You” by BeBe & CeCe Winans and “I Need You Now” by Smokie Norful.
As SoulFruit hit the stage again to finish up the night, they wowed the audience with tight choreography and pizzazz!
“Clap your hands” was an understatement with this youthful, eye-catching gospel group.
Trinity UMC’s illuminated display said it all, “Extravagant, Radical, Passionate, Intentional, and Risk-Taking.” No denying, that Gala Explosion was “The Gift that Made the Difference.