Homecoming 2010 kicked off with a gospel explosion on Sunday. This event was sponsored by the Favrot Student Union Board (FSUB).Instruments of His Praise was the featured group, and Jessica Alford served as mistress of ceremony. This was the first time a student group was featured. FSUB’s Sharoma Scurry and Kyndra Todd chaired this event.
The first group to perform was Ignite Praise Team, composed of Grambling students and alumni. They sang “For My Good,” “I’m Chasing After You” and “No Other Choice.”
They were followed by Louisiana Tech’s gospel choir, Souls on Fire. They sang “Cry Holy” and a love medley. The group is led by musician Melonnie Walker, who served as one of the musicians for the event.
This year’s explosion also featured poetry. GSU student Justin Williams performed “He Is My Friend.”
“I wrote this poem because before I met Christ, sin told me who I was supposed to be, and I listened,” he said.
The crowd really got into his poem by applauding through various verses. After Williams finished, the audience stood and snapped their fingers to signify that they liked his poem.
Entourage, composed of GSU students, moved the audience with their renditions of Youthful Praise’s “Jesus Reigns,” Donald Lawrence’s “Healed” and Earnest Pugh’s “Rain on Us.”
The audience stood and sang and clapped as Entourage performed.
The last group was Instrument of His Praise. “Lord You’re Worthy,” “Our God Is,” “Lord You’re Mighty” and “Holy Is our God” was in this group’s repertoire.
Bryant Smith, pastor of Campus Community of Ruston, gave the benediction.
Scurry said it is always good to begin Homecoming and Tigerfest with a spirit-filled event.
“If we can go to secular concerts, we should be able to come together and praise together,” she said.
“We have a network. We look for groups that are student-based and spirit-filled,” she said.
“The more we do Gospel Explosion, the more it grows, and more students will be involved,” Scurry said.