"Steps to Glory:" With Good Gospel Music, Anything is Possible!

It's no secret that gospel music often provides the glue that holds a spiritual house together.

That's the case in Kingsport, where several gospel groups came together to perform at the first "Steps to Glory" gospel fest, held at the Kingsport Renaissance Center. The event was held on Saturday, May 10th.

Gospel playwright Helen Howard organized the gathering of well-known gospel groups.

"Every gospel song has a message in it," she says. "If you get the message and the Holy Spirit gets you, then you know what to do with your life, and what to live for. We want people to jump on their feet, we want them to shout, we want them to do whatever they can to praise the Lord."

She went on.. "The music has always been an extention of church.. it's the work of the Lord. People need to know that Jesus is coming back one day, and we need to be ready. We need to be prepared. Gospel music is a ministry, just like preaching. Today's ministry is getting the gospel out there, through music and plays."

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE SPECIAL VIDEO WELCOME FROM REV. DONNIE WADE


http://youtu.be/22CqZviNPOE

The gospel fest at the Renaissance Center was packed. Both New Beginnings pastor Billy Pearson and Rev. Donnie Wade of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Rotherwood welcomed the faithful.

"People here just like good, ole-fashioned gospel music," says Mrs. Howard. "It's one step closer to God. Anything we can do to bring Glory to God, and show who He is, and that He's Ruler over our lives, that's what we should do."

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR A VIDEO CLIP FROM THE NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN CHOIR


http://youtu.be/7opF7urWKk8


The groups that sang the praises of God were the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Choir, from the New Beginnings Church in Kingsport... the New Vision Youth Dancers... the Devoted Gospel Group... the Mabry Singers... and Uncle Jesse Battle and the Sands of Time, the group that Mrs. Howard manages.

"The New Beginnings Church.. that's my home church," Mrs. Howard says. "What makes them special is that anybody who knows New Beginnings, they know it's loaded with love."

"When you come there, you're right at home, and you're loved."

Praise dancing was done by members of the New Vision Youth, headed by director Johnnie Mae Swagerty. The main group of more than 50 elementary, middle and high school students focuses on well-rounded, Christian fellowship, with an emphasis on friendship and community involvement. The praise dancers have performed all over the Tri-Cities in churches, schools, and community gatherings.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR A VIDEO CLIP FROM THE NEW VISION YOUTH


http://youtu.be/_nzmGczdQj8

"Johnnie Mae does a wonderful job with these young people," Mrs. Howard says, whose 2 granddaughters are in the New Vision Youth group. "This group has got a message.. that you don't have to bow to peer pressure and do the wrong thing. They've got great attitudes and positive minds. When they dance, they put themselves into the struggles that all young people face."

Mrs. Howard says, soon, she'll be working with Swagerty and the group in performing plays that raise peoples' spirits and continue the blessings of the Lord.

She was particularly impressed by the talents of one New Vision Youth member.

"Javonte Lyons has an awesome voice," says Mrs. Howard. "Every time I see that gifted young man, he's singing the Lord's praises. He's not shy, and if you call on him, he's ready to give it his all."

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR A VIDEO CLIP OF JAVONTE SINGING

http://youtu.be/zpkykp9HlWw

"He's a good example of what happens when you encourage young people.. give them the opportunity to shine.. give them the chance to use the talents that God has given them. Giving them that chance, lets them shine."

Devoted is a gospel group that's familiar to audiences in upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. They're from Russell's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Rogersville, TN.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR A VIDEO CLIP FROM DEVOTED

http://youtu.be/yXklUZ2d6A8

"We did a program at the Lee Street Baptist Church in Bristol," says Mrs. Howard, "and that's where I met this talented group. I liked their voices and the way they blend together. What makes them unique is that the church pastor, Rev. Pamela Hoard, is a member of the singing group. That is always a plus when it comes to church singing.. when the pastor can sing, and puts their voice together with other great voices in the choir.. that's a special thing."

The Mabry Singers are a family of excellent voices. Literally.

This talented group from Hansonville, VA is composed of father, mother, and their two daughters.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR A VIDEO CLIP FROM THE MABRY FAMILY

http://youtu.be/ntWnYZNk1Rw

"I met them not long ago," says Mrs. Howard.' I went to their church and listened to them sing, and they were awesome, awesome, awesome. The father is a songwriter, and they've been around for a long, long time.. everybody knows them and the messages they spread in their music."

"Their familiar blend of gospel music is well-known, and that's a good thing. Sometimes, you need the familiar to understand the Word."

Uncle Jesse Battle and the Sands of Time brought the crowd to its feet.

And that's a good thing.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR A VIDEO CLIP FROM UNCLE JESSE BATTLE & THE SANDS OF TIME

http://youtu.be/rC7YP_t7AeM

"Jesse Battle is indeed a man of God," Mrs. Howard says of the man from Atlanta that she also serves as manager. "He's a man that believes that whatever talent the Lord has given you, you need to use it. Use it or lose it. He knows how to sing to an audience of the faithful. He brings life to his songs, and every song has a message in it. Jesse's singing is easy to write plays to, because he just motivates the people.

This was the first in Mrs. Howard's Steps to Glory Production, which specializes in Christian plays and musical concerts.

"Not only do I write plays that God gives me, I also take Uncle Jesse Battle's music and turn the songs into plays. We have a play coming up here at the Renaissance Center at the end of July. We're also planning a Fun in the Sun day, when we'll sell food, finger painting for the kids. We'll also have something for the seniors, plenty of gospel music, just a little bit of everything.

"We plan on giving back to the community and working with the youth, especially the New Vision Youth, and we also plan on working with the seniors in the area. Anything and everything we can do, to bring Glory to God.. that's what it's all about."

The money raised from the admission is going for that good cause.

"The $5.00 admission will help produce our next play," Mrs. Howard says. "Our plays inspire people to go out and do the Lord's Work. We want them to know that you can have a good time in the Lord, just like you can in the clubs. The difference is, when you leave this earth, we want to spent eternity with Jesus Christ."

"That's our main goal with the plays, and the music."


CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO HEAR MORE FROM THE GROUPS AT THE GOSPEL FEST:

http://youtu.be/_RX0hMye1ac  Uncle Jesse Battle & the Sands of Time

http://youtu.be/dhgjFEDSM8E  New Vision Youth

http://youtu.be/4ISXS1zVjK4   Devoted

http://youtu.be/Dmp1stgwMkA  Mabry Singers

http://youtu.be/NxMlB62D7m8  New Beginnings

http://youtu.be/IYGP73q46R0  Uncle Jesse Battle & the Sands of Time


CLICK BELOW TO SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF THE STEPS TO GLORY GOSPEL FEST

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