It was a fashion show, more unique in the terms of the models themselves and not so much their what they were wearing.
Local ministers were the featured attractions at the first annual Ministers Fashion Show in Johnson City.
The idea of a fashion show focusing on local preachers, grew from an idea at the St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Johnson City, where Barbara Watterson is a member.
"We were meeting at the church one day in the Missionary Society," she says, "trying to figure out 'what kind of program could we do that we haven't done before?' I thank God that the idea just popped into my head 'well, why don't we do a fashion show with the ministers.. maybe let them model their finest clothes?' The other church members looked me like I was crazy. I reminded them that we were looking for something that had never been done before."
Watterson says, a few minutes went by, "and then something must have clicked. Somebody said 'well, let's try it, let's go for it."
"I guess the rest is fashion history."
Although scheduling and frequent problems with the weather abounded, the idea of showcasing ministers in a setting other than the church pulpit, was something that made the fashion show concept an intriguing one.
"We see them when we need prayer, we see them when they're preaching the Gospel," Watterson says, "we see them comforting the families at funerals, and joining couples in holy matrimony. But we never see them as people, as human beings. Don't forget.. that was the beauty of Jesus. He was the Son of God, sent down from Heaven to walk among us, to live among us, to be One with us. He rejoiced with us, He cried with us, He suffered with us. He did that while he was ONE of us."
"Our ministers are people, too," she continued. "They want to get out and be amongst the people and be involved in things in the community, but we don't ever think to ask them. We don't ever want to bother them with things in the community because we don't think they would be interested, but they just might be. They have lives, too. I think it's beautiful when we can showcase our ministers in a positive light away from the church."
The fashion show was just the ticket for that.
Participating were the Reverend Irving H. Greene, pastor of the Robinson Memorial AME Zion Church in Bluff City...... the Reverend George Kukubor, pastor of the White Memorial AME Zion Church in Middlesboro, Kentucky.... Bishop Dr. Amos W. Gbaq, Sr., of the International Christian Fellowship of Johnson City..... Pastor James Reddick of the Hood Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and Presiding Elder of the Johnson City District.... and the Reverend Dr. James A. Snapp, pastor of the Jones Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Greeneville.
Reverend Greene was first on the runway. His first ensemble consisted of a pure wool black business suit by Oleg Cassini, surrounding a gray dress shirt by John W. Norstram. The tie was a 100% silk handmade tie, with a polka-dot pocket piece. His black dress shoes were made by Stacy Adams, and he was supported by a brass duckbill cane. Reverend Greene topped it all off with a short bring black felt hat, from Knox of 5th Avenue.
To the delight of the audience, he proclaimed that he "is about His Father's Business."
Next on the runway, Reverend Kukubor is a native of Ghana. His dress outfit is a Soldier of Ashanti Golden Stool, him being a Holy Man of the Golden Stool.
Ghana is one of Africa's most developed countries, with a predominately Christian religious background, with Muslim also practiced.
The audience was mesmerized by the strikingly beautiful suit modeled by the Middlesboro minister.
Next up, Bishop Gbaq claims the African nations of Liberia and Ghana in his history, as well as Johnson City, Tennessee.
The audience was astounded and excited to learn that the Bishop "made everything that he wore in the fashion show."
Pastor Reddick's ensemble consisted of a single-breasted suit with brown stripes. It was complimented with matching tie and matching shoes.
The suit is by Alan Lebow, tailored for Blakely Mitchell.
The special shoes are from Allen Edmons by Winhall.
Pastor Reddick considers himself "fit to be a part of the crowd."
Finally, the Reverend Dr. Snapp made his way down the runway. He wore a black and grey long coat suit, made by Giorgio Capella.
His hat was fashioned by Lite Felt, and the custom shoes were made by Nunn Bush.
Reverend Snapp took time to thank the audience for coming out and more so, for allowing all of the preachers to be themselves. That was representative of all the members of the clergy in the fashion show.
An extra added treat for the event, was the "presentations" by "T.D. Jakes" portrayed by Eric Black... "Creflo Dollar" played by Anthony Hill, and "Fred Price" was Angelo Newman. All of the "presentations" were about money, and all of them created laughter and "amen's" from the audience.
"We didn't want ministers playing ministers," says Watterson. "These are just lay people, hard workers in their churches. We wanted to have a little levity that folks could identify with, during the break while the ministers changed into their other fashions."
The ministers in their second set of clothes were also hits with the group as well. Afterwards, a wonderful meal awaited the audience members in a spirit of fellowship remeniscent of many church gatherings.
All in all, a wonderful, different kind of gathering that Watterson wants to do again, given how well received this first event was. She wants to involve the women leaders in the churches for the next one.
"Our ministers looked so good in their robes and their dress outfits," she says. "They're sharp dressers because of their upbringings."
Given the weather reschedulings, "the Lord just makes a way," she proclaimed. "If He wants it done, it just gets done in His Way. The people enjoyed the fellowship and seeing their ministers as people."
"Let them be in the limelight.. let them be seen as people just like everybody else."
