Greater Baltimore Hosts Historic Church Service at the African American Heritage Festival

This past Sunday, June29th, God was glorified in an incredible way in the city of Baltimore. The African American Heritage Festival, which has become the premiere African American Festival on the East Coast, celebrated its 7^th year in Baltimore, with more than 300,000 coming to the weekend’s events, which included entertainment from top artists, health and job fairs, food, and vendors.  This was also an historic year in that it was the first time that a Sunday worship service was incorporated into the Festival.  Sunday's worship service and gospel concert was also an historic event for the Greater Baltimore Church of Christ as well, as the church was asked to host this first ever event.  Through the efforts of Darlene McCain, one of the organizers of the festival and member of the church, God opened this incredible door In spite of a prediction of rain and thunderstorms God brought out the sun (and the heat) as the worship service was led by Ray Kabia and the AWE ministry praise and worship team, as well as several artists from South Carolina to New York City.   http://www.myspace.com/aahfsundayconcert.

David Brown, associate evangelist of the Greater Baltimore Church of Christ preached a powerful message to several hundred church members and onlookers.  Al Essien, program director of HOPE Baltimore, was able to share abut the local HOPE projects  The entire 2 and ½ hour praise and worship service was broadcast live by the local gospel station, Heaven 600 AM.

In addition the church made a $1000 donation to the festival foundation to support their efforts in the Baltimore community.  Coverage of the service was provided by the local NBC affiliate as well as several other local media outlets.

Ray Kabia, Praise and Worship leader with GBCOC declared powerfully “This is the day, that the Lord has made,” before an enthusiastic crowd of worshippers and AAHF attendees. 
In addition to the worship team from Baltimore, we were blessed with several other outstanding artists from our fellowship of churches.  Click here to watch.

Among those were gospel artist CJay Philips (NYCOC), a gifted singer, actress, producer and dance choreographer, who has landed roles Off Broadway and in national tours as well as on Broadway itself, in such hits as Big and Hairspray. CJay has been called upon to choreograph live shows for Pop, R&B, and Latin artists, television specials and numerous special events. She choreographed the 2000 McDonald's Gospel Fest that aired on NBC and won an Emmy that year.

She also choreographed The History of Gospel Music and Your Arms Too Short To Box With God at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. In 2007 she was one of only six choreographers chosen to be showcased at Dance Break a breeding ground for the next generation of Broadway choreographers. You can check out her new show named CJay's Gospel Groove currently airs on the web at www.cjaysgospelgroove. 

We were also blessed with The Elements, a Hip-Hop crew of disciples from South Carolina that thrives on self-expression and individuality.  Recently the group opened for national recording artist Kanye West at the Colonial Center in Columbia, SC. In addition, BIG CITY a Holy Hip-Hop artist from the Philadelphia Church, performed and strove to present a musicalalternative to the negativity that quickly consumes our youth and society, BIG CITY'S goal is to rebuild what was lost through uplifting, self-examining music that will change the way we think about life. Also from Philadelphia, Paul Eaton, one of the worship leaders of the church there, who has performed around the world for top dignitaries and with top artists blessed us with his unique talents. 

Finally, Jeff Murrell from New Jersey rounded out the Praise and Worship part of the service with his own dynamic gospel music.  http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=97499757

It was truly a hot day in every sense of the word.  The disciples in Baltimore were inspired and encouraged by the service and their vision for the impact that the church can have in the city of Baltimore was greatly expanded.  Many lives were touched, great relationships with community leaders were built, and most of all God was glorified.  To cap off this incredible moment, the director of the Festival asked the Greater Baltimore Church of Christ to take over the committee that organizes and plans the 5 hour gospel portion of the festival for next years event.  To God be the glory.