This February (Black History Month) will witness a plethora of culturally enriching community and church celebrations to help the masses gain a deeper understand of the phenomenal contributions made by African Americans. Where would America be without the sound of Gospel Music?
From “Precious Lord” to “Oh Happy Day” and beyond, Gospel music has always been a staple of American culture. Over the eight decades since Thomas A. Dorsey’s “gospels” were sold on sheets of paper for a nickel each to today’s billion-dollar-a-year Gospel industry, Gospel has spilled out from the boundaries of the church into the mainstream.
But there’s new news on the Gospel horizon.
After calling together Gospel artists, songwriters, musicians and pastors to celebrate the Gospel heritage and perpetuate its legacy for the past 19 years, Dr. Teresa Hairston is declaring that its time for change. Hairston, 57, is the founder and president of the Gospel Heritage Foundation. She is a leader, trailblazer and trendsetter in the Gospel idiom. In 1989, she founded Gospel Today, a magazine that became the most widely distributed publication in the history of the Gospel genre. She has hosted and produced Gospel celebrations at the White House and across the world.
“The culture has changed and it’s time for the Church to change as well!” says Hairston. In 2014, Hairston is leading an initiative to champion a philosophy that moves beyond Gospel music, embracing “worship,” She declares, “Worship is a lifestyle, not just a musical style.”
Here’s what that means. First, she says, “Our next generation is a priority. We’ve got to reach out to our young adults and get them excited, involved and immersed in the worship culture of inspiration and empowerment, because it really is a life-inspiring culture!”
Many churches have retreated behind their four walls and are no longer active participants in their communities. There is unprecedented violence, depression and homelessness among teens. College students and young adults are being left behind.
Secondly, “Worship is the answer to racism. Worship breaks racial and denominational barriers. I’m continuing to reach out and invite every nationality to join in with this worship celebration.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously declared at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, in 1968 during his last Sunday sermon before he was assassinated, “We must face the sad fact that at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning when we stand to sing ‘In Christ there is no East or West,’ we stand in the most segregated hour of America.”
Gospel Heritage’s goal is to “transform nations and generations through worship.” At the February 20-22 event, Hairston will host several presenters who echo this new movement that is changing the Church’s worship culture.
Among the presenters will be: Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr (host pastor, pastor of Changing A Generation Church, presenter); Dr. Creflo A. Dollar (keynote speaker, pastor of World Changers Ministries, Atlanta, GA); and Dr. Van Moody (keynote speaker, pastor of The Worship Center, Birmingham, AL). Rounding out the keynote speaker line-up are pioneers, Dr. Jackie McCullough (New York), Dr. Todd Hall (Florida), Bishop Timothy Clark (Ohio) and Dr. Hart Ramsey (Alabama).
Of course, Gospel Heritage is noted for incredible top-flight Gospel music celebrations. This year’s conference will host Grammy and Stellar-Award winning artists: Earnest Pugh, Vashawn Mitchell, William McDowell, Judy McAllister, Richard Smallwood, Kurt Carr and Hezekiah Walker.
Gospel Heritage offers a strong educational component (supervised by Dr. John Guns, Jacksonville, FL). which attracts thousands of pastors and creative arts leaders each year. Daytime sessions are open to registrants, while nighttime events are open to the public. This year, on Friday, February 21, a special late-night Worship Concert will celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary. This will be a ticketed event.
For more information/schedule: [email protected] or gospelheritage.org or call 770.866.2427.
