It Was Truly a Worship Experience at Brooklyn Tabernacle Concert

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By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir came, saw, touched lives and conquered at the Constant Spring Golf Club, Kingston on August 31, 2002. The inspirational group truly knew how to minister as they sang, testified and opened their hearts to the thousands that turned out.

Alvin Slaughter's sister, Cynthia Green, led in the singing of "So You Should Know" and this had the audience on a spiritual high as many closed their eyes and lifted their hands towards the heavens singing and worshipping.

For two and a half hours, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir ministered, singing favourites such as "We Are United," "Total Praise,"  "You Are, " "He Reigns Forever ," "For Every Mountain," "I Give You Thanks," "Because of Who He Is ," "My Life Is in God "s Hands," "Rejoice," "These Are The Days of Elijah," and "I Worship Him. "

The singing of "We Are United" was so nice that Brooklyn Tabernacle's host, Pastor Jim Cymbala invited the group to do it all over again - much to the crowd's delight as they sang and danced heartily along.

In fact, whatever the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir did was perfect as far as the worship hungry crowd was concerned. As Pastor Cymbala commented to the audience, "you seem to know the songs better than the choir!"

The Jamaicans had a lot of love to give the choir as they cheered them on and clapped - anything that would let the 250-voiced choir know that they were more than appreciated.

Unfortunately the same could not be said for Calvin Hunt who poured his heart out to gathering. Performing before the internationally renowned choir, he shared his touching testimony of being a drug addict hooked on crack cocaine. He also shared how he roamed the streets of New York, leaving his home and loving wife who never stopped praying for him. He told the crowd, "I'm a Christ addict now!" He sang numbers such as "Power In the Name of Jesus," and "How Can I Help But Praise You Lord." But the track the audience was holding out for was,  "Only A Look," took too long in coming and one man shouted in frustration, "Come offa di stage!"

Hunt calmly turned to the audience and said, "You want Brooklyn Tabernacle, okay, come out Brooklyn Tabernacle." At which point the choir marched on stage. And what a majestic sight that was!

It was something to behold as the 250 members positioned themselves on stage. Words cannot describe the powerful effect the sweet, rich, combined voices had on the crowd.

The question that was on everyone's lips after Brooklyn Tab's performance was, "How do they do it?"

Many faithfuls who started out singing and dancing with the choir had to take their seats as they complained, "mi foot tiad!" But the choir showed no signs of weariness as they danced and sang up a storm.

Pastor Cymbala, host pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, took time out to give a mini sermon. He left a verse of scripture with the crowd, urging them to take heed of Proverbs 27 v 1 -  "Do not boast about tomorrow for you know not what a day may bring forth." Always ending with  "the Lord "s willing," Cymbala gave sound instructions to the audience.

He touched many hearts as he spoke about his church's loss on September 11 with the death of four members. "You should make your life right. There won't be any warnings; He's coming like a thief in the night. You may be a dedicated churchgoer and sleeping around, but the secret of men's lives will be opened when the Lord comes," Cymbala commented.

Before he was through, Cymbala had everyone holding hands and singing  "Amazing Grace."

Earlier in the evening, a powerful performance came from Golden Touch. Yashika Blackwood later joined the group in singing "Hold On To Jesus Unchanging Hand," and Yolanda Innocent gave some top class singing with "You Are My Joy" and  "I Am."

Kudos to Life Production for a first class production which started on time and flowed smoothly, with the only hitch coming from the imperfect PA system.

MCs for the show were Nadine Blair and Arnold Kelly. The two did a good pre-show stint as they interviewed members of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, allowing them to share more of themselves with the audience.

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Cecelia Campbell has been in journalism for the past eleven years. She's currently assistant editor at Jamaica's leading weekly tabloid, Xnews. She also writes for other publications, including the Gleaner's North American Weekend Star.