43
Singing the praises of gospel in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN
Sunday’s third annual 2DEEP Gospel Festival was the second day running that more than 1,000 people from Youngstown and environs came downtown for special music events.
Saturday’s seventh annual Youngstown Wine and Jazz Fest featured two artists: Alex Bugnon, famous jazz pianist and composer, and local guitarist and blues singer Jay Byrd.
The Sunday event, put on by 2Deep Entertainment, featured a long list of local soloists, small groups and community adult and youth choirs performing a variety of Gospel music.
The evening was capped off with a performance by award-winning Israel Houghton and New Breed.
Terrill Vidale, president and chief executive officer of 2Deep Entertainment, described Houghton as a “prolific worship leader, musician, songwriter, producer and recording artist.”
Houghton’s career includes work on more than 50 albums as an artist and producer and 19 awards. In 1995, Houghton formed New Breed Ministries and in 1997 he released recordings “Whisper It Loud” and “Way of the World.”
There was even some carry-over from Saturday to Sunday.
Henry and Marie Stewart of Diamond were invited by friends to the jazz festival, and learning about the Gospel festival, returned Sunday. “We love Gospel music,” they said.
Also among the audience were several students of the Ohio Valley Teen Challenge that helps adult men in their struggle with addiction, including Zach Gibson, originally from Fayetteville, Ark., who testified to their faith in God as part of the program. “The organization changed my life,” Gibson said.
There was some serious preaching that went on and comments from community leaders including Jim Tressel, president of Youngstown State University.
“What a blessing this weekend has been with the YSU Summer Festival of Arts on campus and jazz and gospel festivals downtown,” said Tressel.
“We are so blessed that people are reaching out to each other. You can feel the energy, love and progress in the community,” he said.
While Vidale insisted with a laugh that the event was a gospel festival not a church service, Coya Gillins and Jionna Bodrick, both of Youngstown and members of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, said they appreciate gospel music and see the event as an opportunity to build community.
“It’s nice to have a time like this with people who believe in God. It’s a honor and a privilege to worship God in downtown Youngstown,” Gillins said.