The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Gospel music is popular within churches, as it is a genre of Christian Music, but it is also an art to celebrate, especially during Black History Month.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, BSA presented their annual “Gospel Explosion”. This event took place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Sharon Kay Dean Recital Hall in McCray Hall. During this presentation, students, faculty and people of the Pittsburg community gathered in watching various performances and sermons from guest speakers.
“We want you to reflect on what you hear,” said D’Andre Phillips, junior in mathematics and President of the Black Student Association (BSA). “If you want to clap, clap, and if you want to stand and give God praise, do it.”
The guest that were featured in the event were Bishop Walter Simpson of Lighthouse Temple, musician and PSU alumni Arlecia Elkamil and Pastor Adrian Goodlow of the Church of the Living Word.
The event opened up with a prayer led by senior Timoth’eus Boyd and after this Elkamil came on stage and played two selections on the marimba. One of selections that she played was an instrumental arrangement of “Love Theory” by Kirk Franklin.
Goodlow’s wife, Nicole Goodlow, introduced him. She spoke about how he has been pastoring for 12 years, and that he began at a small church.
“We went into a church that had two members,” said N. Goodlow. “It really helped us to kind of get to know who we were in God.”
Currently, Goodlow is preparing to pastor at a new church in Kansas City. He has previously been serving as Pastor at Church of the Living Word in Topeka, KS.
“It’s good to be part of something like this, it’s amazing.” said A. Goodlow
The message that Goodlow preached was “we are unstoppable with Christ”. During his sermon he spoke to the audience about his beliefs that the with the love of Christ anything is achievable.
“Because of the love of Christ, I am here to share a love with you (college students)” said A. Goodlow.
Goodlow closed his sermon with speaking about how he plans to come back in future years, for the upcoming “Gospel Explosions”. Other guests that were featured at the event was the Lighthouse Temple choir who sang two selections, and also senior Courtlynn Rose sang a solo arrangement of “Take me to the King” by Tamela Mann.
Simpson has been preaching for 38 years, as he spoke about how he is the longest running Pastor in Pittsburg, KS. In his sermon he touched on his history in the military and that during his youth it was rough times being involved in segregation.
“You (students) have more opportunities than what we had,” said Simpson. “You can be anything you want to be.”
With the Gospel Explosion, BSA wanted to provide a gospel experience that students may not be used to attending. They spoke about how it is an experience that should inspire you.
“We hope that you don’t leave this place the way you came.” said Deatrea Rose, director of the Office of Student Diversity.