During 6 days in March 2010 (March the 10th-15th) Stavanger Gospel Company got the privilege of hosting the award winning gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, Light of Love, Cinque Cullar and 30 American top level gospel musicians, background vocals, technicians, providers and coordinators. They were all invited to join Stavanger Gospel Company (SGC) in the first THIS IS GOSPEL-festival ever.
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A close relationship were built between Donnie McCLurkin, his American travelers and the people in/around Stavanger Gospel Company. We all shared some amazing days together both on and off stage. SGC is really amazed of the humbleness and greatness of our American friends. We got to know great artists and musicians, but most of all wonderful friends and spiritual brothers & sisters. We really love them all.
The Americans arrived at Sola airport March the 10th and 11th. We socialized, did a lot of organizing together and numbers of press conferences. Donnie McClurkin and Anita Holmes (Light of Love) did lots of interviews with newspapers, radio stations, TV stations and magazines together with Aril Schøld (director Stavanger Gospel Company).
Friday the 12th of March was the day of THIS IS GOSPEL – WORKSHOP. 450 singers and musicians from all around Norway (even some Swedish guys…) had an amazing experience this evening. Cincue Cullar and Donnie McClurkin just gave the participants everything during the 6 hour rehearsal with the singers. Calvin Rodgers and his band gave the local musicians a once in a lifetime workshop. At the end of the day everyone came together and had a wonderful mixture of rehearsal/performance, social fellowship and spiritual upbuilding time together. It was life changing. Donnie McClurkin talked about his life from past to present. People in the audience asked him all kinds of questions. He answered everyone. He even performed «Happy birthday to you» to a young girl who had her birthday that day.
Saturday the 13th of March was the day of THIS IS GOSPEL – CONCERT. The line up was great: Donnie McClurkin with American musicians and background vocals, Light of Love (Chicago), Cinque Cullar (Chicago) and Stavanger Gospel Company. It was an amazing concert. The venue was close to packed (approximately 1300 in the audience). Light of Love did a live recording including the Workshop Choir. Donnie McClurkin finished the evening with a one hour concert. People were dancing all over the venue. The crowd switched between tears, laughter and dancing. Amazing!
Sunday the 14th was the day og THIS IS GOSPEL – CHURCH. We really wanted to let the Norwegian people experience an authentic african american black church-experience. Stavanger Gospel Company, Light of Love, Cinque Cullar, Norwegian and American musicians/singers did the praise & worship together. Pastor Donnie McClurkin preached the Holy gospel. He talked about caring for each other, getting out on the streets… Everybody (approximately 1000 visitors) was blessed, but also challenged. Donnie McClurkin sang us out with a once in a lifetime-version of Hail Jesus. I kept on going and going. People were dancing all over the place. We had a wonderful meal at the end of the day at Renaa restaurant (http://www.restaurantrenaa.no/omoss.htm).
Monday the 15th we brought our American brothers & sisters to the airport. They all had a safe trip back to the US.
Looking back at these wonderful days, our heart gets filled with gratefulness:
to Donnie McClurkin and the rest of our American friends for giving everything and for being so humble and wonderful to both the Stavanger Gospel Company and the rest of the Norwegian people.
special thanks to Anita Homes (Light of Love) and Taylorr Taylor for helping us organize it.
to our wonderful partners; SR-Bank, Myhregaarden hotel and Bavaria for making this possible.
to everyone who took part of THIS IS GOSPEL 2010. Thanks! We’ll see you all again!
but most of all to the Lord for making it possible. We believe that THIS IS GOSPEL is a part of His plans for the future.
Stay tuned for the next THIS IS GOSPEL happening. Don’t miss it!
