Clarion University’s Lift Every Voice gospel choir is hosting its semi-annual Gospelfest at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 in Hart Chapel.
Brenda Dédé, associate vice president of academic affairs, has been Lift Every Voice advisor for 20 years. The student organization works closely with groups such as Koinonia, Brothers and Sisters in Christ and other Christian campus units to host this event. According to Dédé, Gospelfest started in the 1970s, and has been held religiously since.
“(The mission is) to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, and to help relay a spiritual message, a hopeful message,” Dédé said. “A message of hope of the grace God has bestowed on us for faithful service.”
Clarion's gospel choir will join with choirs from other institutions at Gospelfest. Colleges such as Slippery Rock, Lock Haven, California University, Edinboro University and even Penn State will send participants to the festival, which is also open to local church choirs. Choirs will sing, Scripture readings and prayers will be offered and mime and praise dance teams will perform. Several ministers are expected to attend the event, too, and will close the evening with a special blessing after accepting prayer requests from the audience.
This year, a special performance by 7-year-old Abigail Underhill will take place. She is the daughter of Briana and Scott Underhill, a campus minister who collaborates with Clarion's NewLife Ministries and Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Underhill will be featured with Clarion's mime team. After performing at Gospelfest last spring, she received a standing ovation. She was initially featured in a talent show hosted by First Baptist Church in Clarion, where she is a parishioner.
"We want to have a good time in the Lord. Audience participation is always one of the great things that happens during the service," Dédé said.
Attending the event is free, though a free-will offering will be accepted. Donations will help support Lift Every Voice on choir-oriented trips throughout the year.
Hart Chapel will be open to visitors beginning at 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. For additional information, contact Lift Every Voice president Jazmin Harris at j.r.harris@eagle.clarion.edu, or Dédé at bdede@clarion.edu.