Sounds of Inspiration

By Effie Rolfe

Rev. Clay Evans, Founder and Senior Pastor of the historical Fellowship Baptist Church was joined by his family, friends and sons in the ministry for a kick-off reception at NBC 5. The reception was presented by Rev Charles Jenkins, Pastor of Fellowship Baptist and Larry Wert, President of NBC 5 and hosted by Art Norman and Chicago Gospel Fest Director and WVON radio personality of WVON. Attendees were gearing up for Rev Evans’ 80th birthday celebration. Annette (Queenie) Lenox, Vanessa Holmes, Tim Branch, long time lead vocalist of Fellowship M.B. Church choir, Loretta Oliver as well as the Fellowship church musicians. The black-tie dinner gala will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive. Rev Evans is the Spiritual father to nearly 100 ministers, males and female. You are invited to join the City of Chicago for this anticipated grand affair on June 23rd at 7pm. Rev Evans has recorded more than 30 albums with the Fellowship Baptist Church Choir. Tickets are $80, $100 and $200 each and checks should be made payable to the Fellowship M.B. Church or The Clay Evans Scholarship Fund. For more information call (708) 333-6558.

Billie Barrett-Greenbay of the world renowned Barrett Sisters will be honored in a special tribute on Sunday, April 22nd at 3:30pm. The special salute will take place at the Lillydale Progressive M.B. Church, 10706 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Special guests on hand to celebrate will be D’Arthur, The Wooten Choral Ensemble and of course, the Sweet Singers of Zion, better known as the Barrett Sisters. Greenbay’s oldest sister, Delois Barrett Campbell recently celebrated her 78th birthday in March. The trio also includes Rodessa Barrett-Porter. The admission is free and open to the public. For more information call (773) 785-1976.

Rev Lucius Hall and the First Church of Love and Faith cordially invites you to their choir’s homecoming reunion concert this Sunday, April 24th. The church is also celebrating their 25th (Silver) Anniversary now through Wednesday, April 27th. Many outstanding pastors and churches will participate in this great celebration. Sunday service is at 4pm and nightly services are 7:30pm. The church is located 2140 West 79th Street. For more information call 773-224-6800 or 1-800-547-2308.

Happy anniversary to Chicago song bird Evangelist Lemmie Battles who recently celebrated her 27th Wedding anniversary with her husband, Jerry Battles. Battles is lead singer with the Grammy nominated Chicago Mass and has a sophomore project on New Haven Records.

Our prayers continue for Chicago’s Jerome Bell who lost his father this week. On last week he lost his mom in a house fire, in his home state of Mississippi and his father succumbed to fatal burns on Tuesday night. Bell is a choir director at Christ Universal Temple as well as The Community Renewal Society Chorus which is a multicultural organization. Please pray that God would give the family supernatural comfort to his family. Also, prayers for the Rev Charles Nicks of the legendary St. James Baptist Church Choir’s whose mom, Mother Nicks went on to be with the Lord. St. James Baptist is known for classic songs including, I Really Love the Lord and Hold Back the Night. The funeral will be this weekend at First Corinthians Baptist Church in Detroit. Also, condolences to Chicago Grammy Award winner, Calvin Bridges who recently lost his mother earlier this month.

 Happy Belated Birthday to the legendary, Inez Andrews.

 “Remember you are blessed by the best!”

ffie Rolfe is the Religion Entertainment Columnist of the Chicago Defender, Midday Host (Mon-Friday from 10am-2pm) on The All New Gospel 1390 and host of “Music of Love and Inspiration” Sunday Mornings on 107.5 WGCI FM from 6-11am. Email Effie at effrolfe@aol.com