The Memorial Day weekend event marked another historic moment at the church, affectionately known as The Ship, when the founder, Rev. Clay Evans, passed the torch to continue recording to the current pastor, Rev Charles Jenkins.
It’s a kinship, a friendship, a relationship and most definitely a fellowship that took place at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church May 30 for one of the most anticipated live CD/DVD recordings of the year! For decades, the church under the leadership of Rev. Clay Evans was known for its classic recordings including What A Fellowship, I’m Blessed, Please Touch Somebody and Have You Got Good Religion.
The Memorial Day weekend event marked another historic moment at the church, affectionately known as The Ship, when the founder, Rev. Clay Evans, passed the torch to continue recording to the current pastor, Rev Charles Jenkins.
The young pastor and executive producer of the choir’s latest release, The Best of Both Worlds said the recording was inevitable, adding that music is “in my DNA.”
“Since a teenager I’ve been very involved in gospel music. Music is in my blood and I took classical piano for seven years as a child and I’ve been writing for 20 years,” Jenkins said. “In my home town of St. Petersburg, Florida, I was known for music instead of preaching. I directed and built up a 300-voice youth choir.”
After arriving in Chicago and attending Moody Bible Institute, Jenkins began to plant his musical roots here, the city known as the gospel music capital of the nation.
“I started Joshua’s Troop and then brought Percy Gray to work with the choir and then I just turned it over to him. I got a Grammy for my work with Israel Houghton for the song You’ve Been a Friend, on the Live in South Africa CD,” Jenkins said. “It wouldn’t be right to be Fellowship and not have good gospel music.”
It’s been nearly 10 years since the installation service when Evans ordained the young minister – who was then in his early 20s – to continue with the vision of the flagship church. Although leading the flock was priority, Jenkins said music has always been a serious thought as well. “I’ve been wrestling with the idea of recording actually since I’ve been there. Because people are kind of expecting it because of Fellowship’s history,” the pastor explained. “People have always asked ‘when will you record again?’” It has always been in the forefront of my mind. I wanted to know it was God’s timing and the proper season.”
The project will be released on the Real Good Music record label later this year. Jenkins handpicked Kevin Vasser, Anita Wilson, Rick Robison and Warren Campbell to help produce the CD. “Remember you are blessed by the Best!” Effie Rolfe is a radio personality and the religion entertainment columnist for the Chicago Defender. Email her at effie@theinspirationalcafe.com
Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender.
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