Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 20 September 2007 — Page 33

The Muncie Times • September 20, 2007 • Page 33

Dynamic Praise at Disney: GMWA Celebrates 40th Convention

At Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Mickey Mouse is “king”, but from August 11th-18th, the late Rev. James Cleveland, Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) founder, was King.. .that is second in line to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bishop Albert L. Jamison, Sr., GMWA Chairman of the Board and New York Chapter Representative, presided over this year’s national convention entitled, “Life Begins at 40: A New Beginning.” Bishop Jamison came up as a youth in the GMWA and worked under the mentorship of Cleveland. The local GMWA North Central Indiana chapter, under the prayerful leadership of Music Minister and Chapter Advisor, Pat Raymore of Anderson, was well represented at this year’s national convention in Orlando. Raymore was awed by this year’s international presence, as well. She said, “There were 70+ voices from the Japan Chapter, 150 from the Bahamian Chapter, and several from the Montreal [Canada] Chapter. New music was presented by the director from Denmark, Sweden, along with 63 chapter voices.” The official kick-off

Malcolm Williams Chicago Area recording star and Beth Leavell

of the convention started with Sunday’s Communion and Consecration Service with Muncie’s own 30year GMWA Saint, Sister Virginia Leavell, and her daughter, Beth Ann Leavell-Davis, performing with the James Cleveland Chorus. Beth Ann lead the chorus in “God Is“ before a congregation of 5,5000. National gospel artists Richard Smallwood, Yolanda Adams, and Jeff Majors hosted the kick-off midnight concert as well as various events throughout the week. Spirit-filled

performances were made by The Georgia Mass Choir, Tramaine Hawkins, Martha Munizzi, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Bishop Neal Roberson, and The Mime Boyz. Daily convention events included academic Bible, voice, instrument, liturgical dance, and sound/recording classes, as well as, talent search events, nightly musicals, and morning, evening, and late night worship services. “Our Daily Bread” morning worship services featured national clergy such as Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor

Jamal Bryant, and recording artist, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. “Bishop Morton was simply spectacular”, says Theresa Hunter. “He could’ve stopped with his pre-sermonic prayer in song, ‘It’s Not About Me!’, but he continued to preach on the Subject, ‘Good Success.’ He and his son, Paul, Jr. (or P.J., for short), blessed us with post sermonic song, ‘Let Go and Let God Have His Way’, with P.J. burning-up the keyboard.” She continued to say, “Bishop Morton’s closing testimony with his recent bout with colon cancer

just simply broughtdown the house!” The week’s events ended with the GMWA 3,000-voice [national] Mass Choir recording and concert under the leadership of Ms. Rodena PrestonWilliams, sister of the late, renowned national recording artist, Billy Preston. Next year’s National GMWA Convention will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. “We’re looking at sending 100 delegates to Nashville next year,” said Raymore. The local GMWA chapter was organized as the Anderson Chapter in 1976 by Raymore. A year later, the group expanded to include Muncie and was renamed the Anderson/Muncie Chapter. As interest grew throughout the state, East Chicago, Kokomo, Marion, and Fort Wayne were included to form the North Central Indiana Chapter in 1987. There are currently 150 members from numerous Indiana cities north of Anderson. The local chapter is in the process of completing a CD project, which started with last year’s live recording session. The final product is expected to come out early 2008.