The Gospel Tent

Growing up in New Orleans, Mom made sure that we never missed a year of Jazz Fest. It had then and it has now the best food that Nola could offer and some of the best music that the world could offer. I saw everyone from local bands to Ladysmith Black Mambazo to James Taylor to Juanes to anyone in between while stuffing my face with cheesy crawfish bread, oyster stuffed mushrooms, lemon sorbet with raspberry sauce, and any form of hydrating liquid. It was so hot that you could barely move. It only took a matter of minutes upon arrival before it felt that you had jumped in a pool with your clothes on. It seemed that there was no escape from the heat and humidity...

Or was there? Just when you felt convinced that you couldn't possibly stand another second out in the open heat, everyone's eyes would meet, and you all knew what needed to happen. The Gospel Tent. Oh yes. The Gospel Tent, perhaps as anointed by God, had massive fans. The shade and air circulation in there was clearly blessed by the Lord, and you would find respite within the massive sound of Gospel choirs from all over America and probably the World. The sound and the air would wash over you drying the sweat and preparing you to re-enter the outside world. It gave you the perfect amount of determination to get from the tent to the nearest incredibly large, incredibly iced tea.

Every time a month has a fifth Sunday, East End Fellowship (EEF, my home church here) doesn't hold a regular service, but rather encourages its people to go out into the community and visit another local church. On a walk, Rosy noticed a sign on a church front saying that this Sunday they would have an old fashioned, hand-clapping, foot-stomping service outside. You had me at old fashioned. I spent this morning with my house-mates at Fountain Baptist Church held in the sweet shade of their outdoor tent listening to the massive sound of their Gospel choir. We were greeted and spoken with by everyone we passed. The pastor made a special effort to come and greet us after the service. We were, thankfully, handed fans to try to swipe away the thick, hot air, and we were fed generously after the service. The service ended with the Amen song that I first heard from and will always associate with Sidney Poitier in the 1963 classic Lilies of the Field. This morning was wonderful and life-giving because I was able to connect with my community in a way I hadn't before.

I'm telling you, the Lord has a thing for Gospel Tents.