The 17th annual Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference is the largest international gospel event held during Black History Month. This year the event will take place in Atlanta for the first time in five years. This event is full of educational seminars and workshops for praise dancers and to choir directors and everyone in between. There will also be nightly events, including performances by some well known, Grammy Award-winning gospel artists. The conference will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 14 at at the Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church, where the host pastor is Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr.
Edwin Hawkins, known as “The Father of Contemporary Gospel Music,” most famously known for his hymn, “Oh Happy Day!” which has been featured in a number of movies such as, Whoopi Goldberg’s Sister Act 2, Big Momma’s House and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, will be among the award recipients.
According to Dr. Teresa Hairston, the founder of the organization, the Gospel Heritage Foundation’s mission is “to preserve the Gospel Heritage and Perpetuate the Gospel Legacy through celebration and education.”
On Friday evening, a presentation to one of the most outspoken and controversial leader against injustice of the current era, Rev. Al Sharpton will take place. Also, being saluted that evening will be Pastor Jasper Williams of the Salem Baptist Church of Atlanta, who served alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and is widely recognized as one of the premier orators of our time.
The weekend will conclude Saturday morning, Feb. 16, with a final address from Grammy award winner, Bishop Hezekiah Walker.
For more information, visit www.gospelheritage.org.
