'Gospel Explosion' felt in New Kensington as Alle-Kiski Valley, Pittsburgh churches sing

Halls of the Quality Inn in New Kensington were rocked by an explosion Saturday evening.

It was the inaugural Gospel Explosion, featuring nearly a dozen churches from the Alle-Kiski Valley and Pittsburgh area.

The event featured 10 singers and was hosted by Shiloh Baptist Church in Brackenridge.

“We do this because it’s ministering for the Lord,” said the Rev. Selena Foster, one of three event organizers. “You cannot only minister by preaching; you can also minister by music and song, and give God all the honor and glory.”

Singers took a minute or two after taking the stage to explain why they chose their song and what made them want to participate.

“It’s good to get with old friends,” the Rev. Connie Allensworth of the United Vision Baptist Church in Pittsburgh. “We do know each other very well.”

Allensworth performed the songs “Come As You Are,” “Feel the Nails,” “You Know My Name” and “Gracefully Broken.”

The Rev. Darryl Manley, of Rivers of Life Outreach in New Kensington served as the emcee. He had the crowd moving to “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow.”

Minister Darryl Manley on stage at the Gospel Explosion in New Ken Quality Inn pic.twitter.com/2rYOOL0oRp

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) May 7, 2022

Manley also talked about the power of the Lord and how it’s better to join in than to oppose related efforts.

“When you see me praising, get out the way,” he said. “If you don’t want to join, get out the way.”

John Sharp of Tarentum said he was a former member of the Shiloh Baptist choir and sung with Manley years ago. Sharp said sitting in the audience Saturday brought back good memories.

“It’s great. I love singing gospel,” he said. “I’ve been singing all my life. Fellowship, that’s what it’s all about.”

North Hills resident Freddye Stover, known in blues and gospel circuits as Miss Freddye, partnered with Mike Huston of Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge for a rendition of “His Children Go Where I Sent Thee.”

Stover said she felt called to action when Huston reached out to her about the concert.

“I’m right here for a purpose,” she said. “The only purpose is to do what God asks and to serve him. It ain’t about me. It ain’t about thee. It’s about what you can do to serve him. Go where he tells you to go, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Foster said that kind of collaboration and willingness to join is what made getting multiple churches involved effortless.

“It’s easy because God always has a plan,” she said. “He says, ‘When there’s two or (more) together he’s amongst us.’

”There’s over 10 churches here, so we know he’s amongst us.”

Other churches involved included Christ Our Hope Anglican Church in Harrison; Bibleway Christian Fellowship Church in New Kensington; St. Paul Baptist Church in Oakmont; and Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison.

Foster said they plan to bring the churches back for a Christmas concert sometime in December.