RECAP: Birthday Celebrations of Rev. Clan Evans & Dr. LouDella Evans Reid (2010) - Articles

RECAP: Birthday Celebrations of Rev. Clay Evans &
Dr. LouDella Evans Reid (2010)

It could have been billed as the Fellowship Reunion 2010 when on the evening of July 12th, the Christ Universal Temple was converted into "Fellowship Square South" when over 2,000 congregants gathered en masse to celebrate the 85th birthday of Reverend Clay Evans, founder of the famed Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and the 80th birthday of his sister, Dr. LouDella Evans Reid, minister of music.

Reverend Evans is known the world over as the preacher's preacher. He, along with the Fellowship Choir (under the capable direction of Dr. LouDella), have recorded over 50 albums and traveled across the United States and overseas.

In addition, Reverend Evans and the Fellowship Choir impacted countless numbers of people through the medium of radio and television, the highlight being the 9:00 p.m. Sunday night broadcast and TV taping.

Every effort was made to make the evening's experience feel just like it was "Sunday Night at Fellowship." Reverend Evans' own pulpit (inscribed with his theme "It is no secret what God can do") was brought from the church as well as Reverend Evans' personal pulpit chair.

The service began with a video montage of Fellowship album covers along with the official opening of the telecast (the choir singing the infectious and energetic arrangement of "What A Fellowship" followed by "The Lord's Prayer").

Bishop Carlton Pearson (interim pastor of Christ Universal Temple) extended a welcome and gave his own personal reflections of Reverend Evans ministry and its impact.

Photo Gallery

Check out the photo gallery from the Birthday Celebration (photo credit: Gregory Gay ):

Photo Gallery from Celebration

A 500 voice choir (comprised of members from over 40 churches) performed a string of Fellowship hits including "Bringing in the Sheaves", "I Come to Praise His Name", "Keep Me Everyday" and "New Name In Glory".

The powerful musical renditions could not keep LouDella in her seat as the music moved her to her feet to lead the choir in "Even Me" and "I Count Everything as Joy (in the Lord)".

Reverend Milton Biggham was on hand to do a medley of songs that he recorded with the choir during their Savoy days that included "Reach Beyond the Break (and Hold On)", "What He's Done for Me", and "I'm Blessed".

Civic tributes were read from the office of the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois along with tributes coming from Reverend Evans' colleagues in ministry, Reverend Stephen Thurston, President of the National Baptist Convention, Archbishop Lucuis Hall and Dr. Mildred Harris.

Also performing was the Divine Divas under the direction of Fred Nelson and the very special guest was Lady Tramaine Hawkins, who did a medley of songs by the late Walter Hawkins as well as "I Never Lost My Praise".

Indeed, it was a night to remember.

— reviewed by Gregory Gay —

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