“Ain’t no love like my Savior’s love” harmonize Crowns of Life vocalists Leevere Peoples (left), the Rev. Steve Brown, Nate Bolds (in hat) and Ezekiel Raspberry Sr. Andrea Walker plays drums and (not pictured) Kenny Lockard performs lead guitar. Ed Simmons, Jr.
“Here I am, Jesus! Signed, sealed, delivered! I’m yours!” wailed singer Ezekiel Raspberry Sr. of The Crowns of Life performing Motown-Gospel Saturday, June 29, at the Family Fun Fair held at Rising Hope Mission on Russell Road between Hybla Valley and Woodlawn.
Sharing the stage was Brother John & The Holy Remnant with singer and guitarist Johnny Galvin declaring in rock-n-roll decibels “Jesus can break every chain!”
While adults lounged in the shade taking in the show, it was a big day for their children — splashing in a wading pool, richocheting around the Moon Bounce, performing feats at carnival games, getting their faces painted, gobbling free hamburgers and watermelon, traipsing around the Cake Walk, getting their nails painted and even riding a baby mechanical triceratops (three-horned dinosaur).
The organizing genius behind the mini-festival was Sula Tyler, director of Rising Hope’s Children’s Ministry.
The Rev. Keary Kincannon said the event was "our way of registering community children for summer camps held at Wesley United Methodist Church and at Burke UMC."
Also, he said, teens registered for cooking classes and young people of all ages signed up for fall back-to-school backpacks and school supplies.