Alabama State University students, faculty and community members filled the ASU Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 10, for the annual Gospel Explosion, a night of music and worship that marked the start of the fall semester.
The event, hosted by Student Orientation Services in partnership with First Church of Greater Washington Park, featured performances by the First Church Mass Choir, the university’s Praise Dance Ministry, student gospel group OneAChord and a liturgical dance team. Pastor Leon delivered a sermon titled “Hardwired for Purpose.”
Student Government Association President DeJuan Trotman, a senior accounting major from Lumpkin, Georgia, told the crowd the program was more than entertainment.
“Tonight, we gather for more than just an event. We gather for an experience,” Trotman said. “This gospel explosion is a divine appointment, an opportunity to unite our campus family in praise, worship and fellowship. No matter how heavy the load, we do not carry it ourselves and alone.”
Jordan Phillips, a sophomore psychology major, said the message came at a time when she was dealing with personal challenges.
“The message really hit me because that same week I had been going through a lot personally,” Phillips said. “It reminded me to stay motivated and understand that I am here for a reason. I would tell other students to keep striving and always ask for help if you need it.”
Miss Alabama State University Sydney Morgan, a junior communications major from Atlanta, said the program set the tone for the year ahead.
“As we embark on another year filled with challenges, achievements and growth, tonight sets the tone for what we want our campus atmosphere to be, uplifting, encouraging and rooted in hope,” Morgan said.
Rocco Gilbert, a sophomore from Washington, D.C., said this was his second year attending.
“It was my second Gospel Explosion, and I thought it was pretty cool,” Gilbert said. “There were so many different people from different backgrounds, and it was good to be able to hear God’s word.”
Freshman Kirsten Winfrey of Atlanta, Georgia, said the event was both uplifting and encouraging as she began her first semester at the university.“My biggest takeaway was to always be yourself, keep God first and stay motivated,” Winfrey said.
Event flyers promoted the Gospel Explosion as “a Kingdom experience.” Pastor Leon resonated that message, telling attendees, “When God’s people come together, something powerful always happens.”
For Shiloh Watson, a student from Florida and a member of the university’s Praise Ministry team, the evening carried personal meaning.“It was my first Gospel Explosion performance with the university’s Praise Ministry team, and it felt great,” Watson said. “Being part of it encouraged me to keep changing my attitude, stay in the Bible and keep going, because at the end of the day, we are paying for our degree.”
