A "call to preach" by Rev. R. Lumzy, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Rev. Dr. Esco Yancey, Jr. answered his call and was the guest minister for the Deep South Festival's Sunday service, speaking from Matthew 14:20-23, "A Disciple Will Go Through the Storm and Get a Blessing." He was introduced by his wife, Rev. Dr. Barbara Akins Yancey. The Yanceys (representing The Gospel Inspirations) sang their renditions of their gospel hits, "Morning Train" and "We've Come This Far By Faith." The Lumzy Sisters performed Sunday afternoon. Here is a copy of the article from the TRIBUNE newspaper in New Brunswick, New Jersey. ******************************** North meets South at fest Home News Tribune Online 07/10/05 - advertisements - By JOHN MAJESKI STAFF WRITER NEW BRUNSWICK — City resident Charles Spence made his way through Feaster Park yesterday, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the sixth annual Deep South Festival. Forget a favorite. Spence couldn't choose one. "I enjoy the whole thing," said Spence, a 27-year member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, the congregation hosting the free event. "I love it." The Deep South Festival, a two-day affair, is scheduled to continue today at 10 a.m. at the park, Commercial Avenue and Handy Street. Contests were held and local church choirs performed under a striped tent while attendees piled their plates with Southern favorites including fried chicken and sweet potato pie. The message was one of unity, organizers said. "We're bringing the church out to the community," said Stephen Bellamy, who chairs Mount Calvary's deacon board. "I believe the best part of this festival is that some man, woman, boy or girl will turn their life over to Christ." The Rev. Brenda Hicks, festival founder and assistant pastor at Mount Calvary, said the event attracts people of various backgrounds and cultures. Hicks, a native of Mississippi, said the Southern bent to the outdoor event has a wide appeal. "You get more people from the deep, deep South that have migrated up north," she said, adding people from as far away as New York City and Louisiana have attended the annual event. While they waited to perform with their church choir, Somerset residents Maggie and Ed Martin noshed on fried chicken and other Southern fixings under the tent with great-grandson Isaiah, 2, who is visiting from Maryland. The couple is part of the senior ministry choir at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, also in Somerset. "I think it's nice," Maggie Martin said of the festival. "That's the whole thing — reaching out to the community." The Rev. Glorious Sanders of Friendship Christian Church in New Brunswick attended yesterday. She said the culinary offerings were a nice touch. "I'm (originally) from the South," said Sanders, who is scheduled to speak at the festival today. "The food is always good, but fellowship is more important than anything. "The best part is the fellowship, the coming together," she added. Other activities planned for the Deep South Festival include a watermelon seed-spitting contests, dancers and a basketball free-throw contest. Mount Calvary currently meets at Paul Robesen Community School while it awaits construction of a new house of worship on Comstock Street. Bellamy said the congregation has between 75 and 100 members. For the most part, the day remained sunny. "The weather is cooperating," Bellamy said in the early afternoon. "God is blessing us." The Rev. Esco Yancey Jr. and his wife, the Rev. Barbara Akins-Yancey, sat under a stately tree and sold shirts with religious sayings. Musicians, the couple hail from North Carolina. "This gives you a chance to chill and listen to music," Esco Yancey said. "This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon." John Majeski: (732) 565-7260
