by Chris Lieberman correspondent
When risers are set up on the stage in Torrey-Gray Auditorium, excitement builds as students anticipate worship led by the Moody gospel choir, Voices of Praise. For most students at Moody, their expectation is for a worshipful experience which will include up-beat songs with swaying, clapping and dancing.
To some, that is all gospel choir is: a fun break from typically less demonstrative styles of worship. However, Voices of Praise exists for a much greater purpose than to simply provide a change from the usual chapel service.
The mission statement of the Voices of Praise is “to edify the student body and churches in the Chicagoland area through gospel music worship.” Under the leadership of their director, senior biblical exposition major Christina Smith, gospel choir strives to bring excellent gospel music wherever they go. They hope to provide those who grew up in a gospel music context a chance to worship in their heart style of worship, while at the same time exposing others to the gospel genre.
According to Smith, everything gospel choir does is built on a robust theology of music and worship. She explained how the church is made up of a vast array of people groups, each of which offers a rich cultural contribution that can be redeemed to praise the Lord. Gospel music is a product of a group of people under intense oppression. “[Gospel music] speaks very deeply into the soul,” Smith said. “[A common thread] is that joy in Christ does not equal happiness. Gospel music is dwelling on the promises of God and having joy in that.”
Smith said, “I love how much Moody constantly embraces us with open arms.” However, she said she sees a gap of understanding in what the student body thinks about gospel choir’s identity and mission. “A lot of people just like the choir because they like clapping and having fun,” she said. “To me, that is seriously disturbing. These are people who miss the mark of what we are trying to do.” Smith encourages students to enjoy the music and to clap and dance along, but at the same time take the songs seriously: to miss the message of joy in the midst of pain would be missing the point of Voices of Praise.
The members of gospel choir share Smith’s passion to use gospel music for God’s glory. Sophomore drummer Edward Blackmon said, “I love being part of gospel choir because it allows me to share a part of my soul and my heritage with the rest of the student body.”
Anginette Fullerton, sophomore choir member, said, “Voices of Praise is a sanctuary for me. Every week, I’m able to escape the normal routine and meet with a group of prayerful worshippers of the Lord.”
As Smith enters the last of her three years as director, she said she hopes to see the choir continue to serve the Lord, Moody and Chicago by spreading the message of the joy of Christ through gospel music.