News

Sudden Impact Draws Crowd

Ben Ray, Central Michign

Sudden Impact Saturday lived up to its name as students and local residents stayed in Warriner Hall late into the night, celebrating their faith.

Christians from different races and backgrounds gathered at Plachta Auditorium Saturday for more than three hours of praise and worship.

The event featured four gospel and Christian bands, former CMU football All-American Brian Pruitt as a speaker, representatives from many local churches and Christian youth groups.

"We wanted to ... let kids know they can attend college and have fun and still be faithful," said Nikita Murry, assistant director of Public Relations and Marketing. "The other thing we wanted to achieve is to get past the roadblocks that keep people from worshiping together ... the unity theme was intentional."

Organizers were not the only people pleased with the event.

"It's good to see this school come together for this night of praise - especially in the light of Sept. 11," said Redford sophomore Ron Bracey, host of the event.

Bracey is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, an African-American social fraternity. The fraternity was asked to sponsor the event by organizers Murry and Renee Papelian, mid-tier coordinator of clinical study and field experience for the College of Education and Human Services.

"Our vision was to bring churches and people together to break down cultural barriers, and I think we succeeded. In fact, I would like to see this happen every year, maybe even twice a year," Papelian said.

Pruitt told those in attendance his personal story, which featured anecdotes of his days of playing football for Central as well as his testimonial of how he became a Christian.

"I had been seeking God, but he never answered. A friend on the football team drove me home one night after a game and told me that Jesus loved me and had a plan for my life. However, he did not know that I had planned to take my life that night, and, three times over, he told me Jesus loved me. That night, I went to his youth group and the peace of God came over me," said Pruitt in his speech.

Pruitt talked about how God made a sudden impact in his life on the football field and about how he was called to impact others as well.

"I was at the SAC for a meeting and I was listening to a Christian CD when suddenly I sensed that God wanted me to give my CD to the girl checking cards at the front desk. Although I was broke, I gave it to her, and after reading the titles on the back, she began to cry and told me she had been asking God for a sign that he existed," he said.

His House Christian Fellowship Band, a seven-piece rock ensemble, also performed, providing a different style of praise for the crowd.

"I feel in my heart that God is doing something tonight," said singer Dave Hobbs, Cass City senior.

Eastpoint freshman Megan Boik, singer with the His House Band, said she thought the event was positive.

"The fact that all of these different groups are here on the same stage is just incredible," she said.

Next came the Levitical Voices, a gospel choir of 14 singers from across Michigan.

"Our original purpose, when we started three years ago, was to sing, but the Lord turned us into a full-blown ministry," said Jerome Threlkeld, founder of Levitical Voices.

Gospel artist Lavel Jackson closed the night out with his Christian blend of R&B and soul music.

Lavel, a former producer for top hip-hop acts, decided to move back to his hometown of Saginaw three years ago and concentrate on his faith.

"I accepted the invitation to play at this event because I knew it would be multi-ethnic and the crowd would all be here for the same reason," he said.

Lavel said he grew up in a musical, but not religious home. He said his grandmother was his spiritual foundation, and moved to Atlanta and became a secular hip-hop producer.

Many of the songs he produced were used on TV shows and topped the Billboard charts.

"I saw many of my contemporaries fall by the wayside, but it was by the grace of God that I made it, and I wanted to give my life to him."

His debut CD, in which he was responsible for all material, was released locally.