Southside Homecoming, April 20-22, 2012

Evangelist John T. Edmerson

www.transformingfamilies.blogspot.com

“An informed family is a transformed family”

Von Braun Convention Center--Huntsville, Alabama

In April, all roads lead to Huntsville, AL for the annual Southside Church of Christ Homecoming. This year the event has been moved away from Athens/Rogersville to Huntsville. This represents a major move for Senior Minister Freeman Malone and the Southside Church of Christ. For those of us who have attended over the years, we are excited to see the congregation move in faith to first rate accommodations. The Homecoming is not just for former members of Southside. It is better described as an annual gathering of men, women and families who (1) love the Lord, (2) good singing, (3) great food and (4) awesome fellowship. It is a pep rally for the Church of Christ and our witness in the Southeastern part of the United States. Next to the Crusade for Christ, the Homecoming is the largest gathering of African-American members of the churches of Christ in the United States. Over the weekend about 2000+ people participate in some way or another.

The focus of the weekend is good singing. In a usual year, top talent from the Churches of Christ perform to God's glory and honor. In year's past, international recording artist's Acappella, Paul Williams and Straight Company have performed. And, in each year, other lesser known, but, still quality artists and groups sing. Friday evening is usually the time where anyone can sing. New artists debut at Homecoming and Youth choirs too. It is encouraging to see the power of a cappella music as it is inspires multiple generations. One of the many treats is to hear the many groups from the Southside Church of Christ in Rogersville. Committed, the Southside Singers, C3 and the incomparable Jerome and Tiffany Malone are but a few of the groups and artists that come from the congregation. We LOVE seeing the Malone's do their thing in song. Bryant Malone is a standout vocalist as well as songwriter. John Malone, Jr has a strong dynamic versatile voice and is the primary songwriter in the congregation (though several people at Southside write music). Some of my most favorite songs of all time come from the work of the Malone family. The Homecoming is indeed a very inspirational gathering.

For more information, log on to the wesbite, www.southsidehomecoming.org and/or contact Quality Planning of Cincinnati, LLC by clicking here. (Quality Planning is the company handling the Hotel arrangements for the 2012 Southside Homecoming.) I hope to see you in Alabama!

--John T. Edmerson
February 10, 2012