Mutually Encouraged By Our Faith

Traditonally, Claflin University observes Religious Emphasis Week during Black History Month.  This year, Claflin faculty and students have planned a variety of events that will feature a Disciples Talent Show, community choirs and the nationally-acclaimed Claflin University Concert Choir. 

The Reverend Telley Lynette Gadson, senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Sumter, SC, will be the keynote speaker during the four-day event starting Sunday, February 18th and ending Wednesday, February 21, 2007. 

Mrs. Christal Brown-Gibson, psalmist, musician and songwriter of Charleston, SC, will also perform daily.  The theme, Mutually Encouraged by Our Faith, will serve as the backdrop for the event that is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Jimmy Montgomery, university chaplain, at 536-5360 or via e-mail: jmontgomery@claflin.edu. 

Schedule of Events:

Sunday, February 18th     5:00 p.m., Ministers' Hall

Sponsored by: The Panthers, Pantherettes and Community Participants

Monday, February 19th   6:30 p.m., Ministers' Hall

Sponsored by: Students of High Rise Residential Hall, West & North Residential Halls and Greek Sororities and Fraternities

Tuesday, February 20th   11:00 a.m., WVM Fine Arts Center

Tuesday, February 20th    6:30 p.m., Ministers' Hall

Sponsored by: Students of South, Asbury & Dunton Residential Halls and Student Government Association

Wednesday, February 21st, 6:00 p.m., Ministers' Hall

The Disciples Talent Show

Sponsored by: Students of Corson, Kleist, Millwood and East Residential Halls

Rev. Telley Lynette Gadson

Rev. Gadson is the daughter of the Honorable Herbert Gadson and “missionary” Linda D. Gadson.  She is a native of Hollywood, S.C. and was nurtured in the Christian Faith during her formative years in the Wesley United Methodist Church of Hollywood.

Rev. Gadson is an ordained pastor and full member of the South Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church.  Currently, she serves as the pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church, Sumter, South Carolina.  A gifted pastor and preacher, Rev. Gadson is in great demand and preaches at conferences and national gatherings.  Recently, she preached at Exploration 2006 in Jacksonville, Florida and Convocation 2007 in Dallas, Texas.

Rev. Gadson holds a Bachelors degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Christal Brown-Gibson Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Christal Brown-Gibson is a noted songwriter, psalmist and musician. Her gifts have enabled her to walk through many doors of favor, including appearing on Bobby Jones Gospel in Nashville, TN; singing on the stage Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and being a contestant in Bishop Paul Morton’s Gospel Dream Talent Showcase in Atlanta, Georgia.

Brown-Gibson, along with her husband, Minister Nelson R. Gibson,  and their son, Nelson, Jr.,  are proud members of Manna Life Center of Charleston, South Carolina—under the Pastorate of Elder Kay G. Colleton.

Some of Brown-Gibson’s accomplishments and appearances include the following:

·          Voted Female Vocalist of The Year by Newsome Gospel, Baltimore, MD 2006

·         Guest Artist for Southeast Region of NAACP Convention in Orlando, Florida 2005

·          Guest Artist for NAACP Annual Religious Leadership Summit, Orlando, Florida 2006

·         Guest Artist at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD 2004

·          Psalmist for Evangelist Janice Bynum of Waycross, GA  2003-2004

·          Winner of Amateur Night At The Apollo, Harlem, NY

     Discography:

·          “No Rocks Crying Out For Me”  1998 Christal Brown Youth Chorus

·          “For Your Glory”  2002

·          “In This Place” 2003   St. James Presbyterian Church, USA, Charleston, South Carolina

·          “Christmas Praise” 2003 Christal Brown Youth Chorus

·          “Beauty For Ashes” 2005

·          “Bringin’ It Back Home” 2006