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13 B M & T ••• September/October 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com WORDS & DEEDS The Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) celebrated its 55th annual session in New Orleans at the Hyatt Regency Hotel August 7 -14, 2016. PNBC President Dr. James C. Perkins presided over the convention, repre- senting over 2,000 churches. The PNBC was founded in 1961 out of the Civil Rights Movement, and the fight for human and civil rights remains a key mandate. With the upcoming presidential election, a focus of the annual session was the importance of the vote. The convention on Aug. 11 hosted Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Tim Kaine, who described his faith identity and values as shaped largely by his experiences living and worshiping amongst Latino and African-American Christians. The core of his talk was the Biblical story of Job, who loses everything except his faith. Kaine said the story is really about how people react to suffering and tough conditions, and whether they blame the victim and past errors or instead commit more deeply to their faith, principles and moving for- ward. The attendees focused on informational and education campaigns, with the aim of assuring that people of color across the country are registered to vote. Dr. Perkins called on PNBC churches to hold voter registration drives in their congregations. In addition to the voting registration agenda, the annual session provided the 5,000 attendees with ministry work- shops, Christian Education classes, a pastoral division, and preaching. Featured speakers included Bishop J. D. Wiley Taylor, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, Dr. Kevin Cosby, Dr. Charles E. Booth, and Dr. Ralph W. West. Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Dr. Robert C. Scott, Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, Dr. Michael T. Scott, Dr. James Victor, and Dr. Howard-John Wesley spoke during the morning and afternoon sessions. For information contact Dr. Timothy Boddie at 202-396- 0558. • • • The 83rd National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses' annual session was held August 6 – 13, 2016 at The Galt House Hotel, Louisville, KY. The week's events consist- ed of daily classes and workshops, plenary sessions featuring world-renowned musical artists and guest speakers, nightly concerts and a host of other activities for aspiring Christian singers, musicians, educators and gospel music leaders. Guest speakers included Elder Kenneth Moales, Jr., Dr. Kevin Cosby, Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Bobo, Sr., Pastor Devin E. West, and Pastor Albert Morgan. Guest artists included St. Stephen Church Mass Choir, Bishop Larry Trotter and the Sweet Holy Spirit, Jewel and Converted, Raphaelle P. Darden, Keith Pringle, Dello Thedford & Shalom City of Peace, Jesse Williams, Gregg Haynes and the Happy Guitar, Jason Clayborn and the T. E. A. M., Anita Watkins and New Sunny Mount MBC, Beverly Crawford, Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music, Dr. Bobby Jones, Marvin Sapp Kierra Sheard, Tasha Paige-Lockhart, and Joshua Percell and Courageous. For information, contact 203-366-5824. CALENDAR OF EVENTS September 2-5, 2016, "53rd Annual ISNA Convention," Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL. Contact Basharat Saleem at (317) 839-1825 for information. September 11, 2016, "Gigantic Gospel Concert," J. Spivey Productions, World Harvest Outreach Church, Houston, TX. Contact Jimmy Spivey at (877) 577-6016 for information. September 2-3, 2016, "The Collective – A Gathering of Creative Musical Minds," Lionheart Music, Oasis Paulding, Dallas, GA. Contact Trent Phillips at (770) 445-9201 for infor- mation. September 2-4, 2016, "Intentional Lifestyle – Saved Single, Satisfied or Searching," Marvin L. Sapp Ministries, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI. Contact (616) 241-5448 for information. September 4, 2016, "Spiritfest 2016 – Building Stronger Families,," E.Ray Promotions, Timmons Arena, Greenville SC. Contact Elijah Ray at (864) 420-7973 for information. September 6-11, 2016, "Tasting the Essence of Tantra Series: The Masculine and Feminine (Module 7), FPMT, Vajparani Institute for Wisdom Culture Retreat Center, Boulder Creek, CA. Contact (800) 531-4001 for information. September 12-13, 2016, "COGIC 2016 Founder's Celebration," Church of God In Christ (COGIC), Historic Mason Temple. Memphis, TN. Contact Ms. Johnson at (901) 947-9300 for information. September 13, 2016, "Reimaging Faith Tour w/Bishop I.V. Hilliard," New Light Christian Church Ministries, New Life Worship Center, Indianapolis, IN. Contact (281) 875-4448 for information. September 15, 2016, "Reimaging Faith Tour w/Bishop I.V. Hilliard," New Light Christian Church Ministries, Lighthouse R E L I G I O U S R E V I E W BY PATRICE A. KELLY Continued on page 15