Alabama’s representatives on this season of America’s Got Talent are preparing for the semifinals — and they are shining bright for Jesus.
The Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir earned judge Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer during its first performance early in the season, then earned the fans approval Sept. 9 at the quarterfinals. The 41-member vocal troupe learned they earned a spot in the semifinals Sept. 10. They are set to wow the crowd again for that semifinal showing Sept. 16.
Creative space
The acts making it to the finals of the talent show that airs on NBC will be announced Sept. 17.
“Founded in June 2015, [the choir] is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to provide a creative space for youth and young adults to share and develop their musical talents through proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” according to the group’s website, which can be found at bhamyyafc.org.
Cowell and the other judges lit up during the group’s performances, which were directed by Ahkeem Lee as he sat on a stool out from the stage near the judges’ booth.
Lee is assistant director in the UAB office of student engagement enrichment and advises students in UAB’s mentorship program designed to increase retention and enhance the well-being and success of at-risk students.
According to an article posted at uab.edu/news, Lee says his work at UAB has directly influenced the choir’s structure and mission.
More than half of the choir’s members are under 18 and come from various congregations across the city. It’s a community choir and rehearses twice weekly at Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church. Mentoring is a major emphasis beyond the music.
And while the talent is certainly top-notch, I think it’s the light the singers exhibit when sharing on stage that draws the audience in to such a deep and mesmerized engagement.
I even teared up watching the impression the choir made on those in the room with them during both initial performances.
The response of the judges as well as the audience showcases an immediate attachment to these young singers who give it their all. The beaming smiles coming from the stage kept me glued to them as well.
National scene
During the first performance, the choir did a mashup of the traditional hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” with Pharrell’s modern gospel anthem, “JOY (Unspeakable).”
For the quarterfinals, the choir offered vignettes of Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” and Kirk Franklin’s “When I Think About Jesus.”
It’s always fun to see Alabamians competing on the national scene, especially when they are representing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Discipleship
Community, mentorship, developing talent, providing hope and the opportunity to dream, all while growing in Christ and pointing others to Him — I can call that discipleship.
I also love how beautifully the choir is exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
It really doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to be controversial. We can all shine for Him no matter our talent or circumstances.
Leaning into Jesus, embracing Him, trusting Him and allowing Him to work through us — that’s really all we need to do. He’ll take care of the rest.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This editorial was written by Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group, for her Rashional Thoughts column and will appear in the September 4 edition of The Alabama Baptist newspaper. To subscribe, click here.
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