“When did you fall in love with Jesus?” The question that some could answer before entering the massive doors of The House of Hope Atlanta and some who came hoping that God would meet them there on their quest for love, healing and hope.
Atlanta has been called the “new Hollywood”. The city boasts an impressive resume as the place where more movies are made than anywhere else in the US. It’s home to over 5 million+ people according to WorldPopulationReview.com. It’s a place where people live, work and play. It’s a place where people are looking to be discovered by more than a talent agency. They are looking to be found by hope and inspiration.
On Thursday Sept. 14, McDonald’s 365Black came through the city of Atlanta and delivered on this common need with the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. The House of Hope Atlanta’s 7,000 foot cathedral became the meeting place for those who were looking to get inspired and give hope.
The McDonald’s 365Black Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour brought positive attention to the strides that the Ronald McDonald House Charities has made in communities since opening its doors in 1974. In the city of Atlanta and across the Unit
ed States the Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families who have sick children receiving medical care. They provide everything from home cooked meals and accredited educational programs to support services including support for siblings. This is all provided for families at little to no cost. The Ronald McDonald House continues to operate through the generous donations of their customers and through events like the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.
The celebration brought out the heavy weights in the world of Christian/Gospel music and they held nothing back! Tye Tribbett, Jekalyn Carr, Bishop Paul Morton, Anita Wilson, Brian Courtney Wilson, Paul Porter and Donald Lawrence ...listen they lit the stage on fire in the Name of Jesus! Each artist shared music that we all know and love. Donald Lawrence took us back over his 25 year career and pulled out those tunes that bring us to the feet of Jesus. Jekayln Carr blessed us with her new single that dropped at midnight titled ‘You Will Win”. This song was so pivotal for the people in attendance and for the families that the Ronald McDonald House serves. It was a declaration to everyone that you will win! Tye Tribbett closed the show in Tye Tribbett fashion, the crowd was ROCKING! The energy in the building was bananas! Our host for the evening Lonnie Hunter was engaging, funny and he commanded the room!
Prior to the show, I caught up with the woman who embodies the scripture in Proverbs 17:22 “a cheerful heart is good medicine...:” Comedian Small Fire. Some may recognize her as “Small Frie” from her days on BET’s Comic View but these days, she is declaring the Name of our Lord by going beyond jokes and “just telling stories” that make people laugh. I chatted with Small Frie and she let me know that when she tells stories that are funny, guards come down and people are open to be taught and changed. And believe me, your guard will be down, and you will laugh and you will be open to receive the powerful testimony that God has given her.
I posed the question, “When did you fall in love with Jesus” and Small Fire lit up like her name suggests! Her voice became sweet and soft like the voice of a woman who knows her power and considers “Daugher of The King” her favorite name to be called.
“I fell in love with Jesus when I was going through. When I was at my lowest and people weren’t there anymore. He said “I’m right here”. Listen in to my interview with Small Fire and you’ll see how she captures hearts while making people laugh!
If you’d like to connect with Small Fire you can find her on Instagram and Twitter @SmallFire1 and on Facebook as Comedian Small Fire