Staff Report

The Rev. Brenda Sears Boone and Higher Praise Community Choir recorded their first CD in a live concert, featuring national recording artist Frankie Davis of Paris, France on July 9 at Poplar Run Baptist Church, located on Bennetts Pasture Road in Suffolk. The Rev. James Williams Jr. is the pastor.

The Higher Praise Community Choir is a multi-cultural group of talented singers and musicians, explained the Rev. Boone.

Speaking of the origin of the ensemble, she added, &uot;I was given the opportunity at the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where Dr. Robert Hobbs is pastor, in January 2001 to present a concert with the Chapel Choir in celebration of choir month.

&uot;With much prayer and seeking the will of God, He inspired me in a dream and a vision to bring together multiple voices from the youth, young adults, senior choirs, male choruses, male and female vocalists of the Hampton Roads area and across the country to exalt the name of Jesus with a higher praise where I had served as organist.&uot;

The Rev. Boone added that God gave her the theme, &uot;Let’s just praise Him&uot; and the name of the concert choir, Higher Praise Community Choir.

&uot;Most importantly, God told me to tell everyone these words, `I want everyone to just praise Me. If you praise me more, I will bless you more…just tell everyone to lift Me higher with praises, not just today or tomorrow, but all the time. Lift up holy hands and praise me and I will heal you, I will heal your finances, I will heal the land, I will pour out bountiful blessings upon you and your families…bless Me with a higher praise.’&uot;

As a result of this charge, on January 28, 2001, 120 voices came together with the Chapel Choir of Metropolitan Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, St. Julien’s Creek of Chesapeake, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Tabernacle Christian Church, Poplar Run Baptist, Eternal Joy Ensemble, and several guest soloists and &uot;just praised the Lord,&uot; said the Rev. Boone.

The Higher Praise Community Choir’s first CD is scheduled for release by the end of this year.

&uot;All praises and honor go to God for the great things he has done and is currently doing in Hampton Roads and abroad,&uot; said Rev. Boone.

She added that she’s thankful for the continuous support of pastors, the Rev. James A. Williams Jr., Dr. Robert Hobbs, and Dr. Sidney Foster Jr., pastor of New Hope Baptist, St. Juliens Creek in Chesapeake and the Hampton Roads community.