The Awakening…Extends Far Beyond that Great Sunday Morning
It was early Sunday morning. The pink and yellow pastel fingers of the rising sun stretched toward the west. All was still, all was calm. Then, almost imperceptibly, the ground began to vibrate, and the pebbles near the tomb’s entrance began to dance and quiver as if excited about what was to come. A beam of light that seemed a part of the sunrise began to glow brighter and take the shape of an angel. The earth shook as hot light exploded into the garden, blinding the soldiers on guard. The angel moved swiftly to the tomb, his feet barely touching the ground, and with a wave of his hand, the huge stone blocking him from his Master rolled away. Standing at the mouth of the gaping cave, he filled his lungs with the morning air and in a voice like a trumpet called into the darkness. Resurrection had come.
“The Awakening,” an ABC Easter Special hosted by Breath of Life Television Ministries, aspires to revisit this moment in time through the ministry of gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Chris Willis, the Jeremy Winston Chorale and the Hunstville Orchestra. This live recording will be aired on ABC on April 12, 2020, and on NBC in 2021. The Oakwood University Church was filled to its capacity with church members, students, and the surrounding community eager to witness the phenomenal musical selections, including,
“The Prayer” By Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams, “Home” by Chris Willis and “ We shall behold Him” sung by the Jeremy Winston Chorale and more!
Throughout the program, the Breath of Life Speaker/Director, Dr. Carlton P. Byrd delivers sermonettes pointing to the resurrection of Jesus, promoting hope through Jesus’ resurrection and explaining the power that He embodies and gives to us because “He lives.” With this special holiday broadcast, Breath of Life seeks again, to spread the gospel beyond the church walls, inspiring those far and wide and encouraging the hopeless.
“The Awakening” is the fifth live taping to be broadcasted on network television. Most recently, “King of Kings,” the 2018 Christmas special, touched the lives of millions (in 2018 and 2019), with featured artists: Kirk Franklin, Shélea, and Oakwood University’s Aeolians. This program is made possible by way of ABC television collaborating with Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC) through Dr. Debra Gonsher Vinik, the Secretary/Treasurer at IBC, extending an invitation to Breath of Life Adventist ministries. Breath of Life operates in partnership with Adventist Media Ministries; an official ministry of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD). Breath of Life produces multimedia gospel-centered programming and resources with a commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people from a contemporary urban perspective.
