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A man with a beard and glasses speaking into a microphone on a stage with colorful lighting.
Source: @nia_noelle / Reach Media

Philly Misses Highly Anticipated Kirk Franklin Performance

What a bittersweet night for our Philly gospel community. On Sunday, thousands gathered at Independence Mall for the annual Gospel on Independence celebration, ready for a night of worship, praise and fellowship. While the night started with unmatched energy, severe storms unfortunately forced organizers to cancel right before headliner Kirk Franklin took the stage. Before the lightning rolled in, the atmosphere was absolutely electric.

The Wawa Welcome America event kicked off with incredible, spirit-filled performances by local favorite Paula Holloway and a massive choir of over 100 voices representing ministries from all over our region. The crowd was eager to see 20-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin in the city. For so many in the crowd, this night was exactly what their spirits needed. Attendee Robetta Jackson shared that she hadn’t been able to make it to church in three months, so this gathering was truly “church” for her.

It was heartbreaking when the safety announcements came over the speakers due to the approaching storm. Still, even though we didn’t get to see Kirk, the night wasn’t a total loss. The fellowship, the shared voices, and the unity we experienced before the rain came down reminded us how powerful our community is when we gather together. We’re looking forward to having him back soon!

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