St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1955-07-08
Youth Congress Notes

Typical of the comment heard
among local people was the re-
mark of a Minneapolis business
man, Funny thing, you can't tell
those Church of God In Christ
folks from the rest of the people"
Attendance at the meeting was
closer to 1900 than to the 5000
expected. Even with the lower at
tendance for the first few days,
the local housing committee had
its hands full. Minneapolis and
st. Paul are a long way from pop
ulation centers which boast the
biggest church membership Of the
Church of God In Christ. This re-
duced attendance somewhat.
Gospel singing. always an i'm
portant part of the meetings and
worship Of the denomination was
in full swing from early morn
ing until late at night. On three Of
the mornings of the congress a six
o'clock prayer meeting was held.
There were singers everywhere.
Soloists, trios, quartets and larger
groups appeared throughout the
sessions Young Bobby Nealy of
Oklahoma City. national organist
of the congress added tremendous
ly to the music portion of the pro-
grams. A master OF the organ,
Mr.. Nealy added to the perform
ances of the best singers, and
singing groups and helped the
weaker groups through their num-
bers with superb musicianship.
Bobby Nealy resides in Oklaho-
ma City and has just received his
B-A. in Music from Langston Uni
versity. He plans to study for his
Masters degree after teaching for
year. He is hard worker who
seems to like to play either the
piano or organ and his art at mus
ic kept things from tagging at any
moment.
The biggest crowd of the con-
vention heard the annual sermon
of the president of the convention,
Bishop o. T. Jones Sr. The people
have a tremendous respect for
Bishop Jones who seems to be re-
garded as the father" of groups
young and old.
Delegates from the Deep
South were very pleased with
the friendliness Of Minnesota
white people. Several reported
acts Of kindness which people
on the streets, In hotels, public
conyeyances extended them.
Rev. Earl F. Baumhofer, direct
or of Religious Education for the
Greater Minneapolis Council Of
Churches who welcomed the con-
gress in behalf Of the Profess
tant churches on civic night,
praised local churches for their
progressive advance. He took time
out to compliment Cecil Newman
Spokesman and Recorder news
papers as one Of the great citi-
gems of the city and state, with
out regard to race or color"
Mr.. Newman was also on the
program and praised the Mime
sofa Churches Of God In Christ
for their progress from sometimes
ridicuied store-front churches to
denomination of growing
strength and influence in the
states religious life.
Church officials say younger
men with better education are
being attracted to the ministry
Of the faith. II was noticeable
that many Of the younger min
listers In attendance at the con-
gress boosted college degrees In
accredited institutions
About 200 delegates and va-
tors were housed In downtown
Minneapolis hotels All Of them
with whom this reporter talked
were extremely pleased by ac-
comodations and the courtesy Of
hotel staff and managements.
One woman told how . white
woman guest II one botea
struck mp IN acquaintance with
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