Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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J Street hosts gospel event featuring local, national artists

Christian outreach student organization Word Up! celebrated its eighth annual Gospel Explosion in Columbian Square Saturday evening with thumping beats and powerful gospel-music melodies.

The event featured both local and national artists, including D.C. rapper Brandon “Reaps,” Christian rock band Warrior Poetes and local rhythm-and-blues singer Nu G. Between sets, audience members participated in worship activities and group prayer, mostly led by Word Up! founder Lindsey Marsh.

“The purpose of Gospel Explosion is to culminate the presence of God openly and creatively,” Marsh said. “We hope to bring the gospel to GW in innovative ways. You won’t find any boring church services here.”

This year’s event took place in the Marvin Center for the first time, which brought more passers-by to sit in and listen. About 100 people attended the event thoughout the evening. In previous years, the festival took place in less-popular areas of campus.

“We definitely wanted a blend of everybody, not just Word Up! members,” said Word Up! President Laetitia Lukanda, a senior. “We chose this area (of campus) so more people could hear what was going on, and so they could come and see what we’re really all about.”

In addition to music and prayer services, Marsh promoted her new book, “The Best Sex of My Life: A Guide to Purity,” to promote sexual abstinence among young people. Marsh, an anesthesiologist, received both her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from GW, and was ordained as a minister at 21.

Following Marsh’s lead, Christian writer and music producer Eric Cooper also promoted his book and independent record label at the Gospel Explosion. Cooper, who authored “Covenant Relationships,” was excited about the event’s vibrant audience, and said he’d “definitely come again.”

Local rapper Brandon “Reaps” kicked off the musical portion of the event.

“Rap is my tool to praise God. It’s a way to show how I love Him, and to bring worshippers together,” he said.

Similarly, the Connecticut-based Warrior Poetes, or “the Dixie Chicks of Christian rock,” as Marsh calls the group, also performed songs from their new album. The band consists of three sisters who tour nationally.

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