Haitian Benefit Concert

What began as a fifth Sunday Night Sing turned into a great worship experience and raising $1000 for the Haitian benefit effort.

Dr. William Knowles, Chair of the Music Department at Tennessee Temple University and director of the Weigle Concert Choir and ensemble is also interim Music Director at New Salem Baptist in Soddy Daisy. Dr. Knowles met with Pastor Alan Rogers of New Salem and discussed instead of having their usual Fifth Sunday Night Sing in January, asked would it be appropriate for him to bring his choir to New Salem for a concert. Pastor Rogers agreed. After seeing that the church was highlighted on News Channel 12 for collecting medical supplies to be delivered by missionaries at the end of February, Knowles decided to make this a Haitian benefit concert.

The snow and ice on January 31st closed many churches for their Sunday morning service, however New Salem decided to go ahead with the Sunday evening concert. Both Pastor Rogers and Dr. Knowles were ready to accept a smaller than usual crowd for the concert. They had a better crowd than had been expected and God's people from New Salem and the community of Soddy Daisy responded generously giving $1000 to the Haitian relief effort. The money will go through the Southern Baptist Convention's Haitian relief effort.

The reason for this article is not to lift up Soddy Daisy Baptist Church or Tennessee Temple Choir. Tennessee Temple Choir is seeking churches in our area who would be interested in inviting TTU Weigle Choir and ensemble to offer a benefit concert for the Haitian people as well. We believe every effort what ever the size, counts toward helping these people who are so much need.