BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL 2008 – “SPIRIT IN SONG” IS BACK:

Back again for the eighth groundbreaking year in a row is BET’s “Celebration of Gospel.” If you thought the 2007 telecast was amazing, you don’t want to miss this year’s offering of the world’s best gospel talent, as well as secular artists who welcome the chance to showcase their spiritual roots.

The 2008 “Celebration of Gospel” kicks off on BET on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). This year’s theme is “Spirit and Song,” and there’s plenty of both this year.

Host Steve Harvey returns as the show’s MC, giving COG its comedic balance but not straying too far from its gospel roots.

This year’s lineup includes the always fabulous Patti Labelle along with gospel stalwarts like Kirk Franklin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Pastor Shirley Caesar, J Moss, Israel Houghton and Yolanda Adams. Chicago-born singer/songwriter John Legend allowed fans to see a new side of him in his stirring performance. New this year, is a special appearance by the “Sunday Best” top five finalists, including winner Crystal Aiken. For those of you who watched and voted while Crystal Aiken competed, you’ll enjoy seeing the top contenders together again doing what they do best – praising the Lord in song.

Like last year, “Celebration of Gospel 2008” has its share of celebrity attendees, including Tyrese and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. It will also have its share of memorable performances. The 2007 Celebration of Gospel broke records to become the No. 1-watched religious show in television history, with more than 2.5 million viewers, so you know this year’s will be even better.

More… Make sure to watch on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), only on BET!

Even More.. Below are some pictures from the Celebration of Gospel Red Carpet.

Fred Hammond and Guest

Israel and New Breed

J Moss and Paul Allen – PAJAM

John Legend

Sunday Best Finalist Tasha Collins, Shari Addison, Crystal Aikin, Emily Gomez and Jermaine Sellers are reunited

Bobby Jones and Yolanda Adams

Marvin and MaLinda Sapp

Judge Mabelin

TONEX and Guest

Trin-i-ty 5:7

17 Responses to "BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL 2008 – “SPIRIT IN SONG” IS BACK:"

Pamela Polk says:

January 28, 2008 at 9:55 pm

I was dissappointed in the event this year. Up until Isreal Haughton and Marvin Sapp, Jesus was no where in the picture or in the Program. I thought to myself, did these artitst missed the memo? I didn’t expect certain artist to worship our Lord since their own music does not reflect the LORDSHIP OF OUR REDEEMER. However, for the Gospel Artist themselves need to return to their prayer closet and get back in Sunday School and Bible Study to gain God’s agenda. A refresher in Bible 101 never hurt anyone. It is always good to encourage, but to do it without the WORD of GOD is in vain.
marlon says:

January 29, 2008 at 5:07 pm

I don’t agree with ms. polk about the comment she made about certain artist worshiping our God. As a Christian it is a duty to bring others to Christ. And you can not get others to Christ if you don’t won’t them to be around. I just think that we all need to evaluate ourselves before we try singling others out b/c we all sin and fall short.
Sevolnam says:

January 30, 2008 at 7:39 am

Thank you Brother Marlon…

Very nicely put… I appreciate how respectfully decent and in order you reminded Sistah Polk about where her place should be in vocalizing what she may deem to be an unintentional thought…

To you Sistah Polk I would like to share that in these times we all struggle to live, unfortunately these stated thoughts usually reduce themselves to opinions, where others become defensive and wind up being taking as demeaning, judgmental statements…

I recall as a child growing under the tutelage of my grandmother, whom instilled and shared her greatest gift and legacy with me, which was the living Word of God… That course that you expounded on my Sistah, speaks of “Sunday School/Bible 101″ and in these courses I recall the Word explicitly teaching in Matthew 7:1,2… “Judge Not, that ye be not Judge… For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” …

So with that said Sistah Polk, let us not forget that that Our Great and Mighty God listens to all of his children… and His depth of perception is not to limited to what anyone of us might perceive as the expectation of certain artist to worship our Lord since their own music does not reflect the LORDSHIP OF OUR REDEEMER. You would be surprised if you were to allow your spirit man to discern if the soul of these artists music and their lyrics are pleasing unto God…

The God I serve has elevated many of us to understand that he doesn’t see nor does he hear through tunnel vision… I couldn’t imagine that his capabilities weren’t greater then surround sound, if you can feel me…

You see, the key word her my Sistah is that Our Lord is the GREAT REDEEMER… A REDEEMER that loves His sinner man just as well as his saints… According to Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God”… And that says it a lot to me…

Keep in mind my Sistah… Our place as ambassadors of Christ is to Love them and show them the pure love through the example of a Christ like life style. Keep feeding these Artists they too are God’s Sheep…

Because of Christ… Peace be upon you both…

Be Blessed and a Blessing…
Dottie says:

January 31, 2008 at 8:48 pm

I agree with Ms Polk, indeed! This was my first time viewing the program and the three persons that actually “ministered” was Shirley Caesar, Israel Houghton and Marvin Sapp. I tell you, God is not playing when He is calling for a Glorified Body of Believers, not unbelieving Believers to do HIS will and not your own. Yes, people love various kinds of music, but is it merely enough to have your toes tapping, or is it the kind that has you thinking about Jesus; who is ALWAYS the MAIN THEME of EVERYTHING we say and do? Does the music show you where you are standing and where you really need to be? Does it minister to your heart and cause you to take a look at your life, or can you simply dismiss those questions and enjoy the rest of the performance. “Singing” should not be a performance, but MINISTRY unto God. Actually, the music is supposed to prepare your heart to receive the Word of God which is to follow the psalmist. And this my blessed borthers and sister in Christ is MY observation said ONLY in love.
Yvonne Jackson says:

February 3, 2008 at 6:57 pm

Thank you Brother Marlon & Sevolnam but I too agree with Sister Polk & Dottie. Although I do enjoy most of today’s contemporary music, I still have a problem with all the “hoopla” and the “hype” in some of the music. It seems to be presented as “entertainment” instead of “MINISTRY”, which is what it should be. There IS a difference in “praise dancing” and “street dancing”. Like Sister Dottie said, Gospel Music is supposed to prepare your heart for the Word of God and if there is no sermon then the MUSIC itself should minister to you. Most of the music is good but I consider it more “inspirational” and “entertainment” rather than “Gospel”.
But…my main comment is that I have watched the Celebration of Gospel for years, I love it, and plan to continue to watch it, but…….WHY in all these years has the “FATHER OF GOSPEL”, Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, never been mentioned??? There is an award presented in the name of James Cleveland, the SON of gospel, every year but never anything about Dr. Dorsey. If it wasn’t for Dr. Dorsey, we would not even have GOSPEL, not to mention the Celebration of Gospel. Dr. Dorsey started gospel music back in the early 1900′s and he, along with Sally Martin and Willa Mae Ford Smith and others, started the Thomas Dorsey Natl Convention of Gospel Choirs & Choruses in 1932 which is still going strong today!!! James Cleveland was a great gospel artist, but he CAME OUT of the Thomas Dorsey convention as did many other gospel artists like Pastor Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker–The Caravans, The O’neil Twins, The Barrett Sisters and many, many more. Our young people today should know about and always remember the struggles that Dr. Dorsey & Sally Martin went thru trying to take the gospel all across the country back then. And do they know how his song, “Precious Lord” (the most popular gospel song there is) came about? How he penned this song after the death of his wife & child while he was on the road?? They should know this. A lot of young people probably think James Cleveland started “gospel”. Now this year, I thought I heard mention of an award in the name of Dr. Bobby Jones, which is all well and good, but… DR. THOMAS A. DORSEY SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!! There should be/should have been an award in his name, the “FATHER” of Gospel.
I truly hope the producers of the program or anyone else who reads this comment, will take note and make sure Dr. Dorsey is NOT FORGOTTEN at next year’s “Celebration of Gospel” or anything else gospel-related. How can you honor the “son” and not the “FATHER”?????
Note: The Thomas A. Dorsey Natl Convention will be celebrating its 75th year in Chicago in August, 2008.
For information go to http://www.ncgccinc.com
Thank you.
Brenda says:

February 5, 2008 at 2:20 am

I love to watch Bet’s Celebration of Gospel. This year Marvin Sapp praised the Lord to the highest. There was not a dry eye in the place. Praise the Lord.
blessedbythebest says:

February 15, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Hello to All the Wanna BE Holy Rollers,

Dont get so involved into what someone else is doing thus missing out on HEAVEN yourself because you think someone don’t fit your standards of holyness.

It’s not about you but CHRIST. He’s the only one that can judge, people say well I’m not judging I’m correcting out of love, CORRECT YOUR SELF FIRST GET THE PLANK OUT OF YOUR EYE BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO PULL IT OUT OF YOUR BROTHER’S EYE. You simply cannot obey part of the word and dismiss other parts because you feel that part of that scripture contain things you want to expound on.

Everybody wants to say it’s out of love, whatever happened to praying and if the show affected you in that way OOH OOH I HAVE A MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION? WHY DID YOU CONTINUE TO WATCH IT? WHAT SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO JUDGE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ?PEOPLE PLEASE PEOPLE!!!!!!!! STOP THE HOLYROLLER MADNESS.

Stop looking for people to please you, yes were to do the work of GOD but don’t you think if you prayed instead of judging things would work in favor of the person doing wrong; or so you say that person doing wrong. This is why satan have a hold on things because as people of THE BODY OF CHRIST WE TEAR EACH OTHER DOWN INSTEAD OF BUILDING OUR PEOPLE UP. satan HAD ENOUGH OF OUR TIME IT’S NOW TIME TO SERVE CHRIST!!!!!

DID YOU TELL ABOUT THE UNSANCTIFIED CONVERSATION THAT YOU WERE HAVING WITH YOUR SISTER AND BROTHER ABOUT A COUSIN OR ANOTHER RELATIVE THAT WRONG YOU? WHAT ABOUT YOUR FILING KIDS THAT YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO ON YOUR INCOME TAX BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T TAKE CARE OF THEM FOR 12 MONTHS? GETTING MONEY THAT’S NOT RIGHTFULLY YOURS. OOH WHAT ABOUT THE BILL COLLECTOR YOU KEEP TELLING I’M GOING TO PAY AND YOU NEVER DO THAT’S A FORM OF LYING. WHAT ABOUT THE FORNICATING, LIVING WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND, CUSSING, YELLING, DRINKING, SMOKING, PLAYING LOTTERY AND GOING TO THE BOAT. ALL I’M SAYING IS THAT WE ALL HAVE WORK TO DO AND UNTIL JESUS SAY WELL DONE TO YOU, WHICH MEANS YOUR ON YOUR WAY TO THE HOLY PLACE DONT PUT YOUR MOUTH ON NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!. WE’RE ALL STILL LEARNING NONE OF YOU ALL, NONE OF YOU NOT ONE IS ABOVE SINNING AS A MATTER OF FACT SOME OF YOU GUYS ACT LIKE YOUR HATING BECAUSE MAYBE YOU WANTED TO BE THERE AND TRUST IF YOU WERE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN ON YOUR FEET WHEN KIRK FRANKLIN, J MOSS AND WHO EVER YOU THOUGHT WASN’T HOLY ENOUGH FOR YOU, YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN ON YOUR FEET.

So Holy you going to miss out on HEAVEN, that’s what a holyness sanctified preacher said to a congregation of CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST SAINTS. You can act like that if you want but CHRIST KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YOU AND THAT’S YOUR HEART. STOP JUDGING FOLKS LIKE YOU ALL THAT A BAG OF CHIPS,DIP AND A PEPSI ON THE SIDE BECAUSE YOUR NOT, YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW I KNOW? BECAUSE YOUR STILL HERE ON EARTH WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE WORK TO DO AND JESUS DIDN’T SAY WELL DONE. UNDERCOVER CLUBBERS,LYERS, ALDUTERS AND CHEATERS!!!!!! HOLLA (WITH THE WORD OF CHRIST).

YOU DIDN’T FEEL GOD BECAUSE YOU DONT HAVE HIM NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE YOU CLAP, STOMP ,PRAY, AND DANCE IN THE NAME OF JESUS YOU SHOULD ALREADY FEEL THAT WAY WITHIN. BUNDLED HIDDEN FELLINGS BECAUSE YOUR REALLY NOT HAPPY AND THAT’S HOW JESUS WANTS US TO BE HAPPY DONT LIVE FOR HIM BEGRUDGINGLY THUS MAKING EVERBODY AROUND YOU FEEL INADEQUATE DO IT BECAUSE THATS THE WAY WERE SUPPOSE TO LIVE ANYWAYS. THAT WHY HE GAVE HIS LIVE FOR US READ YOUR BIBLE FOLKS AND STOP MISSING BIBLE CLASS AND SUNDAY SERVICE BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T GET YOUR HAIR DONE OR BECAUSE YOU STAYED OUT TOO LATE THE NIGHT BEFORE. STOP BEING COMPLACENT AND STUCK IN YOUR WAYS AND SURELY A CHANGE WILL COME GOD WILL BEGIN TO REVEAL THINGS TO YOU.
Evangelist says:

February 15, 2008 at 10:25 pm

thank you sister blessedbythebest, brothers marlon and sevolnam. we can see who’s definitely reading and applying the word of God to their lives it’s one thing to read but to apply it makes it all the more. lets continue to pray for people who are decieved like this furthering the work of the flesh and the devil. you speak who you are and things simply cannot be revealed because of the edification that needs to to place, but because your not rooted and guided by the word you stunt your growth. Don’t continue to the seed that’s been planted simply become that flower your suppose to be, let’s stop being the acorn and turn into the oak.

Godbless,
Evangelist
blessedbythebest says:

February 22, 2008 at 4:33 am

GODBLESS U SIS. BRENDA,

Thank You for that I know I told the truth something we as Christians dont want to hear, dont know why but everything you just said was spoken already if you were reading the post with truth in it. I think you spoke a little more profoundly but I know in my heart that’s exactly what I meant.

GodBless U Sister
B. ROBERTS says:

July 7, 2008 at 9:00 pm

I INTERESTED IN INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEXT BET GOSPEL CELEBRATION PROGRAM FOR TICKETS. YOUR EARLIEST ATTENTION REGARDING THIS QUESITON IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANK U
L. Howard says:

July 10, 2008 at 11:46 pm

I would like info regarding next year’s COG. I would love to be able to attend. So any information you have such as (venue, ticket prices) will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
The real truth says:

February 18, 2009 at 10:52 pm

All of you guys have it so twisted, lol. Polk and dottie and them are on point. That whole show was garbage and the holy spirit was nowhere to be found. For those saying dottie and them are foul for what they say, you guys have just did the same thing, talking foul and hating on them and saying” oh we know who the real ones applying the word of god are”. LOL you do not know the word but what your wayward preacher tells you. Get christ for yourselves and stop evangelying.
Leslie Goldsboro says:

March 3, 2009 at 9:19 pm

I would like to know when the celebration of gospel “2009″will be coming out on DVD.I really enjoyed it and would like to buy it rigth away.
keshia says:

May 19, 2009 at 2:37 am

IT’S THIS GOSPEL SONG I LIKE AND I DONT KNOW THE NAME OF IT O.K IT’S SOMETHING LIKE ” LIKE THE WATER NEED IT ? I NEED YOU LIKE THE MOUNTAIN NEED IT’S ? I NEED YOU IT’S A MAN SINGING AND THE GROUP IN THE BACKGROUND ???? DO U KNOW THE NAME LOL LOL LOL
Rebecca Roberts says:

July 4, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Blessedbythebest you said it, who ever you are God Bless You…keep pressing in and on and your focus on Christ. What I wanna know is when are they gonna invite JOHN P KEE to minister and perform!! HOLLA!!!
Tyler Allen says:

November 14, 2009 at 4:08 pm

I WANTED TO SEE mARY ,MARY @ ISREAL @ VICKIE wINIANS ALSO SO CAN YOU SEND ME A DVD OF ALL THE CELEBERTIES. I LIVE AT 1158jACKSON RD. Even THE CLARK SISTERS
Tyler Allen says:

November 14, 2009 at 4:08 pm

I WANTED TO SEE mARY ,MARY @ ISREAL @ VICKIE wINIANS ALSO SO CAN YOU SEND ME A DVD OF ALL THE CELEBERTIES. I LIVE AT 1158jACKSON RD. Even THE CLARK SISTERS

Comments are closed.

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