Easter Concert Brings Methodists and Mormons Together for Worship

For nearly ten years, an Easter concert celebration has brought members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints together with other Christian faiths.

The Vancouver Washington West Stake hosts the “Life of Christ” event, and this year invited the Community African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church to join them in celebration of Christ’s life. Mormon Newsroom reports that Reverend Joyce Smith, Sr. Pastor at AME Zion Church, accepted the invitation with enthusiasm.

[pull_quote_center]It doesn’t matter what denomination you’re from. If we know Jesus that’s the most important thing of all.[/pull_quote_center]

The two congregations came together to celebrate their common belief in Jesus Christ as they were blessed with the musical talent of the Community AME Zion Choir and the Latter-day Saint Nashville Tribute Band. Prior to the beginning of the event, members of the Nashville band joined the Methodist choir for a prayer meeting.

Dan Truman, a member of the Nashville Tribute Band, explained that this meeting had a huge impact on him and his bandmates, according to Mormon Newsroom. He said,

[pull_quote_center]We were all in a circle holding hands and we start singing with them, and I look around and there [are] different guys in our group, … and there [are] tears coming down [their faces] because… it was so beautiful… and spiritual.[/pull_quote_center]

All the proceeds from the concert were given to the AME Zion Church which Smith says was an answer to prayers. The Church had encountered some setbacks, and the money from the concert will allow them to install some much needed wheelchair ramps to the church restrooms.

Smith expressed gratitude to the Latter-day Saint members of the Vancouver Washington West stake for the opportunity to join another faith in musical worship of Christ. “It’s all God’s children just getting together,” said Smith. “What a time, what a time! And we saw a little of that, … and for that I will be forever grateful to the Latter-day Saints.”