Port City Church of God Hosts First Gospel Jam

    Almost 100 people came to listen, perform and fellowship at the very first gospel jam at Port City Church of God.  Organizers Jerry Murkerson and Deborah Cox have been going to Saturday night gospel jams in Vernon, Warsaw and Chipley. Being musicians themselves they thought it would be nice to have one in Bainbridge. When they approached Pastor Joe Tatum to see if it could be held at Port City Church of God, he was more than happy to accommodate them. “I thought it was one of the best ideas I’d heard in a while,” said Pastor Tatum. He’d been thinking about doing something like this and  “Jerry came in and filled in the blanks.”   Pastor Tatum said he likes the laid back informality of the gospel jam. Port City had always been a church with a very musical background and he himself makes and plays instruments. He plays accordion, fiddle, piano, guitar, bass and  lap dulcimer.
    For some it was their first time performing in front of a group of people such as two individuals who are taking guitar and bass lessons from Jerry Murkerson. Murkerson himself has been playing the guitar since he was eight years old. Forty five years later he sings, plays guitar, upright bass, banjo,  fiddle, mandolin and electric bass.  Deborah Cox also sings and plays upright and electric bass.
     The gospel jam is for pickers who want to learn from experienced players.  “You can’t learn unless you play, “ said Deborah.  It is a way for people to get together and play on a Saturday  night without an atmosphere of tobacco and alcohol. It offers the community a family atmosphere and music to uplift the Lord.
     With all types of instruments available,  anyone was invited to come up and play.  Individuals  who wanted to sing signed up to do two songs each and those with instruments followed along. Southern gospel, country gospel, bluegrass gospel and urban gospel were enjoyed by everyone there.  Some of the songs performed were “Mother’s Bible”, “I Claim Jesus”, “As I Stand by the Side of the Mountain”. “Where We’ll Never Grow Old”, “You Don’t Have To”, “Amazing Grace”, “Dust on the Bible”, “Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand”, “Hallelujah Square”, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”, “I Saw the Light”, “Three Wooden Crosses” and “He’s an On Time God”.
    The gospel jam was a great success and lots of fun.  The gospel jam will be held every third Saturday of the month at the Port City Church of God at 6:00pm. Jerry and Deborah would like to thank Pastor Joe Tatum and all the members of the church who helped out. Pepsi-Cola donated eight cases of soda and other individuals donated cakes. If you have questions about the next gospel jam please give Jerry Murkerson a call at 229-400-0293. For complete photos of the gospel jam click here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.147242522015707.37343.100001898808684.
   Pastor Tatum would like to invite everyone to come to services.  The church is a Pentecostal church and their motto is "where we worship the king and work for the kingdom." Wednesday’s evening service is at 7:00pm. On Sundays, Sunday school begins at 10:00am, children’s church and morning worship at 11:00am and evening worship at 6:00pm.  Port City Church of God is located at 2351 Dothan Road in Bainbridge. The phone number is 229-246-7083. Pastor Tatum can also be reached at 229-515-3056 or 912-539-0017.