Gospel Artists Inspire at Soulful YCLC Concert

Photos courtesy of YCLC

What are you grateful for?

That was the opening question of the soulful Young Christian Leadership Conference (YCLC) concert program, “Blinky Williams Presents,” on Aug. 12. Featured special guest and gospel-trained vocalist Sondra “Blinky” Williams — a former Motown Records R&B singer-songwriter — kicked off the Los Angeles Family Church event bringing together various musicians and people of faith for a powerful evening of worship.

YCLC Director and LA Family Church pastor, Joshua Holmes, said YCLC represents a “new generation.” He described the concert program as an “encounter with God,” where more than 60 people in the live audience joined nearly 300 more participants online via livestream.

“YCLC is about raising a generation of young leaders,” Pastor Holmes said in his remarks. “We want to raise transformational leaders in our generation, and I find that is the key to solving so many of the issues that we see today.”

Pastor Holmes recalled his own journey of faith, as well as a personal story that profoundly touched him and directed him toward ministry. He shared how a dear friend had attempted to take his own life because he felt he didn’t matter.

“That moment bore into my soul,” Pastor Holmes said. “I had no idea what to do.”

He described the moment as a “decision-making point” for him to pursue God’s calling. Each person, as a child of God, can uniquely stimulate and relate to God like no one else can, said Pastor Holmes, who was inspired to help people recognize their own intrinsic value. 

“Many [people] are called,” he said, “but the response is when we are chosen ... This is YCLC’s responsibility [to share God’s Word].”

The concert program included songs of praise from the LA Band, Matt Ishizuka, and Pastor Calvin Rhone & Gospel Music Workshop of America (LA Chapter), among other artists.

“I want to be a blessing to the LA Family Church,” said singer Blinky, who noted we get back what we give. The three-hour concert ignited the audience, with people of all ages joyously dancing and singing along to the performances.

“May our hearts blossom with [God’s] Word,” said Pastor Holmes. “May this be a foundation for us to be a beacon of hope ... for the world to see and inherit from.”

You can learn more about the ongoing work of the Young Christian Leadership Conference here.