'Gospel Explosion' returns to Victoria after over 3-year hiatus
VICTORIA, Texas - It’s been nearly four years since Ricky Mumphord has hosted what he calls ‘Gospel Explosion’ and on Saturday, February 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. the Holy Spirit will return to the Crossroads, showcasing a stellar lineup of church choirs from all around the Crossroads.
“Gospel explosion, that’s what we call it. So we get a lot of local groups from Victoria, churches here in Victoria, churches outside of Victoria. We have a good ole’ time singing and praising God,” said Mumphord.
Gospel Explosion also is a great way to celebrate Black History Month, with Gospel music having its roots within Black history and culture.
“Just growing up and learning about from slavery, they would sing gospel songs, and songs that would be messaging each other, like ‘I’ll let you know we're about to go this way, we're gonna go this way, we’re gonna escape tonight and we're gonna do so. Gospel, it's just, as hard as times have been, we still praise God and that's the main thing that I think has kept Blacks to continue to be successful in life. If you want to be successful keep God first,” said Mumphord.
Ricky is also the co-owner of Mumphord’s BBQ and Gospel music has influenced his business.
“Every morning, Mumphord’s plays, we open up with Gospel music every morning. Just praising God, let Him know we’re her trying to make a living and hoping he’s there to bless us when we open them doors,” said Mumphord.
Ricky grew up in the church and has been a member at Bethlehem Baptist Church also influencing his BBQ restaurant.
“As long as you lived in my dad’s house you go to church on Sunday. He was the one who told us to not work on a Sunday if you didn’t have to, and that’s something we do here. We close on Sundays and Mondays,” said Mumphord.
Gospel Explosion also honors two individuals who had a great impact on the Crossroads. Deacon Roy Buckner who was the President of the Brotherhood, a bible study for men that helped bring various churches together to learn about and praise God.
“He was just the type of guy that loved God and made sure things were done. Made sure our brotherhood kept going, that’s something he never wanted to stop so we’ve tried to keep that going for him,” said Mumphord.
Gospel Explosion also pays tribute to former Victoria Mayor Rawley McCoy.
"Just someone that I saw, and we saw, that was trying to bring this community together as a whole. He wanted southside to be good, he wanted northside to be good. He wanted Victoria to be whole. That was just an honor to watch him, he had a real heart, he was for real,” said Mumphord.
So come on out to St. Peter’s Baptist Church 2708 South Laurent Street to honor some Victoria greats, celebrate Black History Month, hear some gospel music, and like Rickey says, maybe even find God.
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Adam Seibel is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He made his first appearance on the news at a young age when a local station got some b-roll of him, and his recently decimated home destroyed by a tornado. Adam got his start in journalism through his school’s yearbook club and later attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman where he studied broadcast journalism. When not on the job Adam enjoys anything outdoors, from fishing to riding his longboard. He also enjoys live music performances and is an avid Sooner football fan (he said he’ll be sure to leave the OU shirts at home if he visits Austin). Adam joined 25 News Now as a multi-skilled journalist in June 2021. If you see him around town feel free to say hi and get to know him!
