Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Ministers in Angola

“Hope” is not a word typically associated with the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. But that is exactly what The Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers brought to one of the country’s most dangerous maximum security prisons.  Now the live concert experience along with a documentary is available through The Miracle of Hope DVD, available April 15. 

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers, a core traveling group of vocalists from the New York City-based Choir, is best known for their dynamic performances at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Gardens. But, Angola may be the most moving concert ever given by the GRAMMY Award winning group. 

A maximum security facility, Angola is widely known to be the bloodiest prison in the US, with an average sentence of 88 years.  If ever there were a place where hopelessness could abound, this would be it.  But, in the midst of inevitable despair, prisoners are finding hope in Christ through ministries and outreaches such as those offered by The Brooklyn Tabernacle.  And, the result is that over 1200 inmates have accepted Jesus Christ, finding true freedom in him.

“You see the love of Christ in Angola that's pure and very rare,” says Brooklyn Tabernacle Senior Pastor Jim Cymbala.  “It's kind of like a unique mission field.”

The story of Angola’s spiritual revival is woven throughout The Miracle of Hope.  The DVD includes a powerful full concert plus a compelling docu-video complete with warden and inmate interviews focusing on the amazing revival that is occurring there.  The performance song list for the DVD project includes inspiring songs such as “This Is How It Feels To Be Free,” “I’m Amazed,” “Hallelujah Anyhow,” “Saved,” “He’s God,” “My Life Is In Your Hands,” “Amazing Grace” and “Total Praise.”

The Miracle of Hope also contains inspiring testimonies from inmates and prison staff, including “Bishop” Eugene Tanniehill, a 7th grade dropout who was convicted in 1960 of murder during an armed robbery.  Incarcerated for almost a half a century, longer than any other inmate, Tanniehill became a born-again Christian.  Then, in August 2007, he gained his freedom after Gov. Kathleen Blanco commuted his life sentence at the recommendation of the state parole and pardon boards.  Tanniehill was released into the custody of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, where he hopes to help deter young men from becoming involved in crime.

Prior to the DVD’s April 15 release, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola will sponsor a one-day event on March 25 that includes a special premiere of the Miracle of Hope.