Zion Tabernacle Rocks and “Rolls”

By Dion Evans, Religion Editor “Bounce! Rock, Skate!  Roll, Bounce,” is the song that avid roller skaters typically move to, but on Sunday, thanks to Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church in Oakland, Bay Area skate lovers were bouncing to the latest Gospel Music tunes from Fred Hammond, Vicki Winans, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin and others as they hosted Gospel Skate night. Gospel Comedian J-Redd, Earnest Larkin of Ambassadors for Christ Choir and Charmaine Domino of Magic Fingers Hair Salon and Barber were some of the noted guests who skated. Tinka Blackmond, Sunday Morning DJ on KMEL’s (FM106) Gospel Show joined in the promotion of the event. Coordinator, Rev. Bernard Emerson, son of Zion Tabernacles’ Senior Pastor, Bishop Alonzo Emerson said, ““We just wanted to have something fun for the young people and that’s why I am out here with skates on.  This gives them something else to do and allows them to know they can be young, saved and have fun.” McGee Avenue Baptist won the night’s prize for the church that brought the most paid skaters – 28 people, mostly youth ranging from ages 6 to 19 years.  Lewis, further stated, “I think it is good that youth groups interact with other youth from different churches and are able to serve and fellowship with one another while having fun.” Supporting the Gospel Skate Party was, Remonia Brown, the oldest member (90 years old) of Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church.  She said, “I always come out for whatever the young people are doing.  I always try to support them and do whatever I can to help them.  I think it is good for the youth to come together like this to keep them out of trouble and learn how to be Christians and get along with each other.” Behind the scenes, Mother Brown had a friendly challenge with Rev. Bernard Emerson.  She said, “He got to skate and if he falls he owes me $20 dollars.”