Tabernacle Christian Church hosted its first Holy Convocation last week from May 11-13.

“Holy Convocation is an event prescribed for the people of God first found in the book of Exodus,” said Bishop Carlton R. Upton Sr., the church’s senior pastor. “Simply put, it’s an occasion to formally celebrate the blessings of God among His people.”

For the congregants at Tabernacle, there is a lot to celebrate. Several years after the construction and occupation of its state-of-the-art modern campus, the church fell into foreclosure proceedings. However, the church did not give up. Recently, the church renegotiated its mortgage debt and has climbed out of foreclosure.

“This latest status reveals the hand of Providence in our affairs,” Upton said.

This past week’s event featured Tabernacle’s renowned music and arts department and several prominent ministers from Hampton Roads. Bishops Steven Banks of Newport News, Kim Brown of Chesapeake and Curtis Edmonds of Portsmouth ministered at the convocation. While hosted by Tabernacle Christian Church, the event was open to the public. There were lecture sessions, children and youth break-outs, and banquet spreads each night.

“This was the first Holy Convocation of many to come,” Upton said. “With God’s guidance, next year’s gathering will include even more festivities for greater Suffolk and the surrounding areas.”