Fantasia Turns Concert Into Worship Service; 10 Souls Reportedly Get Saved
Popular R&B singer Fantasia Barrino has sparked a contentious debate online after she reportedly turned one of her recent concerts in Florida into a soul-stirring worship service while wearing a skimpy costume some have frowned upon as a mere "bathing suit."
Several videos posted on Facebook show the singer delivering a soul-stirring rendition of Jonathan David and Melissa Helser's worship song "Abba" which some online reports say resulted in more than 10 people committing their lives to Christ.
"This is my ministry. Thank you Jonathan David and Melissa Helser for creating this beautiful song "Abba" and allowing the Lord to use you. We end our shows in worship. #TheDefinitionOfTour," the singer declared in a Facebook post last Monday acknowledging the performance.
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The Christian Post reached out to Barrino's management team regarding the online claims of people committing their lives to Christ at her concert but they did not provide comment before publication of this report.
While many praised the singer for being sensitive to the move of God even while entertaining a secular crowd, many others raised concerns about the way in which she was doing her ministry.
"Fantasia kills me!! Constantly tryna do praise and worship at these concerts with her lil bathing suit outfits!" complained Maryland resident Chauncey L. Pendleton in a post on Facebook on Monday.
Drae Mac of Miami, Florida, who said he was at the concert with his wife, told CP on Monday that despite the criticisms of the singer he felt the move of God as she ministered and everyone else at the concert did too.
While he could not confirm that more than 10 people were saved, he said he would not be surprised if it happened.
"I know God's presence and without a doubt He was there! Fantasia had the whole building worshiping God. I'm not surprised that people were saved. She poured her heart out for God that night. I was truly amazed and grateful to have been there to witness it," he told CP.
Before singing "Abba," Barrino alluded to the recently concluded presidential election.
"There's so much going on in the world today. But you must understand it is God who is your president. He's the only man who you should put your trust in? Why are we acting crazy? You better chase and seek after Him. What happened to praying for your sister and your brother? Nobody does that anymore. Learn how to pray for your sister and your brother," she said, sobbing.
She then proceeded to lead the concertgoers into worship, directing them to lift their hands to God while saying, "it ain't me. It's the anointing on my life."
Directing her comments at the singer's critics, Newark resident Tori A. Manning warned people not to judge her because of what she was wearing.
"God can truly use anyone anywhere, Fantasia (or most of the people in the audience) wasn't worried about her performance costume. They were all just moved by the spirit of God washing over the atmosphere. She was a vessel right then and there, and in doing this, she reached more souls than a historical Southern Baptist Church on an early Sunday morning," wrote manning.
"You don't know who was at that concert in that crowd that God was trying to reach out to at that very moment! Judge none, God knows who He's using and He knows what He's doing. His plans and purposes are not coincidental," she added.
