Growing up in poverty in rural Arkansas is no new thing. How to get up and out of poverty has been the ongoing challenge and missing piece for years. Many persons, 50 and above have seen and been a part of God’s use of His people and have been able to say, ‘We Survived and declare ourselves, ‘Unstoppable Dreamers.’ Yes, the forces to oppress and deny are present, but the power to achieve is greater!
On March 18-20, the 47th Anniversary of the West Dumas Homecoming brings together survivors of many causes to come together and love one another. Homecoming returns and it’s bringing many people home to Dumas for love, restoration and good times. But it’s also about building a better Dumas (especially our youth) for tomorrow, TODAY. Homecoming began at the historic West Dumas COGIC.
But Homecoming is beyond one group. It’s about all of Dumas. In the past, elected officials such as Billy Free, Clay Oldner, Governor Clinton, etc., others like Merle Peterson would be on site embracing the success. It’s about people at home and people coming home for celebration of life and building for future. The weekend will feature something for everyone; worship and great preaching, networking at the Legacy Music Festival & Awards with vendors, including food, retail, local and outside businesses in the park of THE LEGACY CENTER. Other events happen at HMC-Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith and HTM- Harvest Time Ministries. Stories from ‘test to testimony’ and from trials to triumph will be shared.
Talent is rich in the Delta and Dumas has its brand on much of it. But not enough. From industry executives to performing artists, the talents will be home in Dumas for the three-day HOMECOMING-REUNION-CONVENTION event. The ask is for the city of Dumas to make this moment priority.
Today, we name only The Racy Brothers as one of the Headliners for the event. Their work in the music industry has survived many challenges says Pastor Walter Witherspoon, Jr. He says their new CD, which is entitled, “We Survived” is about how they as a family, as artists, as people of faith during COVID 19 relate this message from them to others in this music compilation. Survivor’s will not want to miss this.
During the Homecoming, Reunion and Convention Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., conveys their music will be a great magnet to bring people home to Dumas. They will perform “We Survived” and the new CD for the first time to the home crowd. Hunt will share stories and music of major challenges in the ministry.
“Unstoppable Dreamers” is both a theme and a musical project released by Hunt and The College of Aspiring Artists. It’s a hip-hop genre and comes from biblical records of many who did not stop keeping the faith. One account is in St. Mark chapter 2. A man who was paralyzed was determined to be healed. His four friends took him on his cot to the house of worship where Jesus was teaching and healing. When they could not enter the front door, the side doors, they looked up to God and thought, we can go up to the rooftop and cut an entrance. They did so and dropped their friend in the midst of the crowd. Jesus saw their faith, forgave the man and healed him. THIS IS WHAT UNSTOPPABLE looks like.
Can this be Dumas? Can we pursue to build our dreams? We say… Come to West Dumas, March 18-20 and be the difference that makes ‘ALLOFDUMASUNITED,’ the great city of Love, Unity, Hope and Dream Fulfillment.
The new vision from the USDA REDI grant is paving the way for creative and innovative talents to launch their careers ‘straight outta Dumas’ on the new campus in the making at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas.
Registration and how to get involved at: www.dat-c.org or email allofdumasunited@gmail.com
