Presented by Divinity Clergy Wear

The Divinity Dispatch

People. Places. Praise. Style. Your monthly connection to Black church culture, gospel news, clergy style, and community happenings.

Church Family, Summer Is Calling

Church family, the calendar is filling up. Pastor anniversaries, choir days, graduations, women’s days, conventions, youth trips, revivals, and family reunions are all around the corner.

This month’s Divinity Dispatch brings you the people, places, and happenings shaping the African American church community, from gospel entertainment to sacred spaces, leadership moments, convention dates, and a few style reminders for the saints on the move.

25 Years, One Sanctuary, A Lot of Love

Gospel favorites Erica and Warryn Campbell gave the church community a beautiful love story this month. The couple renewed their vows at California Worship Center in San Fernando on May 16, celebrating 25 years of marriage with about 600 guests and Bishop Kenneth Ulmer officiating.

Stellar Season Is Open

The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards are heading to Charlotte, North Carolina. For choirs, ministers of music, media ministries, gospel artists, and church families, Stellar weekend is more than an awards show. It is a reunion, a networking room, a fashion runway, and a celebration of the sound that raised us.

Gospel at the BET Awards

Gospel is represented strongly in the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award category, with nominees including music from Kirk Franklin, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Lecrae, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend, and more.

Preserving the Houses That Raised Us

Good news for historic Black churches: preservation support continues to bring attention and resources to sacred spaces that shaped families, choirs, civil rights work, and generations of worship.

Save the Dates: Summer Church Calendar

• July 6 to July 10, Baltimore, Maryland: COGIC AIM Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center.
• July 19 to July 25, Indianapolis, Indiana: PAW Summer Convention, with the 2026 sub-theme “Stedfast and Unmoveable.”
• July 22 to July 26, Richmond, Virginia: COOLJC 107th International Holy Convocation.
• August 12 to August 15, Charlotte, North Carolina: 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards week.
• September 7 to September 11, Orlando, Florida: National Baptist Convention Annual Session. Churches should check NBCUSA channels for final details.

Sanctuary Style: Convention Season Fit Check

Convention season has its own rhythm. Morning teaching. Afternoon fellowship. Evening service. Late-night food. Photos in the lobby. Somebody always forgot a collar, and somebody else packed three robes but no dress shirt.

The Pew Poll

What is your favorite convention moment?

A. Opening night worship
B. Seeing church family from across the country
C. Choirs and music ministry
D. Marketplace shopping
E. The late-night restaurant run after service

Reply with your answer. We may share the results in next month’s Dispatch.

Church Shout-Outs Wanted

Know a pastor celebrating an anniversary? A choir releasing new music? A youth ministry winning awards? A missionary team heading out? A congregation restoring a historic sanctuary?

Send us your good news. Include the church name, city, pastor or ministry leader, event date, a short description, and a photo if available.

Closing Blessing

Until next month, stay prayerful, stay joyful, and stay ready. The work is sacred, the people are worth celebrating, and the wardrobe should honor the calling.