After performing a string of his wildly popular hits at the State Fair of Texas, gospel artist and pastor Tye Tribbett broke away from his hour long set at the State Fair of Texas to minister to the people of Dallas. The short missive he shared was in response to the murder of Botham Shem Jean, the ensuing trial and conviction of Amber Guyger, the act of forgiveness by Brandt Jean and the murder of state witness Joshua Brown. By seeing the abomination of injustice through the lens of the kingdom, Tribbett admonished the crowd to respond to these highly emotional moments using the protocol of the Kingdom instead of conventional practice which has torn at the seams of unity amongst believers as of late.
Tribbett, Sunday Best winner Melvin Crispell III, and many other gospel artists took to the Chevrolet Main Stage for the State Fair of Texas Day of Gospel and Inspiration, celebrating its fifth year. The threat of severe weather shortened the second half of the evening which made Tribbett the lone performer of the latter half, later joined by the Unity Choir toward the close of the set.
Tribbett acknowledged that his stance would be unpopular with many, even some of the believers in attendance. He began by addressing the thousands assembled at the Chevrolet Main Stage for the Day of Gospel and Inspiration as a black man. He interrupted the applause and continued by saying that though he is a black man, that’s not his posture…echoing the message and sentiment of Priscilla Shirer that rankled black believers this time last year.
The multi-faceted message from Pastor Tribbett affirmed that injustice is in fact an abomination to God (Proverbs 29:27), but the response is not posting…it’s prayer, as defined in 2 Chronicles 7:14. To that end, he says that believers should stop posting, humble themselves and pray. The wound is fresh and you could argue that the timing for the message is either perfect or insensitively inappropriate. But seeing how Tribbett’s schedule keeps him busy leading Live Church Orlando and hosting regularly on TBN, the timing was more than appropos for many still struggling with the sentencing phase and actions of Brandt Jean and even Judge Tammy Kemp who broke courtroom protocol to embrace the Jean family and Amber Guyger.
Following the more than eight minute impromptu homily, Tribbett brought the Day of Gospel and Inspiration to a thunderous close, followed only by light rain. For a city, region and even a country entrapped in the throes of civil, social and political tumult, one can only pray for rain that will wash away the stain of racism and hate that continues to keep our eyes away from the cross.
Watch Tye Tribbett’s message, below.