Churches Unite to Spread Gospel at Santa Ana Street Fest : Religion: About 400 people gather to hear R&B-flavored; music, sermons. The event is designed to create unity among the denominations.

Preachers and choirs shared their dream of religious faith and unity Saturday as 400 blacks, whites and Latinos converged at the Southwest Community Center to hear sermons and music.

“It’s just amazing to see what the Lord has done,” sang the Friendship Baptist Church Mass Choir, backed by a drum set and keyboards.

Choir Director Brent Jones, 26, worked R&B; and hip-hop rhythms into the hymns, saying “we want to make Christian music a fun experience.”

Between songs, ministers from Baptist, Lutheran and Catholic churches spoke at the daylong Street Fest, which was designed to reach out to the community and build unity among churches. Sermons were translated into Spanish.

“God has the power to save you today,” shouted the Rev. James D. Carrington, pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church.

“ Dios tiene el poder para salvarle hoy dia ,” shouted his translator, Mark Wiskniewski.

When Carrington began his sermon, he paused after each phrase for Wiskniewski to translate. As he gathered momentum he stopped pausing, and the two men spoke almost simultaneously, showering bilingual biblical promises onto the crowd.

“God gives inward strength,” said Carrington, standing under the hot sun in a black T-shirt and hat.

At the end of Carrington’s sermon, Annette Williams, who said she is homeless, walked up to the stage and asked to be saved.

“I want my life changed,” she said.

The Rev. Berlon Pervis gave her a paperback King James Bible, and directed her to the nearby Starlight Baptist Church.

“The homeless can always use spiritual help. Any kind of help,” noted Stan McDaniel, who volunteers every day at the Southwest Community Center to help serve breakfast and lunch for up to 300 people.

Many people at the festival said they most enjoyed the music.

“They’re putting on a good show,” said Dudley Culpepper, 48, who used to watch gospel choirs on television as a child in Mississippi.

“This (has) a Western swing to it. It’s got a better tone,” Culpepper said, tapping a foot.

Sergio Morales came to the festival with his wife and two children after noticing the festival from his home a block away.

“I haven’t really joined any church, but I believe in God,” he said in Spanish.

When he lived in Mexico City, he used to gather with neighborhood friends and talk about the Bible, Morales said. “I feel that when I have a problem, I can confide in God.”