Voices raised in praise

   They sang together for the first time in 1995 in Altamonte Springs, Florida at a church youth festival. They thought it was a one-time event, but the response was so positive that they knew they had to stay together.

    So Dominique Mathurin, Kelli Taylor, Sharon Duncan, Alicia Jones and Karmen Taylor formed the gospel singing group Full Assurance. They range in age from 23 to 27, and they all learned to sing in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

    Now they sing at venues ranging from churches to the House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch. Next Sunday afternoon, they will be one of the featured acts at the Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville.

    But their growing success hasn't changed their focus.

    ``It's never been a thing to show off. It's been to give the Lord my best,'' Duncan said.

    Kelli Taylor added that no matter where are, they sing ``as if we were in church.''

    Last week they sang for the benefit of a photo session in a small, empty chapel at Florida Hospital where three members of the group have day jobs. They sang without accompaniment, but their voices easily filled the room.

    Their music must have been heard in the hallways. After a couple of songs, a ``Hallelujah'' or two could be heard in the room. The pews were filling up.

    When the gospel group was finished, a woman came up to talk with Duncan. A moment later, a small group was at the front of the chapel. The singers had been joined by a family from St. Cloud. White hands joined with black hands as they formed a prayer circle. A child was critically ill.

    Prayers were offered for many needs. Between prayers for healing and prayers of praise, one of the women from St. Cloud offered a simple prayer for Full Assurance.

    She prayed to the Lord that ``when the people of the congregation hear them, they will hear Your voice.''

A version of this story appeared in the Orlando Sentinel in January, 1998