At first, Bobbi Jean Baker, a big-voiced, loud-clapping, ex-convict Tennesseean with deep roots in the Baptist Church, was skeptical of the new gospel choir at San Francisco's City of Refuge ...

Rance Allen, known as the 'Father of Contemporary Gospel Music," died Saturday, The Church of God in Christ announced in a statement. He was 71.

He headed St. James Church of God in Christ, was a familiar voice on weekend gospel radio shows and presided at the funeral for 11-year-old Robert ‘Yummy’ Sandifer.