Schwab Auditorium became "Schwab church" on Saturday night as the United Soul Ensemble and four other gospel choirs praised the Lord through song, body and spirit in Gospel Explosion '91.

Each choir performed five songs. The audience, which filled the building, was enthusiastic and helped carry the event for more than 4½ hours.

"We want to be used in any capacity that the Lord wants us to be used in," said Richard Pitt, director of United Soul Ensemble.

Pitt used that phrase to introduce "Use me Lord as an Instrument of Praise." The performance was so emotional that soloist Dawne Davis cried and audience members remained silent.

The master of ceremonies, Rev. Derek L. Glover from The New Jerusalem Church of God and Christ in Philadelphia, told audience members they were not there to hear a concert or be entertained, but instead to seek salvation and to praise the Lord. He encouraged audience members to rid themselves of inhibitions and let the spirit move them -- whether by clappping their hands, stomping their feet or speaking in tongues.

A step show performed by members of the United Soul Ensemble highlighted the evening. Amy Dean choreographed and led the steppers to execute one dazzling combination after another.

Although step shows are often a trademark of black Greek organizations, members of the ensemble believed they were justified in using the step show to praise the Lord, said Tina Slaughter (freshmen-architecture).

As the evening went on, the messages of praise, prayer and righteous existence grew stronger, as did the expressiveness of the audience.

One woman was moved to dance up and down the aisle and several ensemble members surrounded her to protect her from hurting herself.

Dobbins Mass Choir from Dobbins High School in Philadelphia delivered a dynamic set to close the evening. The choir director and members moved their bodies in sync with the refrains of the song, "He's Sweet I Know."

Other performers included the Lincoln University Gospel Choir, the Voices of Joy Gospel Choir from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Drexel University Gospel Choir.