DESTIN — A grin lighted Lionel C.’s face as he danced and sang “I can only Imagine.”
Some of the two-dozen or so people in the audience swayed to the music as Lionel made his way to a group sitting at table.
He offered his hand to a man.
“Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?” Lionel sang.
It wasn’t a church but the Hard Rock Café where the inaugural Feed Your Soul Brunch was held Saturday afternoon.
PHOTOS: View a photo gallery from the event >>
VIDEO: View a video of the gospel music >>
The brainchild of the Rev. Jonathan Sansom of Gulf Coast City Church, the brunch will be held on the third Saturday of each month through February.
As praise music reverberated through the Hard Rock, diners filled their plates with brunch fixings of eggs, bacon, salad, potatoes and more.
Joan Sewell of Fort Walton Beach said that although she was surprised to hear that gospel would be featured at the Hard Rock, she knew she wanted to come with friends.
“I just love gospel music,” Sewell said.
Maggie Nash of Destin came with her daughter and two young grandsons.
“On a rainy day, what better place is there to be?” Nash said with a laugh.
She said they’d definitely be back.
“It’s definitely a family thing to do,” added Mary Lee Lambert, Nash’s daughter.