A benefit concert held at the Crystal Cathedral earlier this year benefited seven Adventist academies and schools in Southern and Southeastern California conferences, raising $100,000. "A Place Beyond," a musical extravaganza featuring internationally acclaimed Christian recording artist Ullanda Innocent-Palmer, brought rave reviews from all who attended the scholarship benefit concert.

The songs were crafted under the direction of musical arranger/conductor Raul Ferrando, with the Cathedral’s "Hour of Power" orchestra. Voice of Prophecy Speaker/Director Lonnie Melashenko and his wife, Jeannie, served as masters of ceremonies. Roger Hadley, M.D., academic dean, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Pastor Lorenzo Paytee offered the opening prayers for the concert, which was held in the late afternoon and repeated in the evening.

Innocent-Palmer performed her latest works surrounded by a striking arrangement of red roses and accompanied by a 200-voice choir and praise team directed by Fred Settle. Highlights included, "We Are a Family," showcasing 3-year-old Tamay Robinson, Imaan Fitzgerald, Frederick Settle II, a 50-voice children’s choir conducted by Ricardo Ferrando, and "International Praise," with singers in national costumes from Africa, Latin America, the Philippines and the Caribbean.

Innocent-Palmer also performed "Extraordinary God" with recording artist Dr. Yvonne Lewis, as well as the title song of her new album, "A Place Beyond," with soloist Donnie Shelton.

The evening event was made all the more memorable when Ron Porterfield, the assistant stage manager for the event, took the stage during the grand finale, "The Miracle of Love." He received a standing ovation as he went down on one knee with a surprise marriage proposal to praise team singer Kimberly Holmes. A grand gala reception at the cathedral’s art gallery with delicious vegan cuisine crowned this landmark scholarship benefit concert.

Marco Leon, principal of the White Memorial Adventist School, and his colleagues were featured in a poignant video entitled, "The Future Begins With a Dream—Catch It!" The idea for the benefit began when "One Sabbath... a couple of our students from last year came up to me and... the kids started to cry," said Leon. "I said, ‘What is wrong? Why are you crying?’ They said, ‘We can’t afford to come back to church school.’" Dr. Augusto Britton recalled that 30 years ago, every child wanting to go to an Adventist academy had financial assistance available; no child was left behind.

Recognizing this need, Heart and Soul International, a non-profit California-based ministry founded by Schubert Palmer, M.D., and Ullanda Innocent-Palmer, produced the inspirational program. Mavis Cordero and Raul Ferrando co-produced. Through student ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and donations, $100,000 was raised for a needs-based scholarship to benefit students with an interest in the health sciences at White Memorial Adventist School, Valley Fellowship Resource Center, and Loma Linda, Los Angeles, Orangewood, San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Adventist academies.

Sponsors included White Memorial Medical Center, East Los Angeles Doctors’ Hospital, Monterey Park Hospital Medical Staff and Loma Linda University School of Medicine. The youth ministries and education departments of Southern and Southeastern California conferences co-sponsored the production.

"A Place Beyond" is available on DVD, video and CD at local Adventist Book Centers or by calling 800-667-9896 or writing Heart and Soul International, P.O. Box A, Monrovia, CA 91016. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Christian education. Tax-deductible contributions toward academy scholarships are also accepted. A repeat performance of this production is planned for 2005.