Louisiana All State Worship will be the featured Gospel Night performer on Friday, Apr. 10, taking the stage from 7:30-8:30 p.m. during the 2026 Railroad Days Festival.
In 1989, a group of Apostolic musicians and youth ministers dreamed up the idea of a state-wide choir that would give Louisiana students an opportunity to come together and sing for the glory of God. Rev. Dan Davis and his wife, Sandi, from Jena, were designated the leaders and set about getting approval from the Louisiana District United Pentecostal Church District Board. Pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy, T. D. Cardwell, was a member of that District Board that approved the formation of the first Louisiana All State Youth Choir, comprised of thirty-five young people that auditioned from several parts of the state.
Over the course of the next 37 years, the Louisiana All State Youth Choir became a growing and expanding ministry, with some years resulting in a 200 plus member choir. The group has been hosted at special services across churches in Louisiana, taken several out-of-state tours from California to New York, and traveled overseas five times to various countries in Europe.
There have been several studio and live recordings done by various year’s choirs, highlighting the amazing talent that is found right here among the amazing youth in the beautiful state of Louisiana. More than a few of DeQuincy’s own young people have been members of the choir throughout the years, including Jacob Lowery and Jeff Hennigan.
DeQuincy native, Faith Whitman Cooley, and her husband, Klayton were recently appointed the Directors of the current choir known as Louisiana All State Worship. This year they lead over 150 students, several from local churches right here in DeQuincy, with a passion and heart for worship that will inspire the next generation.
