Reported By: Art Franklin

ATLANTA (FOX 5) – Easter services were held inside an Atlanta facility that was hit hard by last week’s tornado.  New Birth Baptist Church held it’s Easter service inside the Georgia Dome which sustained extensive damage and threatened to cancel what has become annual service for thousands.

The service at the Georgia Dome is hailed as the nation’s largest Easter service.  Nearly 40,000 New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members were joined by local, state and national politicians to worship inside Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.

The service almost didn’t happen this year because of the significant damage the Georgia Dome sustained during last week’s devastating tornado.

Sunday’s service was the first event held at the facility since the tornado.  Thousands gathered to celebrate the Easter holiday and the service included a message about HIV/AIDS awareness by Atlanta rapper, T.I.

“The number one way to for sure separate yourself from the AIDS/HIV epidemic is abstinence,” the rapper told the congregation.

T.I., who has been on house arrest while he awaits a federal trial on weapons charges, received special permission to attend Sunday’s Easter service.

New Birth’s pastor said Sunday’s service came at a time when the nation has been suffering through a tough economy and a rough political landscape.  Bishop Eddie Long said the country needed a message of hope.

“It’s a reminder of the promises of God through Jesus Christ that there is hope, there is a better life, there is light at the end of the tunnel, there is power within us to overcome all things,” Long said.