Discerning listeners experienced a glimpse of rich gospel songs that may rule the future last week, when the children and youth choirs of the Apostolic Faith Church staged performances to mark the 2013 Children’s Day in Anthony, Lagos.
While the choirs demonstrated a measure of maturity that not many ‘professionals’ outside can.
It was of particular interest to many members of the audience that they moved from songs rendered in English to indigenous languages.
On the essence of the programme, a church elder, Rev Dayo Abe, noted that The Apostolic Faith has students among its choir, just as it has undergraduates and adults that are even at the cadre of managing directors.
“They devoted their time to serve God. They devoted their time to practice,” he said.
He, however, added that there is a requirement for whoever wants to be part of the choir: he or she must be born again.
He explained, “Apostolic faith is a teaching ministry. We have to stand not to go into sin. Your spiritual welfare is our own concern. You must see physical manifestation in our gathering; this gathering is a gospel of life.”
Director of the Youth Choir, Babatope Martins, said the Children’s Day package entailed a Career Day programme in which participants receive motivational talks and lessons that would help in building their professional life.
He added, “The apostolic ministry does not focus on the spiritual alone. We look after the academic too. That is why we have a scholarship scheme. We have over 50 students studying in different universities in the UK. Even when they have gone out, we don’t abandon them. We also have workshops there for them.”