Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 12, 1989, edition 1 / Page 18
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Religion B6 Hope highlights choir's concert By ROBIN BARKSDALE Community News Editor * Had the audience not already been informed about the tragedies surrounding the choir members' lives, they never would have suspected that the children had been anything but happy all of their lives. The singers in the African Children's Choir flashed smiles and swayed happily as they sang about love and faith last Sunday at First Assembly of God Church. The 24-member choir, whose members range in age from 5 to 12, is composed of Ugandan children, many of whom have lost one or both of their parents. Many of the children watched as their parents were chased and killed by tJgandan soldiers or bandits. Their tragedies are a result of Idi Amin's reign and of those who fol lowed him. The German Red Cross has estimated that, ? in 1984, nearly 150,000 children in Uganda were mal nourished and in danger of starving to death. An esti mated 500,000 people died between 1971 and 1985 in a series of wars and upheavals under dictators Am in and Milton Obote. * : But the children's music bears no hint of the devas tation they have witnessed. They sing American gospel and songs of praise such as "I've Got A River of Life," "O Sifuni Mingu," "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and "I am A Soldier/I'm in the Lord's Army." The Rev. Ray Barnett, president of Ambassadors of Aid, an interdenominational relief group, founded the children's choir and brought them to America for their first concert in September 1984. The choir mem bers are drawn from Care Centers in Uganda. The cen ters are small homes where needy, displaced children receive food, shelter and an education. Gary Oliver, executive director of the African Children's Choir, said that Barnett was so impressed with the music that he heard during a visit to Uganda that he decided to estab lish the choir to help the children. "Ray attended a church service while he was in their country and he said that he had never heard such beautiful singing before," Oliver said. "He wanted to share that with everyone else and to help these children so he founded the African Children's Choir." The children spend nine to 18 months on tour, and many of them have travelled across the United States and to several European countries. The children, as happy offstage as on, prefer to talk more about their travels and their songs than about the tragedies they have experienced in their homeland. Oliver said that they have made an adjustment in their lives and that the love they find in their music comes before the hurt that they have known. "The choir is a testament to God's power and to God's teachings," he said. "All of the children believe in Christ and they are healed of their hurts. They respond to the love and care of the staff." The choir has performed with the Vancouver Sym phony, at Disneyland and Disneyworld, at London's Festival Hall and at the Expo World's Fair in Canada. The education the young singers receive is having an Young members of the African Children's Choir swayed and belted out songs of joy last Sunday at First Assembly of God Church. The 24-member choir Is composed of children from Uganda. photos by Sonja Covinqton enormous impact on other children when choir mem bers return to Uganda after completing a tour. Their popularity and their songs have crossed racial and reli gious lines, something Oliver said is due to the fact that the children represent something that is universal. "I think that people respond to hope. And I think that these children represent hope," he said. "They rep resent the joy that God has bestowed upon them in a special way." After their 90-minute concerts, the choir boards its bus and prepares to head toward its next concert desti nation. The children are housed with members of the churches at which they perform. Ugandan chaperones travel with the children and serve as teachers during tours. The primary purpose of the choir is to raise funds for the continued development of children's homes and schools in Africa. The African Outreach Academy, a three-year school program specifically designed for the children in the choirs, also will benefit from the con certs. "These tours expand their world, their horizons," said Oliver. "They get a glimpse of cities that have peace and are stable, and it puts hope in their hearts that their city can be that way. We started the tours for what we could do for the children in Uganda not really real izing how it would impact on the children in the choir . themselves. It is a life-changing experience." During concerts, the children sway, clap and raise their hands as they spread joy through such renditions as "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Jesus is the Answer." That same enthusiasm for what they do is carried with them as they mingle with the audience following-performances. "I really like the people," said 12-year-old Mar garet Nakafeero. "It makes me feel good to be up there singing. I really like Through It All' because it talks about depending on God and I have learned to depend on God." Nakafeero, who speaks Ugandan, English, a "little Swahili" and who is learning French, said she most enjoyed her visits to California, Germany and Chicago. For 9-year-old Abasi Muyomba, the highlight of Jiis stint with the African Children's Choir came when he had the opportunity to see the circus while it was in Alabama. "I have been to Texas, North Carolina, Atlanta and Ohio but I liked Alabama best because I saw the cir cus," he said. "I like singing to the people that come to see us. I really enjoy going around with the African Children's Choir." Oliver said that the choir, which regularly performs to standing ovations, offers "music, a mission and a message of hope for a better world." They have shared their music throughout the world and individuals in some cities have asked about adopting some of the chil dren. But the Ambassadors of Aid place special empha sis on the children maintaining their own culture and customs. As part of die special effort, the children often speak in their native tongue and their exposure to west em television is limited. Barnett has said that although the children share their music with the world, they must maintain their bonds with their homeland. "These children belong to Uganda," said Barnett." "They're Uganda's national treasure, the hope of its future." rHITP^H v^xx ij JCvv^ri > ' ?kS** m ? l^Mrt a p CxVL?NI/AR ?? ? THURSDAY, APRIL 13 New Birth Church of Christ will continue itiTpring revival through April 14. Thursday's speaker will be the Rev. Tcrah Hammond and the Rev. James Clayborne will be Friday's speaker. Both services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Elder L.G. Goodwin is host pastor. ? Evangelist Shirley Ceasar will present a two-night youth crusade through April 14 at Mount Calvary Holy Church, 930 E? 14th St. Evan gelist Gwyn Curry of Buffalo, NX, will be featured Guest choirs will fw-nish the music* FRIDAY, APRIL 14 ? St Peter's World Outreach Center will hold intercessory prayer ser vice from 7:30 to midnight. Elder J.C. Hash is host pastor. For more information call 722-2285. SATURDAY, APRIL J 5 ? The Winston-Salem Day Chapter of Women's Aglow Fellowship International will hold an interdenominational meeting at 9:30 a m. at ? the Central YMC A, Elaine Berry Hill will be the featured speaker. ? Christ Rescue Tfemple Apostolic Church, 1500 N. Dunleith Ave., will Celebrate the sixth anniversary of tfid C?T" t6 Bishop Willie Davis Jr. is host pastes. SUNDAY, APRIL 16 ? The Goler Metropolitan Young Adult Choir, combined with the Emmanuel United Church of Christ Gospel Choir from Greensboro, will be in concert at 4:30 p.m. at Goler Metropolitan, located on the ?;i corner of Fourth Street and Dunleith Avenue; The Rev. Jerry A. Quick is the host pastor. ? The Deacons Board of Christ Rescue Temple Apostolic Church will hold its second annual deacons' service at 3 p.m. Elder Donald Hall and the congregation of True Deliverance Apostolic Church in Thoraasvilfe will be the special guests. Bishop W, Davis Jr. is host pastor. ? Forbush Baptist Church of Yadfcinville will celebrate its 105th church anniversary at 3 p.m. Dr. B.H. Bwiham Sr., pastor of Pitts Memorial Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker. Dinner will be served. ? The Choral Society of Second New Bethel Baptist Church will pre sent Faye Coleman & Co. in conceit at 7 p.m. at die church, 1900 New Walkertown Road. The Rev, Z.B- Pratt is the pastor, Dwight Bryant is minister of musk:. For more information call 722-0128: ? Goler Metropolitan Young Adult Choir, combined with the Emmanuel United Church of Christ Gospel Choir from Greensboro, will be concert at 4:30 p.m. at Goler Metropolitan Church. ? A pre -anniversary service will be held at Revelations of Faith Please 66* paQ&B7 CHURCH NOTES New Bethel's 42nd Men's Day to feature Darryl Robinson The 42nd Men's Day at New Bethel Baptist Church will be held Sunday, April 16, at the 11 a.m. morning worship service. The speaker for the celebration ^ will lie, ilir, Rkw. PrtiTj 1 W nnl'iin son. - ~ Robinson received his bache lor's degree from Wake Forest Uni versity with a major in religion and philosophy. He also attended the Duke Divinity School, where he received his master's of divinity and where he was a dean's scholar. He presently is pastor of Union Baptist Church in Lexington. Before accepting the pastorate in Lexington, he was an associate min ister at Galilee Baptist Church. Robinson is the recording secretary of the Rowan Baptist Association. He holds membership in the -General Baptist Convention of North Carolina and the Minister's Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity. He is a board member of the General Baptist Foundation Inc. and the Habitat for Humanity in Lexing ton. Robinson was nominated for the James Jameson Preaching Award at Duke Divinity School and named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1987. He lives in Winston-Salem with is wifer Carolyn, and their two daughters. Others appearing on the pro gram will be Arthur Kenner, call to ' worship; James Hairs ton, scripture and invocation; Johnny Grooms, announcements; David L. Odom, offertory prayer, Dr. Jerry Drayton, introduction of speaker, and Carl Bankhead, recognition of visitors. Deacon Douglas Joyner is Men's Day chairman. Drayton is the church's pastor. New Bethel Baptist Church is located at 1016 N. Trade Sl Hanes Memorial Missionary Society plans Rainbow Tea Robinson The Missionary Society of Hanes Memorial CME will hold its annual Rainbow Tea Sunday, April 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. The tea will begin in the sanc tuary with a short program consist ing of the history- cf the rainbow tea, songs, poems and readings. Recognition will be given to Ihe missionary circle for their outstand ing support of the rainbow tea. Following the program, every one will proceed to the lower audi torium for food awHeitawship. The auditorium will be decorated with all of the colors of the rainbow. The society is composed of six adult circles, a young adult depart ment, youth department and chil dren's department. The missiorn?* is "Christian Missionaries: Building Bridges for Today and Tomorrow." Beverly P. Linville is mission ary president The Rev. William S. Fails is host pastor. Afro-American Historical Society uncovers new information about the life of George W. Holland Special to the Chronicle The Rev. George W. Holland was identified as a white minister on the 1989 historical calendar of the Society for the Study of Afro American History of Winston Salem and Forsyth County. Further research from Dr. David R. Hedgely, the Z. Smith Reynolds Library Archives of Wake Forest University and the society, has revealed that Holland, a pio neering Afro-American minister, organized 23 churches in the city and 15 in Virginia. He worked closely with Dr. H.A. Brown, the pastor of the white First Baptist Church, then located on Second Street, to organize First Baptist Church on Highland Avenue. Hol land and his deacons organized Mount Zion Baptist Church, New Bethel Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church. Holland, who came to Winston Salem from Danville, Va., became the first minister of First Baptist Church, where he served for 27 years. The church became a meeting center for district and state organi zations. Professor John W. Paisley writes about Holland in his book, "First Baptist Church, Winston Salem, N.C., 1879-1945: 66th Anniversary." "It was his custom to walk or ride such a part of the distance as passing wagons gave him a life while traveling from his new home in Danville, Va.," Paisley said. "Rev. Holland was not only busy with his church duties but was very interested in the mission of the church and the improvement of the community. He, along with Miss Addie C. Morris, organized the Orphan Home in Waughtown, which later became the Memorial Industrial Home." Holland Dr. H.A. Brown, pastor of the white First Baptist Church, preached Holland's funeral in 1906. Bible scholar to Dr. James M. Efird, a noted Bible scholar and professor at Duke University Divinity School, will lead a two-day Bible conference at Ardmore United Methodist Church April 14 to 15. The subject of the lead two-day conference at Ardmore UMC conference will be "Prophetic Teachings." Efird is the author of 12 books about the Bible including two works on the subject of Bible prophecy. The conference will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. April 14 and will include dinner. The conference will resume April 15 from 9 a.m. to noorfTOhild care will be provided fof infants and children through sixth grade. Costs of the conference are $4 per person for adults and 75 cents per child for the meal. For registration or additional information call 723-3695.
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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April 12, 1989, edition 1
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