Through energetic movement, upbeat music and colorful costumes, the 19 young members of the Daraja Children's Choir of Africa will share their culture, faith and stories with the Statesville community on Friday, Oct. 30, at Fairview Baptist Church.
The choir is part of the 401 Bridge Ministry, a nonprofit group dedicated to providing ministry in Kenya. It offers children from orphanages and other troubled circumstances an opportunity to experience a world outside Kenya, and the chance to educate the world about the struggles they face at home.
"Daraja means 'bridge' in Swahili," the choir's Web site explains, "and the children serve as a bridge to connect the people of Africa and America."
During the performance, "the children will share their personal stories and testimony about how the ministry has changed their life," said the Rev. Paul Hill, associate pastor at Fairview Baptist Church.
Hill heard the choir perform in Wilkesboro last year, and said he immediately thought, "Oh, man, it would be awesome to bring them to our church."
Members of Fairview Baptist will be hosting the 28-member contingent of adults and children in their homes, an experience Hill hopes will be a blessing for all involved.
"I'm hoping it will create a deeper appreciation of the African culture as well as an understanding of some of the challenges and struggles the children face in their country," he said.
This won't be Fairview Baptist's first connection to Kenya, however. For the past two years, the church has taken part in a partnership between the N.C. Baptist State Convention and the Kenya Baptist convention, helping them with church planning.
Muranga' Town Baptist, the church Fairview has been helping, has a goal of starting 35 churches, Hill said. Fairview has helped them establish two so far.
To help the 401 Bridge Ministry, a love offering will be taken at the concert, and a store will be set up with items from Africa for concertgoers to purchase.
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