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EAGA Report:
The Choir at Beaumont
Leys December 2010
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The sound of the Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel
Academy (EAGA) Choir returned to Beaumont
Leys on December 18 and 19, 2010. The EAGA
adults’ and children’s choirs ministered
to hundreds of people on these days as they
(the people) shopped in the Shopping Centre.
With no music to accompany them, the choir
gave a variety of harmonies that illuminated
the atmosphere and prepared the hearts of
listeners for the season being celebrated,
Christmas, but preaching the message of
Jesus Christ through song.
Before the sound could be heard, a worker
from Tesco asked: ‘Aren’t you singing today?
I have been waiting to hear you.’
On both days, the choir began to minister
after 11 am and members of the public halted
in their tracks as the sound from the voices
of the few blared in the airwaves. The choir
ministered the songs which included the
all time favourite ‘Silent Night’ (EAGA
version), as well as ‘Oh Come oh ye faithful’,
‘Hark the Herald Angel sing’, ‘Joy to the
World’, ‘Go tell it on the mountain’ among
many others. As they ministered they fundraised
on behalf of the Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Church
Building Fund.
Gradually, more members of the choir came
and there came forth the fuller sound of
resounding harmonies. The choir also ministered
‘Oh Happy Day’ and old time favourites ‘By
the rivers of Babylon’ and ‘I’m gonna lay
down my burden’. As the numbers in the crowds
grew, they did not refrain from giving their
offering and so they gave to the cause as
their hearts led. Some people asked where
was the CD? They wondered if there was one
to be purchased as they were blessed with
the sound that they heard.
The Children’s Choir took over the ministration
as the adults went on their break. They
ministered, ‘Oh Happy Day’, ‘Joy to the
World, ‘God’s love is like a Circle’ and
‘Life without Jesus’ among others. Onlookers
watched as they ministered and were fascinated
by so many young children ministering.
Members of the crowd applauded after each
song was completed and gave their comments
that they had never heard anything like
it before. Some were thrilled by the fact
that there were people who were still preaching
Jesus in the festive season and not gone
to commercialism as the rest of the world.
On the second day ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’
was sung with a difference as the speed
was put to add flavour. Could the choir
members really remember the words of the
song as they came so quickly? The sounds
of Africa also came to the airwaves with
songs such as ‘Masifika’, ‘Mwari
vanotsvaga’ and ‘Eriya Waenda,
nechamupupouri’ and ‘Avule ngele’.
As the time came to a close, the choir shouted
‘thank you Beaumont Leys for listening and
‘We love Beaumont Leys’ and under the direction
of Bishop Mark Anderson sang ‘We love you
Beaumont Leys and God Bless you.’
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