TB JOSHUA SENT OFF IN STYLE
The disciples of the late Prophet bid him farewell in praise, song and dance
On Sunday, they danced as if it was their last day on earth. Even those normally shy to dance before big crowds or simply have two left feet, found themselves setting their feet loose without minding their poor coordination.
After all, this was not an ordinary event, besides music has no boundaries, it was not only the irresistible amplified gospel music that forced one to be up on their feet, but it was time to dance for the Creator in a thanks giving ceremony, in memory of the departed founder of SCOAN, Nigerian televangelist and faith healer, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua.
The artists themselves were world reputable musicians, gospel singers, song writers and composer, and comedians from almost all continents. They ascended the SCOAN hall stage, outclassing themselves, not only in doing what they know best, but honouring their own, whom they held in high regard. The choice of the Master of Ceremony was also well informed as they selected someone who made all guests feel at home. It was a Christian who understands the scriptures and at the same time proved his innovative comedian skills and that could not have been any better candidate than Brown. TB Joshua, himself a songwriter and composer administered through both word and music. This is evidenced by the state of the art church hall, which is sound proof, the expensive music equipment as well as the professional members of the SCOAN choir or band who can match any professional band in the world. Joshua liked to see people or his followers having fun through prayer, singing and dancing.
Joshua often enables his followers to have fun in an organised manner, allowing his disciples to arrange entertainment events which were common on Mondays or Christmas day, or on New Year dinner done on the 2nd of January. I witnessed three of those events where entertainment was arranged for pilgrims in marquee adjacent to the main church hall. The other two were entertainment in the form of competition.
On Christmas day, a special lunch was cooked for all the guests, we then watched SCOAN choir, together with other international choirs singing Christmas carols in Jerusalem.
Subsequently, there was a dancing competition, where all guests were to dance in their respective groups. The groups are not necessarily composed of the people that come from the same country. Seating is free at dining halls and on first come first basis; one could either sit next to the dishing point or far. However, I must say on that Christmas day , I was fortunate to be on the same group with my homeboy, Karabo Seelo, a great dancer, who used to be known as Lehenza, during his Mokaragana days on Btv. We danced our way into the final and I would occasionally push a chair towards Seelo, to perform the ‘ Tlhomela dance’. The competition was won by a Japanese lady who raised the bar with her mixture of both traditional and modern dancing. The same happened on the New Year’s dinner, but this time it was everyman for him. I went as far as the quarter finals and the competition was won by a Zambian brother. All in all, it was fun in the house of the Lord.
It is without doubt that the SCOAN disciples saw the need to celebrate the life and legacy of Prophet Joshua through song praise and dance in the spirit. It also explains why international artists came to perform and did not disappoint.
First groups to climb the stage were American gospel singers and composers with medley songs. Brian Wilson, who mesmerised the quests with songs from his different albums, amongst them, ‘ we cannot give up’, ‘ I believe, this is the air I breathe’, and ‘ I will bless the Lord’. He was followed by Shirley Murdock, doing songs like ‘ Give glory’, ‘ Falling in love with Jesus’, ‘ How I Love Jesus’, ‘ Praise him’, and ‘ I love you Jesus’. Then followed Fred Hammond, performing virtually from the USA. He apologised for not making the trip, and told his audience what Joshua meant to him before dishing out songs like ‘ bread of life’ and ‘ You can do all things’. The energetic, Salt of Earth played their medley, starting with ‘ You are God’. Ghanaian Reggae artist, Shasha brought yet another dimension with his track ‘ I am not ashamed’, and another group which played its heart out was Omo Oluwa Gospel Band, who mostly sing in vernacular and the hosts, SCOAN choir completed the day’s schedule with songs such as ‘ Good morning, it’s a new dawn’, ‘ I will sing a new song’, and ‘ Glory to God’. If it was a competition, the judges would have found it difficult to come up with a winner. The event was also marked by the launch of a book, titled ‘ TB Joshua: Servant of God’, co- authored by Joshua himself and his wide Evangelist Evelyn. The launch was officiated by Prophet Racine.