The ministry doesn’t stop in the studio or on the stage for some of our gospel artistes. When they can, a few of them go the extra mile and serve in their local places of worship. GRACE WACHIRA spoke to some

Talents are always nurtured and incubated in other spaces before they are broadcasted on a larger scale.

And even then, gospel industry players are keen to serve in the places of worship from which they grew their roots in the gospel ministry.

A classic ‘charity begins at home’ scenario features singer Manolo, a former member of the Recapp gospel group.

If you walk into International Christian Church Nairobi West (also known as ICC West) on a normal Sunday, you will experience some uplifting worship sessions by the church’s worship team where in it Manolo is a prominent member.

During worship service, he shares the stage with Highest Praise and also minister with MC Dice who is part of the pastoral team at the church.  

He explains, “I grew up in church and it’s there that I began to sing and serve.

I am also keen with the young people in the church and we facilitate a mentorship programme where we focus on life and even tackle music; something they are largely interested in,” he explained.

City Lighters Church, located at the heart of Nairobi city, boasts key gospel acts who serve in their church.

If you are visiting the church for the first time, the hospitality team that features deejays Sadic and Ruff will see to it that you are welcome.

“When in church, it’s not about what I do as a deejay. It’s about what Ruff does for the kingdom and my service, along with others, is in hospitality.

We serve our guests with refreshments and get them acquainted with our church as we find out who they are. It is very fulfilling,” he said.

Off the studio

Music producer and artiste Majic Mike and singer Moji Shortbabaa are part of the leadership team at the church.

Gospel dancehall artiste Garvey Royal and Josh Extra ensure that the junior class (Sunday school) at the City Lighters gets to know the Word of God.

“I teach a class with children between the ages of eight and 13, and in return, we also learn a lot from them. Because they are inquisitive, we as Sunday school teachers have to be on our toes and know what the Word says. I love it!” said Garvey.

Dancehall artist J-Fam fellowships at Faith Community Church in Mathare and is keen on serving the young people. 

“I do a few things in church. I help with ushering visitors and sometimes I clean the church,” he mentioned. Besides that, he goes out of his way twice a month on a door-to-door ministry.

“Where I come from, the slum is riddled with drugs and criminal activities and so, I put my best foot forward and help out by preaching (he Word of God) to the young people,” he said.

Daddy Owen’s crisp baritone voice reverberates throughout the Kenya Assemblies of God, Buruburu, during Sunday services.

You will hear him usher in the different programmes in the service because he serves in the emceeing department.

“I work with an able team and together, we moderate the services. I am also part of the strategic team that sees to it that the church has a running and working all-round year plan. Those are the roles I play in my church.”

Citam Buruburu features Zaidi Ya Yote singer Evelyn Wanjiru. Speaking to Spice, her husband Agundabweni (who is also her manager) noted that Evelyn serves in the church without any form of stipend.

“She does (serve) because it is the ministry she has a calling into. I observe her make time for practice and she is very active in our church’s Women’s Ministry,” he said.

Before falling ill, singer Size 8 served in the worship and youth ministry at the Harvesters’ Global Church, which is led by Pastor Charles Mutuku.

“That was about a year ago when I became sick and shortly after, I was expectant. For those reasons, I stayed away from serving in church and I am now a backbencher.

That said, I cannot wait to get back on my feet and continue to serve after our son gets to an age that allows me to serve,” says the Power hit singer.

The Covid-19 challenge

Lingala Ya Yesu hitmaker Pitson says his church, the Karura Community Chapel, has put in place measures to livestream the services online.

His roles at his local church is to direct the services and worship. “Measures have been put in place to shift everything online and I take great delight in serving the church in those ways,” he says.

The directive to halt gatherings due to the Covid-19 has not deterred the spirits at Parklands Baptist Church. The worship team led by Eunice Njeri now hosts online worship services.

“I serve in the worship ministry and do so with all my heart. My service and ministry transcends pay; it is my form of service to God,” says the Pokea Sifa singer, adding that when she’s not in the country, she serves at Beza International Ministry in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she frequents on missions.

“To be honest, I consider myself more of a missionary. I enjoy sharing the gospel and leading worship as well,” she affirmed.

No-pay mission

Anthony Mwangi is a rapper who is known by his stage moniker Mr T. He is also a TV host, actor and pastor at Life Church International, Limuru.

He says when an artiste receives the call to serve, their heart is not about payment or facilitation.

“It is about the heart when they offer to serve in church. If a calling is not in them, then it becomes an art,” he said.

“If I looked on the issues of pay or facilitation, I would not have joined. The government does not list the church as an employer and as such, they are not authorised to pay people unless that is their fulltime jobs. 

“As industry players, we work for rewards in heaven and not wages on earth. The gifts we have are meant to be used in the Kingdom.

Once the issues of monies set in, a person can lose focus and serve man instead of God. Facilitation and the likes come from a pastor(s) who has seen the need to help a minister and so, we do not serve and should not serve for pay,” says Mr T in conclusion.