The Night of Gospel that lifted Reggio Emilia

A spirit-filled church choirs and guest artistes poured out their hearts into songs to entertain a packed audience at a Gospel Night Concert in the Italian city Reggio Emilia.

The event hosted at Theatre of Reggio by the Ghana Nationals Association in the city in collaboration with the Trade Union, CGIL, attracted many Ghanaian youths. Never have I seen so many youths, within the Ghanaians community in Italy, turn up in a single event as in this one.

Celebrated gospel artistes, Robert Psalmpong, (from Vicenza), Annie Marie coming from Torino and Gladys Donkor thrilled the audience to the hilt. Among the uncoming artistes who filled the packed house with their soul warming songs was Richmond Pra from the Good News Church. The young man’s voice and songs were fantastic and really exhillarated the audience. Pastor Noble Ofori-Asante of Assemblies of God Church in Reggio Emilia, sitting in the front row with a host of invited Pastors, could not hide his feelings. He said:“The Church is playing a good role in the life of the youths. If you see what is happening here then you know what God is doing for our youths. It’s a great feeling to be here.” Apostolic Foundation Church Choir were the first to step on stage and they received a large applause for their performance. Then came, Apostolic Faith International Church, Good News Church, the Catholic Church, Living Faith Christian Centre, Assemblies of God Church and the S.D.A, all making their presence felt with soul inspiring songs. In between their turns were Robert Psalmpong, Annie Marie and Gladys Donkor and their songs drew some of the audience to the floor, dancing and waving white handkerchiefs in praise of God. The instrumentalists, coming from different churches played like a group that has been together for a long time. Among them was a 10-year-old whiz-kid drummer, Obed Asiedu. With his diminutive size and behind a 12-piece drums instrument, he was hardly noticed but what he didn’t have in size he made up for the difference with his skills on the drums. His performance got Robert Psalmpong back on the stage quickly composing a song to honour him. He said after that song: “The young boy’s performance on the drums rekindled my spirit to compose a song for him, a song asking God to build a wall of fire around him, to protect him from jealous entities that might want in so many ways try to destroy and take away such gift or even dampen it. Blessings for his parents for allowing their son to be a blessing to many people.” The young lad looked very shy when I approached him after his show and could only mumble some few words. “I like it when I am behind the drums,” he said. Certainly, his local church is delighted with that performance and he looks a good prospect for the work of God.

A great night of entertainment, well handled by Francisca Naana Furguson and her co-MC, Benjamin Enyan.

The President of the Ghana Nationals Association in Reggio Emilia, Pastor Hastings Osei Anokye, was full of praise for the singers and the participants. He mentioned: “The aim or the Big picture of the Association at Reggio Emilia, is to bring all the churches in the province together to sing and have communion with one another. This came into our mind in a way to make Christians put aside doctrinal differences and sing about the Gospel - good news of Jesus dying for us. This vision is not only for the people of Ghana but for all mankind. The Big picture was very clear. I think we accomplished the purpose of gathering people around to sing about God. The attendance was very inspiring,” he added.

- Reggie Tagoe in Reggio Emilia, Italy.