St. Mark AME Church-Rocky Mount Hosts the African Children’s Choir
By Robin Boddie-Haggin, Ruth Smith, Church, and Mae Ellerbe
Saint Mark AME Church kicked off Black History Month in grand fashion with the historic, Grammy-nominated African Children’s Choir® on January 31, 2020. The final stop of the 50th Anniversary Tour of the “Just As I Am” Concert in the United States was hosted by Pastor Robert J. Yarbrough and the congregation of St. Mark AME Church, in collaboration with AME Churches of the Northern Eastern Carolina Cluster.
Representing Nash, Edgecombe, and Wilson counties, other participating cluster churches and pastors included Bethel AME Church-Spring Hope (the Rev. Christopher Haywood), Galatia AME Church-Nashville (the Rev. Christopher Edwards), Manns Chapel AME Church-Whitakers (the Rev. Doris Lindsay), Mount Carmel AME Church-Bailey (the Rev. Annette Joyner-Moore), St. Luke AME Church-Wilson, (the Rev. Johnny McPhail), and Shocco AME Church-Spring Hope (the Rev. Serena Reddick-Lofton). The Northern Eastern Carolina AME Cluster of churches reside in the Northern District of the North Carolina Annual Conference where the Rev. Artie Odom, Jr. serves as the presiding elder and is led by servant leaders, Bishop James L. Davis and Arelis Beevers-Davis of the Second Episcopal District.
The African Children’s Choir® program promotes the beauty, dignity, and unlimited ability of the African child around the world, being a voice for the millions of suffering children who cannot speak for themselves. The program provides for the children’s well-being and quality education, utilizing the transformative power of music. They promote Christian principles through teaching and leading by example and bring relief and development to African nations in crisis.
In 1984, amid Uganda’s bloody civil war, human rights activist Ray Barnett was called upon to help the many thousands of orphaned and starving children, abandoned and helpless to feed and protect themselves. Realizing the enormity of the task, Mr. Barnett and his team revealed a unique approach. “Inspired by the singing of one small boy, we formed the first African Children’s Choir to show the world that Africa’s most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability,” he said. The only way to make a meaningful difference was to impact the lives of these children, one child at a time.
Pastor Yarbrough remarked that the tour was originally scheduled as the choir’s first stop in the United States in May 2019. Due to delays in obtaining visas, the concert was rescheduled for eight months later. It was a true indication that a delay does not mean a denial. “So the first shall be last and last shall be first,” is what Matthew 20:16 says. God saved the best for last!
The Little Messengers Youth Choir of St. Mark, directed by Christine Robinson-King, cherished the opportunity to sing with the highly energetic African Children’s Choir with their rendition of the classic hymn, “This Little Light of Mine.” The grand finale welcomed over 100 youth attendees to join in singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Despite inclement weather, the event was attended by over 300 persons from the greater Rocky Mount community and beyond.
Combined efforts from product sales and a public offering yielded $3,000 to present and support the Music for Life Outreach Program. Music for Life in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa work to improve the lives, education, and futures of thousands of suffering children living in unthinkable environments. The African Children’s Choir and Music for Life have educated over 50,000 children since 1984 and assisted another 100,000 children through their relief and education projects.
Pastor Yarbrough extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who partnered in any capacity to sponsor this successful inaugural event at St. Mark. Special thanks to the Northern Eastern Carolina AME Cluster and other area churches: Curmilus Dancy (videographer), Don Johnson (photographer), Country Inn & Suites-Melissa Clark (housing), Dr. Moises Watson, Mrs. Pam Watson, and the Rev. Cathy Kearney of Oak Chapel AME Church-Warrenton (public offering blessing). Special thanks to the various ministries and leaders of St. Mark for their untiring support: Pastor’s Aid-Rametta Battle (African Choir reception and dinner), Daughters of Lydia- Ann Hart (promotional materials/products table); Board of Trustees-Kevin Harris with special thanks to Milton Battle and Lonnie Artis (facility preparation and oversight), George R. Cooper of St. Mark Patriarch (intensive opening prayer), St. Mark Church family affectionately known as the #markonthemount, and to all attendees and online contributors for your kind generosity and prayers. You may view this reMarkable concert in its entirety on YouTube at https://youtu.be/INWhG4vilWY.
