With the undisputed reputation of being the most religious people on earth, it is a common sight to find Nigerians daily attending religious activities in a manner that beats the imagination of many.
This unparalleled religiosity has been attributed to the timeless hunger for spiritual renewal among the populace. It is therefore in response to this and many other religious pursuits that the House on The Rock Church decided to convene a gospel talk-shop in Nigeria’s melting pot, Lagos.
Titled: Spirit Life Conference, the event scheduled to commence next week, according to the church, is being put together to impact, empower and spiritually refresh Nigerians.
The church told Vanguard that the conference’s theme: The Next Level, was inspired by the scripture, Isaiah 43:18-19, which says: “Do not remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth.”
An aspect of the forum, which the church described as remarkable, is the fact that the conference would also prepare Nigerians for this year’s edition of the church’s annual gospel concert, The Experience 2015.
Indeed, the gospel concert has become an annual unifying factor among Nigerians, who often look forward to the enriching experience that comes from it.
Speaking in that light, the founder of the church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, said: “The Experience is multi-layered; it is also a big unifier for the church because, though denominational dogma and doctrine will often divide the church, we all worship to the same music. So, instead of dividing us, worship tends to bring us together because it is not involved with arguments about doctrines. And that has allowed us to bring together the various denominations to have significant discussions.
“It has helped lift the profile of Nigerian gospel music and this is important to us because we see the same thing happening in the secular music industry. Nigerian music has come of age and become a very powerful part of the international society and entertainment. Likewise, Nigerian gospel music is taking her place with her international counterparts, and The Experience is an important part of that global process.”
However, the church’s love of good music was not left out of the conference this time, as there would be soul-lifting praise and worship experiences daily with various anointed gospel artistes including award winning artistes, Micah Stampley, Sonnie Badu, Nathaniel Bassey and the Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir (LMGC).
Alongside the host, Adefarasin is a line up of ministers from all over the world such as Dr. Mike Murdock of The Wisdom Centre, USA, Bishop David Oyedepo of The Living Faith Church, Nigeria, Bishop John Francis of Ruach Ministries, London.
Others are Dr. Cindy Trim; former Senator, Best-selling Author and High Impact Teacher, USA and Zimbabwe’s finest, Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula New Life Ministries, Zimbabwe among others.
