Every great thing starts with a thought. A thought implanted by God. Or it could be one inspired by the good deeds of another man who was originally inspired by God. In 2006, Fountain of Praise commenced a series of concerts under the brand name WorshipforChange.
    I’ve gotten to a point in my life now where people dancing and lifting up their hands when I sing does not offer me the most fulfillment. I’d been inspired early in life by the contributions of people like Martin Luther King jr and Mother Theresa to humanity. And often, Bankole Sadipe, Theophilus Emmanuel and I had really felt in consonance with God’s word, our faith must be matched by works. True worship is not in what we say. Worship as exemplified by Abraham in Genesis 22 involved giving up the dearest things to us.
    Last year we raised over N1.2 million for 2 charities namely Downs Syndrome Association of Nigeria and the Hearts of Gold Hospice. This year we felt inspired by God to do things a bit differently. Previously we sold tickets. We realized we could use the same effort to raise sponsorship for the concert and then specially invite people to attend the benefit concert. Bankole remarked he was anxious to find out how this whole thing would turn out. I was curious myself.
    There were challenges along the way. The most remarkable one was about 11 days to the event. The hall we had earmarked for the event was given out to someone else. The printer had just delivered the cards and we were about to start distributing. But then God made a way. Lagoon restaurant was available. More expensive but certainly a much better venue than that we had earlier booked.
    With hundred of litres of fuel burnt, hundreds of kilometers traveled, tens of thousands of naira spent of recharge cards and many prayers said before and after numerous planning sessions, we got needed sponsorship from corporate bodies such as C&I Leasing Plc, Nadina Industries, Laterna Ventures, Protea Hotels [Victoria Island], Kraft, Aholiab Works and Frontier Reel Mix. Others are Gallery Magazine, E&M Business Solution, Modamo Photography, Jubilee Christian Centre [RCCG] and Classicus Rentals. And then we had all the different artists who performed free of charge – Bob Fitts, David Baroni, Gbenga Adenuga, Prophecy and the Landlords. Tosin Martins didn’t make it as he was stuck at another event. The MC for the night, King Smith rocked! Every one was left reeling with laughter. It was a night of a thousand and one laughs. And there was not one lewd joke told.
    I got to the venue early on Sunday 30th. My state of mind was like that of King Darius in the book of Daniel. Would God save today? Would people come? Would they be willing to give to help the work being done at the Arrows of God orphanage?
    Did people come? You bet! About a thousand! Did they have a nice time? Look at the photographs! Did they give? Yes they did! Total monies pledged was….. N3.2 million, of which N820,000 was redeemed that night!
    Our goal is N5m. We intend to use these funds to buy a 50kva generator and a 15 seater bus for the Arrows of God orphanage, Ajah. The concert is over, but the bank isn’t closed. We are hopeful that by the 1st week in November, the orphanage will take delivery of the bus which they need so urgently.
    You can’t fix every problem. But there are some you can fix. Here’s an opportunity. Send an email to info@fopmusic.com if you will like to make a donation.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY THEOPHILUS EMMANUEL [MODAMO.COM]