OXFORD TWP. ? Christ the King (CTK) Church, located at 1550 W. Drahner Rd., is inviting the public to attend a free concert performed by the South Africa-based Key of Hope Choir on Sunday, Nov. 29.
It starts at 6:30 p.m.
‘This is our second tour,? explained Key of Hope’s U.S. Operations Coordinator Julie Tanner. ‘We had a Key of Hope Choir that came in 2013.?
According to a press release, the Key of Hope Children’s Choir is comprised of children whose lives have been reclaimed from the tragedy of AIDS, poverty and neglect.
Key of Hope is a non-profit that provides food and educational programs for the children of Durban, South Africa
Tanner said they provide mentoring relationships with the kids in which they visit them in their homes every week to make sure they have money for their school fees, uniforms and meet with the children’s parents or guardians every week to see how the children are doing in school and if they have food in the house.
‘Every Saturday there is a ‘Kid’s Club? where we taxi them into our location, where they come and do games and music and hear the gospel and about Jesus,? she added. ‘The idea is we want to build these long-term mentoring relationships with them, so they can grow up and become leaders in their community and hopefully, rise out of their current poverty.?
The second choir tour is entitled ‘Not Afraid.?
‘Just the way they live there with the violence and poverty, there is a lot to be afraid of,? Tanner said. ‘They are trying to rise out of their circumstances and better their lives and with Jesus in their lives, they can be not afraid of all these seemingly bad things that surround them because they just know there is a better future for them in eternity.?
While the concert is free, Tanner said they do sell handmade beaded jewelry, t-shirts and CDs to help raise funds for their efforts.
The concert will include the singing of some Christmas songs as well as some traditional Zulu songs with Zulu music and Djembe drums.
‘Our Executive Director Dan Smither, speaks for about 10-15 minutes, explaining the situation (in Africa) and what we’re doing there,? Tanner said.
Tanner, who’s been involved with Key of Hope for many years and had the opportunity to see the conditions in Durban first-hand, said she’s ‘very passionate? about the program.
‘All the pictures and everything can’t really explain what it’s like face-to-face,? she said. ‘When you get on the ground and see those kids and interact with them and how much love they have with seemingly nothing physical in their lives. They barely have a roof over their head, yet they’re so full of love. It’s just so amazing.?
CTK’s Creative Arts Director, Pastor Andrea Holt, who also leads worship, said she ‘loves culture music? and is glad that Key of Hope is able to bring a ‘global sound? to CTK, when a lot of people aren’t able to get to travel to some of these other countries and get that experience.
‘It’s exciting that they’re coming,? she said. ‘It’s an honor to have these kids come and share their lives with us.?