“Singers should reflect Christ, not fashion, in gospel music” – Methodist Minister admonishes:

Reverend James Kwasi Annan, Chaplain for the Kumasi Diocesan Choirs, has urged Christian singers to embody Christ-like behavior in their lives, cautioning against treating gospel ministry as a mere fashion.

Reverend Annan expressed concern that church singers, including choristers and praise and worship leaders, are often perceived negatively due to misconduct among some of them. He emphasized that church singing is a significant ministry that should not be undervalued.

His comments came during “The Robe Must Go To Town,” an evangelism initiative launched in November 2022 by the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church Choirs. The program, which included participation from other Methodist Church organizations alongside the choir, was described by Reverend Annan as highly impactful.

Mrs. Elizabeth Frempah, acting chairperson of the Kumasi Diocesan Choir, stated that the program, originally initiated by Professor Samuel Nortey during his tenure as Diocesan Chairman, has effectively achieved its goals. These include gospel preaching for repentance through hymns and praise songs, as well as street evangelism. She added that the initiative has motivated choristers to engage in God’s work and has led to repentance among some individuals.

Professor Christopher Larbie, Diocesan Lay Chaplain, explained that the church, recognizing the choir’s initiative as a positive step, joined the gospel preaching ministry, which has historically been a hallmark of the Methodist Church. He encouraged all church members to participate in evangelism efforts whenever possible.

Professor Samuel Nortey, founder of “The Robe Must Go To Town” and current National 1st Vice Chairman of the Association of the Methodist Church Choirs, expressed his delight at the program’s success and its positive impact on numerous lives.

Professor Nortey emphasized that the initiative’s success stems from its innovative approach to reaching individuals outside of traditional church settings. “The Robe Must Go To Town’ was created during my tenure as Chairman for the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Choir.” Professor Nortey recounted, adding that, “It has been remarkable to see it attract not only the characters, but also lay executives, other church members and even Reverend Ministers. According to him, the program has become a means of reaching people that would not normally attend church services.”

Since its inception, he said, the initiative has undertaken several successful outings. “The program began with outings to areas like Adum. While initially met with modest success, subsequent events began to gain traction and generate interest. The impact is growing, with more people hearing the message,” said Professor Nortey.

The professor further elaborated on how the initiative has expanded its reach over time. “The initiative’s success has led to its adoption by other dioceses at the choir level. A pivotal moment occurred when the lay chairman, Professor Labi, championed the effort, leading the lay movement council to orchestrate a recent event. The latest event saw unprecedented participation from various church organizations, including men’s and women’s fellowships. Despite heavy rain, individuals from all walks of life attended, demonstrating the initiative’s growing appeal.”