What brings Ottawa students to school on a Saturday night?
Try a free concert.
The Algonquin Student Commons theatre hosted Ottawa students on September 17 for the third year of the annual One Desire event.
The event held by the Church of Pentecost Ottawa aims to bring young people together to worship God, regardless of church denominations or racial background.
One Desire, a Christian event, was started by the youth of the church, who felt a lack unity amongst church denominations. They felt churches tend to hold concerts and programs exclusive to members that brew silent competition and take the glory from God. The event incorporates churches working together, praying together and learning from each other all for the glory of God, which they do through a mass choir.
The name One Desire comes from the psalm of David, Psalm 27:4 who expresses his “one desire” which is to “constantly dwell in God’s presence and seek His face.”
At the dress rehearsal church deacon, King George Acquah, urged performers to show passion. Acquah, said, the audience should constantly feel the passion, you [as a performer] feels for God [believer or not]. “Even when you are burning the song, burn with passion” Acquah said, adding that the audience should be “flamboyantly flabbergasted.” This jovial atmosphere soon became a powerful worship session where passion indeed was felt.
It carried into the actual event, act after act you could see the passion on each performer’s face. Singers, actors, speakers and band all performed with passion. Kwame Donkor, music director said the group had been practicing for 6 months leading up to the show. Donkor also reiterated the concept for passion worship to the performers
The show began with the mass choir. They sang a variety of worship songs which set the tone for the evening. It continued with various solo acts, receiving grand applauses. They presented a convicting drama, that brought many to tears.
The show ended with an upbeat praise session that incorporated a blend of pop, hip-hop, Afrocentric and reggae sounds, catering to the diversity of the audience.
Elena Minnow, recent Ottawa U graduate described the event as being “very well organized, creative ability of all those involved was properly highlighted. Definitely a wonderful way to spend my Saturday evening in the presence of God.”
Lynnette Antwi- Boasiako, Carleton student, had similar comments. “It was awesome, I loved the group so much” she said.
This is the third year the event has been held at Algonquin. Organizers say they are impressed by the professionalism of the sound and stage technicians. They expect to return again next year.
Church of Pentecost meets weekly for a variety of services at 26 Thorncliff Place in Nepean. For more information on Church of Pentecost Ottawa or One Desire 2017, contact C.O.P Ottawa at 613-798-0905.