By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Renowned gospel artiste and co-founder of the Voice of the Cross gospel band, which started in the 70s and 80s, Apostle Dr. Lazarus Chukwuoma, popularly known as Brother Lazarus, is going to be the guest artiste at the forthcoming Yenagoa Miracle Crusade/Ministers’ Conference.
The crusade/conference is to hold at the King’s City Field, Kingdom Grace Mission Inc, Opposite Nigerian Content Tower, Oxbow-Lake, April on 25th – 28th.
General Overseer of Kingdom Grace Mission Inc, and the host pastor, Apostle Timiebi Kiyaramo, who spoke with newsmen in Yenagoa at the weekend, said Voice of the Cross gospel band will perform live at the Yenagoa Miracle Crusade/Ministers’ Conference, adding that the gathering would be entertained with old tunes of the 70s and 80s, composed by Brother Lazarus and Brother Emmanuel.
“Apostle Lazarus Chukwuoma will be among the brigade of ministers at the forthcoming Yenagoa Miracle Crusade/Ministers’ Conference, billed for April 25 – 28 at the King’s City Field, Kingdom Grace Mission Inc., opposite the Local Content Tower, Oxbow Lake Yenagoa.
“Dr. Chukwuoma Lazarus was one of the two voices that made up the popular Voice of the Cross gospel band, the wave-making gospel music band that ruled the Christian community in the 70s and 80s after the Biafran civil war. The Voice of the Cross gospel musical band had played a leading role in the world of gospel music in the 70s and the 80s as their song ministrations thrilled everyone and left their audiences seeking to hear the duo again and again”, Apostle Kiyaramo said.
According to the general overseer, the desires of people to have them sing again were usually fulfilled whenever they performed, assuring that Yenagoa residents would be thrilled once again by the Voice of the Cross gospel band at the forthcoming Crusade/Ministers’ Conference as they attend the event.
“Some of the songs composed by the Voice of the Cross gospel band are: ‘I Have Seen The Light,’ ‘Hallelujah, Christ Is Coming Very Soon,’ ‘Omeriwo, Onazuputam,’ ‘Thank You For Saving Me (Imela Zuputa Mu),’ ‘Draw Me Nearer Unto thee,’ ‘I Shall Be No Stranger There,’ ‘Why Worry,’ ‘On My Way To Calvary,’ ‘Glory Be To God,’ ‘What Manner Of Man Is Jesus.’ I use this medium to call on residents of Yenagoa and environs to attend this powerful Christian gathering.
“The sweet voices of Brother Lazarus and Brother Emmanuel with organ accompaniment really elicited God’s glory and cheers from worshippers in the 70s and 80s. Brother Emma and Lazarus of Voice of the Cross band actually brought revival to most Nigerian christians then. Though they may have been silent for a while, we are bringing them to Yenagoa to minister in songs to move the hand of God to bless us at the crusade ground.
“Rev. Emmanuel Ogbonna, known as Bro. Emmanuel produced several chart-busting songs like ‘Sing Hallelujah,’ ‘Joy of Salvation,’ ‘Thank You For Saving Me,’ ‘Satan Is In Trouble’ and ‘Good Morning, Jesus.’ Brother Lazarus and Brother Emmanuel were the two voices that made up the popular Voice of the Cross band described as the wave-making gospel music band that ruled the world of gospel music then,” Apostle Kiyaramo said.
“The duo is still singing and have released some gospel songs in recent times, all the way from the United States of America (Gospel High Life Vols. 1 & 2), where they used to live. But that was before Bro. Lazarus came home and decided to stay back for good in his hometown, Amakohia in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State. They are blessed and talented as well. Their songs are soothing and thought provoking. The songs would always bring one into thorough introspection.
“I heard their songs when I was still a very young boy. Their unique voices have always made me always walk down the memory lane whenever I hear it.
“God bless Bro Emmanuel and Lazarus of the Voice of the Cross. They have really touched lives for Jesus through their songs. I was small when I used to hear their songs. Any time I listen to the ‘Fountain of Life’ I shed tears. Thank you for winning souls for Jesus.
“Brother Lazarus’ son, Lazarus Nkwachukwu Chukwuoma Jnr., is now the one singing the part that Brother Emmanuel sang in those days”, Apostle Kiyaramo explained.
It would be recalled that music has been relevant in Christianity since its beginnings. Some of the first music were written in Latin, and they were called hymns. Hymn is a song of praise (Van Camp) and was sung only by Catholic churches. When Martin Luther led the Protestant Reformation and helped create Protestant Christianity, he began translating hymns into German.
