Community Fellowship to host African Choir

The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir will perform in Clarendon at 11 a.m. on December 29, giving local residents a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy this extraordinary group.

There will be no charge to attend the event at Community Fellowship Church at 4491 FM 2161. Donations will be accepted.

The African Children’s Choir is celebrating its 40th anniversary during their U.S. Tour, marking four decades of transforming lives through the power of music, education, and hope.

As they embark on this milestone celebration, the Choir will continue to captivate audiences with their heartwarming performances of popular children’s tunes, traditional spiritual songs, and vibrant African cultural pieces.

Choir Manager Tina Sipp said the organization began in 1984 when a pastor working with persecuted Christians in Africa was struck by the faith of a young boy. He thought if Americans could see that faith, they would most certainly help those in need.

Since then, the African Children’s Choir has traveled all over the world in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, but this will be their first performance in Clarendon.

“The African Children’s Choir proves just how powerful music can be,” says Choir Manager Tina Sipp. “These concerts not only provide hope and encouragement to our audiences, but they offer the children life-changing experiences that help shape them into future leaders.”

Sipp told the Enterprise the children come from some of the poorest conditions. Families agree to let the children perform in the choir for a five-month period; and afterward, the schooling for the children is paid for all the way through a college degree.

“This is 40 years of churches standing with us,” she said. “We couldn’t do it without these local churches, and I can’t express my gratitude enough. This is huge what they are doing.”

Comprised of children aged 8 to 11, all from vulnerable backgrounds across Africa, the African Children’s Choir serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and potential of Africa’s future leaders. Each child in the Choir has faced significant hardship, often with limited access to education.

Yet, through the Choir, these children gain life-changing opportunities for education and personal growth, becoming beacons of hope for their communities.

In honor of this special 40th anniversary, the Choir invites communities to experience their performances and be part of their mission to bring hope through music.

“The performance is a mix of track music, English hymns set to African music, dance, and praise music in African languages,” Sipp said. “It’s like an 80-minute aerobic exercise. It’s very amazing and entertaining.”

Sipp said the performances change the lives of the kids, who return to grow up and help others in their communities.

“We not only educate the mind; we educated the heart to give back,” Sipp said.

For more information, visit africanchildrenschoir.com.