THE EXPERIENCE AT ‘THE EXPERIENCE’ 2012 – Written by Shofarr

Though the queue at the gate seemed endless, the people were determined to get in…no

matter the cost and I don’t mean that monetarily because everyone knows that entrance into

The Experience arena is free, always has been, always will be (Amen). I was in the queue

for about 20 minutes but I didn’t mind. I had only one mission in mind at that moment: Get

into the main arena! The bleachers, ground, overflow were packed to the rafters as over half

a million people were prepared to lift hands high and praise the King.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Experience, 2012”, the booming voice of the compere came through the speakers and the announcement produced screams, whistles (the whistles! We may come back to those if the headache lets up) and shrieking vuvuzelas (you didn’t think they were still around, did ya?). People started running around looking for spots to pitch their legs and bags as the curtains of The Experience 2012, the largest gospel music in Africa, were officially drawn open. Sammie Okposo and the Chosen Treasure launched the concert soon after the opening prayer was said by Pastor Victor Adeyemi of Global Harvest Church. With songs like Days of Elijah and Otu a Ka Chineke Anyi Di, Sammie Okposo and the Chosen Treasure led the crowd to singing and dancing and praising God.

Wale Adenuga, who has written worship songs that have become everyday praise and worship songs in basically every congregation and Christian household across the country was invited up the stage and he rendered some of his hits like the very popular Today O. No one remained in their sits as the familiar tunes came up as voices joined with Mr. Adenuga’s as the crowd sang and danced and worshipped.

Chevelle Franklyn

Chevelle Franklin who’s no stranger to The Experience stage, got over 500,000 people

feeling “irie” as she put a reggae spin on our local songs like Midnight Crew’s Igwe with her

unique sound. The Jamaican-born producer and songwriter went on to minister with songs

like Call Him Jesus and Winner Man.

The atmosphere literally became electrified when Deitrick Haddon landed on the stage.

Known for his energetic performances and deep ministrations, Deitrick led hundreds of

thousands of worshippers in offering a sweet smelling praise to God. He was shuttling from

one end of the stage to another faster than the speed of lightning (a little exaggeration there)  and his passion was so contagious that none remained sitting but many were on the feet one minute, in the air for about five seconds and back on their feet again. I absolutely adore

Deitrick…his anointing is just too real, biko. Ministering with songs like Mighty God, Well

Done, Watch me Praise Him, the crowd couldn’t contain itself when he started belting out He’s

Able.

Wherever the Spirit of God is, miracles abound so it was no surprise when a young

lady who had earlier been involved in an accident and had come in with her legs in a cast

and walking with the aid of crutches dropped her crutches in the sight of everyone as God

touched her bones and strengthened them. One thing we can draw from this is to praise

through our pain, difficulties, weaknesses, etc and sit back and watch God work. She didn’t

let any cast or crutch stop her from attending the event and then received her healing when she surrendered and praised. Deitrick didn’t heal her, his song didn’t heal her, God did. A mighty mighty God is who we serve and there is no one greater.

1Tim.2:1-2 says that we should pray, intercede and make supplications for those in authority so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence. This is a specific way to pray for all men since the decisions and actions of the government affects the society as a whole. So we did. At intervals, intercessions for Nigeria were led by a number of ministers including Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre and Pastor Anslem

Madubuko of Revival Assembly. Because prayers affect decisions at the highest level, the

crowd lifted up their voices and enthroned the King of Kings, the president’s President, the

government’s Governing Authority – The Most High God, putting every other authority below Him.

The distress in our country was laid at the feet of the Master as people prayed both in

mind and in Spirit for the brethren in the North and the attack on the Church in the Northern parts by the Boko Haram sect. Soldiers of God must face difficulties and since we don’t battle with flesh and blood, we fought in the Spirit. Pastor Amos Kunat of the New Baptist church exhorted the people to be steadfast in their prayers and not wait till the situation knocked on their door or that of their family members. He talked about how over 70 churches in the North had been burnt down and the Christians are facing persecutions on every side and many have been killed, their bodies and homes burnt to ashes. It’s imperative that we keep praying for the brethren that face death every day and are not able to leave their hiding places because of all the attacks.

Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, the first lady of Lagos state was present on behalf of herself and her  husband, the governor of Lagos state, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. Also present were Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N), ministers of God and a number of government officials. Former Head of State, (Rtd) General Yakubu Gowon was also present. He addressed the crowd on the religious crisis in the country adding that it was very unfortunate, the crisis, especially after he had taken measures to unite Nigeria during his regime.

Fred Hammond

The familiar sonorous voice of Fred Hammond continued to take us on a praise ride. Belting out hits like Bread of Heaven, Glory to Glory, He’s Able, Blessed in the City and the up-tempo This is the Day, we worshippers got out groove on, dancing and hopping from foot to foot. . Oh, that night we went to Soweto in South Africa…every one of us…and praised there. True story. The Soweto Spiritual Singers were just out of this world. I really love watching traditional South African performances. These people were obviously too high in His Highness. Do flies come out at night? No? Then 3 mosquitoes pitched their tent in my agape mouth as this group performed with such energy…I may have even seen a cartwheel somewhere. I had to literally drag my mouth off the concrete. They were ah-may-ziing. Their performance included the popular Sound of Victory and speaking of performance, the group’s level of artistry was very impressive.

Soweto Spiritual Singers

We had a surprise guest in the person of Michelle Williams from the defunct group, Destiny’s Child. Clad in iro and buba (the Yoruba traditional attire) in the Nigerian colours, green and white, she passionately sang the National Anthem. Still in the spirit of national solidarity, Timi Dakolo moved the crowd with his song Great Nation.

Mitchell Williams singing the Nigerian National Anthem

One of the playlists that really impressed me was Isreal Houghton’s. Why? You ask. Well,

for the simple reason that I knew 98% of the songs he performed. Lol. Our God is an Awesome God, Lord You are Good and Your mercies Endureth Forever, and Our God is Greater (I LOVE this song by the way) are some of the up-tempo songs he rendered. I didn’t just sing along,  I screamed along. After a moment, Israel H shed his guitar and sat behind his piano and keyed the board out of that baby. I mean, my eyes couldn’t keep up with those fingers as they dashed across the keyboard producing a sweet, sweet melody of tunes like Here I Am To Worship, You are Alpha and Omega and many more heart stirring, spirit fellowshipping songs.

Israel Houghton

What household is a stranger to the tunes of Don Moen? I won’t be too surprised if non-

believers have at one  time or the other had one of his albums. For over 25 years, Don Moen has released worship songs after worship songs that have touched and changed the lives on many. With his cool and calm demeanour, Don Moen steals your attention from the moment utters a word. With evergreen tracks like God Will Make A Way, I Just Want to Be Where You Are and Lord I Offer My Life to You, Don Moen drew the crowd to him as all voices merged into one. The atmosphere was thick with praise and worship. When Don Moen finally sang God is Good All the Time, people went wild. It was such a joy as everyone danced and sang in harmony with the instruments. We lost every shred of inhibition as we let ourselves loose and praised.

Don Moen

Bishop John Francis of Ruac Ministries in the UK gave an uplifting sermon and had everbody asking their neighbour: Neighbour, can I get a witness? After his sermon, he asked the people to scream, and I can’t be too certain, but an earthquake may have occurred somewhere when we screamed.

Many people died that day. Yes, died. Died to the flesh and found new life in Christ when they heeded the altar call made by Pastor Victor Adeyemi. It was such a beautiful moment as many turned from darkness into the light and became joint-heirs with Christ. Imagine the rejoicing that went on in heaven at that moment. Le sigh. Life in Christ is too amazing.

Michah Stampley

Micah Stampley was the final international act to grace the stage. Don’t persecute me when I type what I’m about to because in my defence, I’m a hip hop head, but before that moment, Micah Stampley was just a name to me. One of my friends was so psyched to see him perform and the moment he opened his mouth (Mr Stampley, that is), I could see why. My goodness, what depth! I was literally transfixed. Before then, I only knew one of his songs (which he also performed), Take My Life but every song he sang on that stage ministered to me. When I managed to glance at his face, it was obvious that his spirit had taken over. It was just too amazing. Micah Stampley has a fan in me.

Sammie Okposo came back on stage with the X-Generation and switched it up Niger- Delta style. Does every one carry a white handkerchief everywhere they go? It seemed so o because when urged to, it was like every one produced one (except me. Judge me not). Etighi, azonto and other traditional dances were on display as the crowd got down and grooved.

Sammie Okposo and X Generation

The amazing saxophonist, Mike Aremu drew the curtain close with the sweet, sonically pleasing tunes of his sax as people danced to his tunes until he left the stage. Even though different people came for different reasons – and not all reasons were positive ones – many did not leave the same way they came, having been ministered to by the Spirit of God. I just want to bless Pastor Paul Adefarasin. It’s not easy but with God all things are possible and God has used him to reach hundreds of thousands that would otherwise not have had the opportunity to experience God. Breaking down all religious, political, social, economic, academic boundaries, The Experience has fostered unity among God’s people. It’s only God that can reward Pastor Paul.

If you were not there, let me just jejely tell you now that you missed. Big time. I hope I’ve managed to rub it in. Lol. Just kidding. Or maybe I’m not. God knows. 

Follow Shofarr on Twitter @Shofarr and Praiseworld Radio @PRAISEWORLD_

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