Living Sounds beats the drums for the Lord

By Robert OchanThey are captivating in performance, swift in action, melodic with their voices and inspiring with their messages. They are the Living Sounds, a gospel music group with living testimonies about Love and the return of the messiah.Living Sounds, a Church Choir at Redeemed Church Makerere, was born in 1980, at a time when Uganda was in political turmoil.“Those were difficult days. Roadblocks were endless. We would be held for hours at roadblocks, asked to identify ourselves, and say if we were truly Christians,” Steven Ogwang, the group leader and a director recollects.Despite the odds, they persisted with their mission, “We saw real missionary work like Apostle Paul,” Ogwang adds.In 1983 they saw doors opening to their ministry in schools in western, eastern and central Uganda alongside Wings of Hope (an NGO), before African Evangelist Enterprises became an arm of support from 1986 to date.Now, the group is built on a solid base of 20 mature, born-again members. The first time you attend a performance of Living Sounds, you are enchanted by their traditional and Afro-Carribean beat. Among their most popular songs is the Ateso song Edeke edyo pet Bon, (Only One God) Samaritans, Pentecostal Fire and others.The 20-years-old group takes pride in grooming many pastors. Like Edith Namwanjje, pastoring a church on Bussi Island on Lake Victoria, Catherine Mwonge in Stockholm, Sweden and Joseph Mulungi in Jinja.I questioned the baritone-singing leader Ogwang on what their most memorable performance was. He looked up, thought a while, then responded in fluent English.“The performance at Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya. It had an overwhelming response. Many commitments were made to the Lord.”On April 14, the group went on tour in Germany. “We look forward to building stronger relationships with churches in Germany. And expect to revive and inspire the ‘lukewarm’ Christians here.” Ogwang said before they set off.The Living Sounds got its name from a pastor who marvelled at their energy at one performance. The group has trained and inspired prominent and popular gospel artists like: Calvin Owule now with KPC (Kampala Pentecostal Church), Denis Sempebwa of Limit X, Joy Nyabongo of Shalome gospel group in Tanzania, Mary Lule of Voices of Triumph at Redeemed Church, Makerere, Pastor Okudi’s team, and lots other upcoming gospel musicians.ends