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Keith Ministries
Keith
Ministries is an urban based music and dance group based in
St.Francis Chapel Makerere University and Kampala Pentecostal
Church,Kampala comprised of ten young professionals who have
devoted part of their time to reach the urban youth through
music and dance.
With a humble beginning in 1997 with only one founder member the
group has grown to ten members today, from reaching only a few
members of a one church congregation to being known by the whole
of Kampala city and held four annual sold-out concerts to date.
The group has established itself today as one of the most
recognizable and exciting dance and music groups with a large
following, which appeals to not only the youth but also the
whole family. It has made appearances on television, radio,
written about in newsprint and been invited to perform before
the First family of Uganda.
Keith Ministries has just concluded a sold out-show which
attracted a full house in November 2003,at the launch of their
newly released album-ARISE. The group embarked thereafter on a
tour to schools, universities and churches in 2003 and beginning
of 2004,preaching the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ but also
assisting the young people face some decisions on the choices
they should be making in life. This has given Keith Ministries
an opportunity to offer constructive advice based on the gospel
to very impressionable youth and children who are at the time
when they need to be making the wise choices.
Keith
ministries have reached many Ugandans by using the mass media
such as WBS, The New Vision, The Monitor Newspaper, not to
mention the countless radio stations. These stations, which
include Sanyu FM 2000, Capital FM, Radio One, C.B.S, Dembe FM.
Monitor FM, Power FM, Kampala FM, Top Radio and several others,
currently, playing the music from the Album. The recently
concluded show has been branded- the best show in Christian
Entertainment due to its innovative fusion of artistic ingenuity
and technology.
With one of the most publicized shows and a very attractive
album to go with it the group has become one of the most sought
after sources of entertainment in the schools and youth
gatherings around the city and the district at large.
Keith Ministries has used its already soaring popularity for a
good cause and many companies have supported Keith Ministries in
its efforts. These companies include cca-cola, Power F.M
104.1,SMS Media, Intersoft Business Ltd, New Day Bookshop and
valley view Designers.
VISION OF KEITH MINISTIRZ:
“A WORLD LIVING FOR CHRIST”
MISSION:
“The
livelihood of youth improved by providing a choice for positive
living by teaching the gospel of Christ as a realistic choice
for today.”
OBJECTIVES:
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ spread through music and dance.
2. Activities of Keith Ministries publicized and made known.
3. Spiritual growth for members of Keith Ministries through
continued fellowship and spiritual accountability.
4. Funds raised to help run the ministry activities.
5. Activities of Keith Ministries input into our home churches.
Previous article
For those of you who are familiar with the gospel music scene in
Uganda, the name of the group Keith Ministries definitely grabs
your attention. For those who don't know them, this is a
contemporary gospel group that combines powerful dance and song
(a feature rare in gospel performance) that produces a lively
performance wherever they stage their shows.
The main man behind the group is none other than Keith Kibirango,
who founded the group in '97.
"I started Keith Ministries by going solo from St Francis Chapel
Praise Group of Makerere University," he says "With a lot of
support from St Francis, the group grew from two members in '98
to six and now we are nine active members."
Born
in the church, Keith went through the motions of being a
Christian that everyone apart from his family and pastor thought
he was. Until in his late teens he finally made the decision to
give his life to Christ. From then on life became easier since
he did not feel in his heart as the odd man out among fellow
Christians. And from there, he discovered the wrong impression
the youth had about Christianity.
"Our aim is to demonstrate to the youth that Christian life is
not boring. So we reach out with the gospel attractive to the
youth. That's where their main concern is, fun. That's why there
is a lot of creative dancing in our shows. We do not to take
over the role of the church but save souls and give
encouragement to the youth."
Keith Ministries comprises of nine active members, Makerere
graduates with day jobs which makes their rehearsals very
difficult to carry out though they meet twice a week, Fridays
and Sunday afternoons.
Their greatest challenges stem from the fact that all their
endeavours are funded from their own pockets as well as friends
and good Samaritans. This is very straining especially when it
comes to costumes, due to the number of appearances they have to
make.
However Keith attributes their success to the fact that they are
a very prayerful group, a quality he is very thankful for, thus
God always supplies their needs.
On the issues of trials and temptations, Keith said that since
he is not profit motivated, there is no money in his line of
music. So it is quite hard to keep up with the job let alone
thinking of doing it for the money.
Also they do their best to avoid sexual temptations that comes
along with such a line of work. And lastly pride can topple
anyone faster than anything can. But all this is kept in check
by prayer, fasting and sharing another's burdens. All this helps
them focus on their mission.
So far Keith Ministries has released an album titled The Light
officially launched last year in August available on sale in
stores and Christian bookshops. |