The Accra International Conference Centre will on Sunday Jan 23 host a free four-hour nonstop praise and worship concert dubbed ‘Total Praise and Worship’ from 2pm to 6pm. According to organisers, this edition of the quarterly music programme will be no different from the original concept of an uninterrupted four-hour worship and praise concert with admission being free. Nevertheless, it promises to be bigger and more eventful owing to the seasoned praise and worship ministers and finest instrumentalists from the Ghanaian gospel music circuit that have been lined up to lead the two sessions. Plus it’s the first in 2011 and therefore very significant to worshippers.

Total Praise and Worship is a free non-denominational musical experience -open to anyone- which was borne out of the desire by a group of Christians to set aside quality time dedicated exclusively to the praise and worship of God. It is a four hour intimate period where patrons are led into the manifest presence of God by several anointed worship and praise leaders in turn. There is no preaching or any interruptions, just worshiping-a time of exalting and magnifying the Lord in spite of whatever issues we are facing and then a joyous moment of praise.

The first edition was held in December 2007 at the Alisa Hotel in Accra but after three successive programmes, patrons outgrew the venue and subsequent programmes have had to be rotated among the National Theatre and Accra International Conference Centre. The periodical concert is always filled with joy, excitement and a charged presence of God from the anointed and quality gospel music rendered.

There is also another side to the organisation of Total Praise and Worship. Though just like any concert, its organisation comes with huge cost in terms of paying large sums of money for the venue, sound equipment, publicity, mobilisation, among others, Total Praise & Worship is absolutely a non-profit making event thus admission is free. It is funded by Christians who buy into the vision of supporting the praise and worship of God with their finances. In addition, all worship leaders, instrumentalists and coordinators render their services on a voluntary basis as no payment of any form is made to anybody.

The whole idea, according to Nana Kesewa Dankwa, a member of the organising team, is to bring back the spirit of sacrifice and volunteerism into Christendom, where people give their all wholly to the Lord and will not expect to be paid by man for doing this. “We have to acknowledge the fact that it is God who has given us these various skills, talents and financial resources and He deserves the first fruits of these blessings. One amazing thing many people have not come to realise is that once you give out something precious voluntarily to God, no matter how small, He in turn opens greater doors for more blessings in your life. This aside the love we have for God should be our motivation for what we give to Him in return,” she added.

“There is no sweeter feeling like being lost in a blissful atmosphere of worship. The Total Praise & Worship experience is simply heavenly! Come lay down all the burdens you carry and receive refreshment and empowerment that will take you through the times to come. It is also a time for thanksgiving praise to God for His mercies, having taken us through last year and about to start something great this year. Therefore we are expecting the Conference Centre this Sunday to be filled to capacity with families, friends, organisations, groups, individuals and anyone who owes God a thanksgiving praise and worship for all blessings bestowed on them through all these years and lay a foundation of worship and praise for this year, 2011,” Nana Sei, another member of the organising team relayed. Come Sunday, January 23, 2010, from 2pm to 6pm at the Accra International Conference Centre is another Total Praise and Worship experience never to be missed. Remember, it is absolutely FREE but only requires that you bring along your dancing shoes for the explosive praise session! Don’t miss out!!