Top Gospel artists unite to raise awareness of persecuted church

Following the recent high profile case of Mariam Ibrahim, who was sentenced to death in Sudan for becoming a Christian, and other similar injustices highlighted on social media sites, many of Northern Ireland’s top Gospel singers have decided to come together to hold a special concert to raise awareness and practical funds for Christians who are currently suffering persecution in many different countries.

The concert which is to be held in the main function room of the Seagoe Hotel in Portadown on Saturday, June 28, will feature many of the country’s best known and respected Gospel artists. The concert will run from 7.30-10.30pm and will include;

Revelation, Live Issue, Paul Silcock, Pathway, Justified, Simple Faith, Victoria Salt, Kathryn Mitchell, Kingdom Bound and The Calderwood Sisters.

Northern Ireland is now being recognised as the main centre for Gospel Music in Europe, with many of our local artists now regulars at the major Gospel Music events throughout the British Isles, Europe and the United States.

For the first time the artists taking part in this concert have issued a joint statement which reads;

“As Christian artists we recognise how fortunate we are in Northern Ireland to be able enjoy the freedom of sharing our ministry and faith without threat or hindrance.

“Recent high profile cases such as that of Mariam Ibrahim only serve to highlight the plight of brothers and sisters in Christ who are being imprisoned, tortured and murdered for their Christian faith.

“We feel it is our responsibility to highlight these severe injustices and the persecution that is taking place against Christians throughout the world today. Our involvement in “The Concert for the Persecuted Church” will hopefully help raise awareness and funds for much needed practical support for Christians who constantly live under threat and persecution.”

There are no tickets or an admission charge to attend the concert in the Seagoe Hotel and all the artists are giving freely of their time and talents to support this cause.

There will, however, be a donation collected during the concert and all proceeds will be going to Open Doors Worldwide which supports those who are suffering throughout the world because of their Christian Faith.

More details of this special one-off concert can be found on Facebook by searching “Concert for the Persecuted Church.”