The renowned African Children’s Choir will perform twice on Easter Sunday at two Central Texas churches and the pastors of each facility said their congregations are excited.

“We can seat a little more than 300 and we’re always standing-room-only for these kids,” said John Wheatley, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Valley Mills.

The 15 youths from Kenya will perform a lively variety of songs in English and their native language for 90 minutes starting at 6 p.m. April 24. Gospel and spiritual music are on the program.

The African Children’s Choir will perform in Central Texas on Easter Sunday.
African Children's Choir photo

“People come because they are good, they are talented,” Wheatley said. “But the main attraction is seeing their smiles and their hearts, as well as having an opportunity to be a part of them having a better life.”

The church will take up an offering to cover the choir’s expenses and benefit its ministry. Money raised by the choir goes to improve educational opportunities and build orphanages in several African nations.

Promotional material said the first choir was formed in 1984. Each year, a new choir takes shape and the children from the previous choir return to their homelands to attend school.

Since its inception, the choir has established schools and provided scholarships in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

Choir members have sung for presidents and kings, joining performers such as Annie Lennox, Josh Groban and Faith Hill. They also have appeared on “American Idol” and with late-night television host and comedian Jay Leno.

Wheatley said people wanting a good seat at the 6 p.m. service on Easter Sunday should arrive early. He said the choir usually has CDs to sell of its performances that also benefit ministries.

Valley Mills is northwest of Waco on State Highway 6, near the McLennan-Bosque County line.

“This is about the seventh or eighth time we’ve had this group and we’re so proud we’re about to bust,” said Doug Evans, pastor of Community Church of Laguna Park near Whitney.

He said the church typically attracts fewer than 50 people to Sunday services, but “there is never any telling how many will show up when the choir is performing.”

He said the group usually brings nearly 30 members and includes youths from several African nations.

Evans said the children arrive about a week early to rest and have fun. They travel in a tour bus up to 13 months at a time and are accompanied by chaperones, teachers and a nurse.

“This is what they call ‘camp’ week, so they won’t have many rehearsals. They will just be children being children, which is the best time to have them because I can run and play as good as anybody,” Evans said with a laugh.

He said the youths will go horseback riding, visit a ranch that raises longhorn cattle and attend a cookout.

The performance at Community Church of Laguna Park will begin at 11 a.m. and last an hour.

Laguna Park is located along State Highway 22 in southeastern Bosque County, about 27 miles northwest of Waco. The community is located at the southern end of Lake Whitney.

“We have a sign that says, ‘Serving the whole dam area,’ ” said Evans, referring to the church’s proximity to the dam on Lake Whitney. “Some folks have raised eyebrows at that.”

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736