Celebration 125 began with the triumphant sound of brass, song, and visual imagery. The Canadian Staff Band did not disappoint a large crowd of Winnipegers and guests at the opening night concert as they offered up sounds of praise set to visual images and video. One of the highlights of the evening was guest conductor, Col. Robert Redhead joining the band to conduct his own creation, “Back to the Future”, a compilation of songs tracing the birth of the Church from creation and the calling of Abraham, and looking to the future to our day.

Bermudian group Jabulani gave life to powerful gospel choruses to the delight of a crowd causing a swaying of bodies of even a cadet busting a move in the back row.

The story does not stop here because these groups didn’t come to Winnipeg just to perform. The behind the scenes ministry of these groups is outstanding as they bring the talents and passions God has given them to the community. On Thursday, Jabulani sang to a group of moms and tots at the Weston Corps daycare centre, and had the group of 62 neighbourhood folks dancing and singing the praises of God. Major Karen Hoeft, C.O., was on cloud nine because of their visit.

The CSB is staying in the inner city core in the Booth College dorms, and you can see them walking en masse to the various venues around the downtown area. It is early Friday morning and I am giving bandmaster Brian Burditt a quick lift to join the band who has split into two groups and performing at Weetamah Corps Family Services and the Booth Centre hostel and rehab centre. I have to offer personal gratitude because anyone who will fly in, play a concert till late into the evening, and get out of bed to perform at Booth or Weetamah, and then March downtown is A+ in my books. In all they played at 6 different venues. And to top it off? They are just thrilled to be a part of the celebration and their attitude reflects it.

Click CFOT for more information about Celebration 125.