Worshippers Applaud 2026 CCRN Archdiocesan Praise Worship Concert In Kaduna

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The 2026 musical concert of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria (CCRN), Kaduna Archdiocese, has been commended by Christian faithful across various denominations.

The event, held on Sunday at St. Mary’s Parish in Ungwan Boro, Kaduna, attracted praise and worship ministries from across the Archdiocese as well as gospel worship bands from other Christian faiths and denominations.

Speaking on the event, the Kaduna Archdiocesan Coordinator of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Celestine Okoli, stated that the essence of the concert was rooted in the desire to create a dedicated time to worship, honor, and praise God, while building fellowship among members, particularly those in the praise and worship ministry

He assured attendees of plans to expand the concert next year to make it wider, creating a special annual event that invites a broader population of members, Catholics, and non-Catholics alike within the Kaduna metropolis. He noted that the current event served as a test run primarily involving praise and worship members.

​The Archdiocesan Program Planning Committee Chairman, Brother Christopher Peter, provided further insight into the timing and vision of the program. “We agreed that at the middle of the year, we should return to the place of worship. We have done a lot of prayers, we have done a lot of things. Let us trigger the heavens by worship. It’s a continuation. We had one at Queen of Apostles like a month ago, and this one is just a specialized one of all the choirs, all the singing ministries of the various deaneries, and God has shown us that this is where he wants us to go.”

​He explained that the program was initially meant to focus solely on the singing ministry, future editions will merge fellowships so that everyone can participate. “Actually, the program was meant to attend to the singing ministry alone, as there are choir practices and communities are meeting today, but subsequently, we’ll make it one fellowship. where everybody collapses their fellowship and we’ll come and worship together; but the blessing of this one is not lost,” he averred.

​Similarly, the Archdiocesan Praise and Worship Ministry Leader, Brother Felix Anindobu, shared his thoughts: “We are here for the concert—the Archdiocesan Praise and Worship Concert. This is the first of its kind for the Kaduna Archdiocese, to organize a concert like this and gathered brethren to worship and praise God in His tabernacle. So that’s why we are here. It’s actually for all charismatic members of the Archdiocese, because we intend to carry everybody along in terms of praise and worship.”

​Regarding how the message will reach the grassroots, he noted, “By the grace of God, we will meet with the deanery leaders, ask them to organize such a kind of program, or to step it down from the grassroots—which is the community—then the deanery itself. And we also have a live streaming platform of the Archdiocese for those who could not make it, so they can follow us online.”

​The Chairman of the 2026 Musical Concert Planning Committee, Brother Christian Obinaju, described the event’s success: “It’s been a wonderful success from the beginning till this time we’re ending. It’s been a success. At least we’ve done our best, and we hope that next time it will be better than what it is now,” pointing out that a deanery would be hosting a concert the following Sunday and expressing hope that parishes and communities would organize similar events.

​In the same vein, former Archdiocesan Praise and Worship Ministry Leader Brother Cletus Okoh reflected on his experience: “I’m happy about what is going on right now, a time of praise, worship, and impartation, a time of divine experience with God.”

​He added, “I would like to quickly say here, for record purposes, by the grace of God some years back, at about 2003 or 2004, God gave this insight when I was the leader of the Kaduna South Praise and Worship Ministry. We conceived the idea of a concert. That was how we took the first concert and we discovered that this concert has birthed concerts not only at other deaneries, communities, and archdioceses, but even nationally. It’s a great thing.

” And I want to use this opportunity to say the church is doing a great thing and we are happy, and to also thank God for most of our priests who have embraced music back, you know, in a very special way, like organizing concerts, organizing worship experiences, and all that. We want to thank them for taking it to a higher level, where we are able to bring our brethren in other Christian denominations. It’s a good one.” he stated.

On her part, the Coordinator of the Banawa Deanery, Evangelist Ann Yashim, noted that the event was organized to give glory to God, who is faithful. She stated that it exists because God wants His people to praise Him, as the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Adding that the experience draws participants closer to God, helps them worship Him, and highlights that there is no one else like God.

She maintained further plans to replicate this across various deaneries, noting that dedicating even two or three hours to God is glorious. The goal is for leaders and coordinators to return to their communities, set times apart to lift His holy name, and offer the fruit of praise and worship.

​Earlier, speaking on the message titled “The God of Awesome Wonders,” Makera Deanery Coordinator Brother Sunday Boniface focused on the presence of God. He emphasized that the wonders of praise and worship bring down God’s manifest presence (referencing Psalm 114:1-2 and Psalm 22:3), causing everything contrary to His glory to give way.

He also cited Judges 1:2—where Judah, meaning “praise” or “thanksgiving,” was chosen to go up first after the death of Joshua—he stressed that praise and thanksgiving must precede how believers handle unpleasant or challenging situations, rather than complaining or magnifying difficulties.

​Similarly, the Band Leader of the Grace Covenant Band (ECWA English Service), Barrister Peter Salifu, remarked, “It’s a good thing, you know, when Christ was leaving his prayer, his word, that they all may be one. So we are excited to come to a Catholic Church. We are from the evangelical arm, and we’ve honored the Catholic invitation because it was a good thing to get an invitation from them.”

​Describing how he felt about the event, he added, “It’s okay, it’s good. I pray that we’ll be able to have more of something like this and louder. Okay? This was not very loud. What I mean by not very loud, we only came because we were invited. We did not see posters, we did not see programs. Yes. If we had a high publicity where more denominations will be invited, but it’s good. It can only start from somewhere. Yes, you do not despise the day of little beginnings while starting small,

“. I hope this continues. I like the unity. I also heard invitations of other denominations too. I’m glad that it came out. And the songs that I’m hearing—I was thinking I would come and hear only ” traditional Catholic songs” but we end up hearing songs that we are familiar with. So it’s a good thing.”he added

​A guest artist, Timothy Udier, popularly known as Timmikay, explained how it felt to perform at the concert: “I actually find it a thing of joy because, you know, the Bible said let everything that has breath praise God. So singing praises and worship to God is, I feel, what I’m created to do. So I feel excited because I’m fulfilling purpose, you know. It is a joyful thing actually.”

​He added, “Music is a universal language. So I don’t think music should be caged, provided it brings an avenue for people to express their hearts to God. It should be a welcome idea. So I feel the Church in general should do more of this, because we have a lot of our brothers who are going outside to enjoy this particular thing we’re enjoying now. It should be sustained.

He urged priests of diverse parishes to see it as a welcome idea, the need to allow youths who have the vision to conceive it and give it expression.”