Anyone who paid attention to Britain’s Got Talent (or social media for us non-TV watchers) will know that a choir called 100 Voices Of Gospel had not only contended on the show, but actually made quite an impact.
The judges themselves have admitted to their performance creating a feeling within themselves that they could not quite explain. It had David Walliams actually saying “Praise the Lord” and Alesha Dixon described it as her “idea of heaven”. They knew there was something special about the choir, but it seemed as though they couldn’t quite put their finger on it at the time.
As the choir performed so skillfully, in unity and with such passion; the judges and the general audiences thought that what they are seeing was great talent. But could it be, that something else was taking place? Something more than just talent. What if, the thing that they were experiencing, was another move of the Holy Spirit? Surely we have seen great choirs before but that doesn’t lessen the impact of the God’s presence, in fact it serves to amplify it.
Unashamedly, this large group of singers brought worship songs to not only a large crowd of thousands in the arena, but also a crowd of millions on one the UK’s most popular TV Shows. And it’s got me thinking about what I’ve heard many Christian artists say – both directly and indirectly – that when taking music into the secular world, you must be careful how you use the name of Jesus, in case you get turned away or rejected. But 100 Voices Of Gospel took a very bold approach, and they got through to the final having touched many people along the way (sadly they didn’t win in the final).
So could it be, that there is a need for more gospel artists to go into the secular world and to be more bold?
The closest example of this I can think of in the Bible is the book of Acts. On the day of Pentecost, when multitudes had an experience of the Holy Spirit – praying in other tongues, in such a way that regular society would perceive to be ‘crazy’. Something took place, and unbelievers who witnessed it knew something had taken place, but weren’t sure what. At first, they figured that those praying were drunk; but when the Apostle Peter explained what was really taking place, many got saved. After that, many got saved daily.
Two things this and the 100 Voices Of Gospel have in common:
- An experience of the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers are witnessing something, and are being touched in a way that they cannot explain.
- Strength in numbers. A large choir representing 20 nations in unity – all in one accord with one purpose.
Now as we mentioned before, Gospel choirs or performances on talent shows across the world is nothing new. The size and scale of this choir and inclusion of other creative arts, break & street dancing to complement the traditional Gospel music definitely made 100 Voices Of Gospel stand out.
Could it be that what was taking place on Britain’s Got Talent was another outpouring of God’s spirit..? Is there something that we can take from this?
Is it time for more Christian artists to follow the move of God and get more loud?
Jamie G
Contributing Writer