HUNTINGTON -- They come from conditions of extreme poverty, but their smiles and songs express faith and hope.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, more than two dozen Ugandan children will perform at Pea Ridge Baptist Church as part of the African Children's Choir.
The event is free and open to the public, and will offer area residents a chance to be inspired, according to Dawna Hodgins, publicity coordinator.
Two groups of children are currently touring North America as part of the choir. The group stopping in Huntington is made up of 26 7-to 9-year-olds, many of them orphans. They will perform a mix of traditional and contemporary songs as well as African song and dance.
"The children will touch your hearts," Hodgins said. "It's impossible to see a concert and not walk away touched."
Pea Ridge Baptist Pastor Greg Creasy said he's known about the choir program, which started in 1984, for several years. He said the chance to host the group locally is exciting.
Creasy said the opportunity expands understanding of the world's needs and brings some of those needs closer.
"It also shrinks the size of the world because we're able to see firsthand and experience firsthand people's lives and connect with them," he said. "I believe anytime we can have a cross cultural experience, be it in the church or the community, it really deepens our understanding of global needs."
Connie Forth, the church's office manager, said she very much looks forward to seeing the children perform.
"We're a missionary church, so any time we get an opportunity to share with our folks the works that are going on around the world we're anxious for that," she said.
Forth said she's seen the African Children's Choir perform on television, but never in person. She said many people have called the church inquiring about the event.
The choir has performed thousands of concerts all over the world, including performances on "American Idol" and alongside Mariah Carey and Josh Groban.
As part of the choir, children typically tour for 12 to 15 months and then return to Africa for education.
"Being a part of the choir gives them an opportunity for the future," Hodgins said.
The program provides them with schooling as well as food and medical care throughout their education.
"These are children who had virtually nothing. They now have hope. They have a life. They have a future. They made it out of the circumstances they were in and are truly making a difference in their country," Hodgins said.
The event typically gives the children a chance to share their dreams with the crowd, telling them what they want to be when they grow up, like doctors, lawyers and journalists.
"To see those dreams and those hopes fulfilled is a truly incredible experience," she said.
Choirs are made up of children across Africa, though the group performing in Huntington is from Uganda. Children audition as part of African day camps and are selected based on their commitment to education, their need, and musical ability. They then spend several months catching up on schooling, learning music and learning about North America.
An offering will be taken during the event to support the choir's ministries, providing education, care and emergency relief for more than 7,000 children in Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, Kenya and South Africa.
More information is available by calling the church at 304-736-5572.
Pea Ridge Baptist Church is located at 5945 E Pea Ridge Road.
The choir also performed Sunday at Baptist Temple in Charleston at 209 Morris St.
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