Schedule for New York, July 2014

Ministry Report – NCGI US East Coast-MidWest Team on East Coast, March 27-April 8, 2013

Summary: Janet, Kimberley & Alexis Plummer travelled to New York from Michigan to join Cheryl & Holmes Lindsay for ministry on the US East Coast.  This was a whirlwind 12-day ministry journey, during Easter observations, and encompassed events in New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland!

The Team included vocalists Alexis, Cheryl and Janet and, at times, Kimberley.  Holmes functioned as Sound Engineer with Kimberley handling the contact table and CD sales most of the time.

Ministry events began at the Jan Peek House Homeless Shelter in Peekskill, New York, with an evening program of song on Good Friday.  Residents of the Shelter enjoyed the music and were blessed with copies of the NCGI “Always” CD, compliments of several benefactors who sponsored the gifts for that occasion.

Next followed an arduous journey to share ministry with Christ Central Church, in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon.  NCGI was hosted by Reverend Schuyler Cline at the invitation of friends, Denise and Claude Armstrong.  Immediately thereafter the Group travelled to Silver Spring, Maryland, for an “Ole time Jamaican Lyme” hosted by Winsome Young-Fye (formerly of Jamaican music groups Branches of the Vine and Maranatha Singers) and husband, Amos.

Sunday morning found our minstrels departing early to travel back to New York for ministry in the morning service at Institutional AME Zion Church, Yonkers, pastored by the Reverend Dr. Sandra Comerie-Smith, who knew NCGI in its Jamaica hey-days.

The Group next shared their musical ministry on Wednesday, April 3, in a program entitled “Times of Refreshing” that was hosted by the United Methodist Church of Peekskill and Pastor Cherie Phillips. The program was very well-attended and those gathered expressed effusively how blessed and refreshed they were by the singing and sharing.

On Thursday, April 4, the NCGI US East Coast-MidWest Team returned to Institutional AME Zion Church in Yonkers, New York, for a Times of Refreshing program.  In testimony to the resoundingly positive New York reception to NCGI, there were several repeat patrons from ministry sessions earlier that week.  Once again the audience was deeply touched by the evening’s ministry.  It was a special treat to reconnect with one of NCGI’s long-time friends from Jamaica, Sharon Richards-Brooks.

The historic Foster Memorial AME Zion Church was the venue for the following evening’s event.  This church is hailed as the longest church in continuous use in New York and was part of the Underground Railroad.  Host Pastor, Reverend Paul Smith welcomed the NCGI Team for the Concert program.

The Team’s penultimate event together was hosted by Higher Dimensions Ministries International, led by Bishop & Pastor Marvin & Maxine Bradshaw, in collaboration with Pastor E. Malcolm of the Full Gospel Church of God.  For this ministry, the Group travelled to Newark, New Jersey and shared a few songs as part of a program moderated by Rev. Malcolm.  Here, members were happy to reconnect with Pastor Maxine Bradshaw, an old friend of the NCGI ministry.  Bishop Marvin Bradshaw had high praise for the depth of NCGI’s musical ministry.

On Sunday morning, Janet and Alexis shared in song at morning services at the United Methodist Church of Peekskill at the special request of Pastor Cherie Phillips.  The congregants expressed deep appreciation for the musical blessing.

Songs shared during the various ministry events covered many NCGI signature favorites and included the following:

* NCGI original songs

The NCGI US East Coast-MidWest Team was blessed by new and old friends met during this 12-day Tour and looks forward to returning soon on the East Coast to once again share Times of Refreshing in musical experiences of worship!

Ministry Report – NCGI US East Coast-MidWest Team in Michigan, October 15-22, 2012

Summary: Cheryl & Holmes Lindsay travelled to Michigan from New to join with Janet & Alexis Plummer for rehearsals and ministry.  On Sunday, October 21, Alexis, Cheryl and Janet performed at two churches along with Holmes (sound engineer), Chris, Kimberly and Maylin for support:

Thanks to the instrumentality of Mr. Errol Service, a civic and community leader and Michigan Representative for the Jamaican Diaspora movement, the Team was received for ministry at Northend Church of God In Christ, pastored by Elder Willie Toone.  Minister Maurice Ghoston, Divisional Director for FourSquare Churches in the Heartland District of Michigan, who knows the Team, invited NCGI to minister at Times of Refreshing Community Congregational Church, pastored by Reverend Steve Hollins, part of the Four Square Church District.

At Northend COGIC, Detroit, MI, we were welcomed by Elder Willie Toone and Missionary Roberta Toone and their congregants.  The church’s worship was vibrant and the Team was impacted by the keynote of the sermon delivered by Elder Toone: we’re better together.
For our ministry, we began with an abbreviated acapella rendition of Break Every Chain, to set the tone.  This was followed by God Manifest and Habitation.

First Lady Missionary Roberta Toone invited us to return.  Mr. Service, who had orchestrated our reception at Northend COGIC, was very impressed with the Team’s focus, our deportment and our ministry.  The Team was pleased to be introduced to Evangelist Dr. Essie Moss, mother of singer J. Moss.

From there we travelled to Times of Refreshing Community Congregational Church, Lathrop Village, MI, pastored by Reverend Steve Hollins.  Rev. Steve Hollins and his congregation were very receptive to our ministry.  With more time for ministry here, we taught the congregation Habitation, in which they participated fully, standing and doing appropo actions.  We followed with Gospel of Christ and closed with We Are One in the Spirit.

The Team closed the week with invitations for when we next convene for ministry in Michigan:

• Grace Centers of Hope, a homeless shelter that is affiliated with a church, and

• Member churches of the FourSquare Heartland District of Michigan.

See previous ministry reports here