TCP Magazine - Minister of Music

Attached is an appeal from Gilbert Mulamba (www.anointedmelody.com). The first viewing of this documentary will be Wednesday, November 15, at 6:45 p.m. at Raleigh International Church (www.richurch.org) located on Capital Boulevard next to Burlington Coat Factory. You certainly heard about Darfur, but come and see a far greater tragedy going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a 45-minute documentary, which also provides suggestions for ways to become active in helping those in needs.

The Street Children of Kinshasa

I am sending this email to announce to the Congolese communities and the International community that a new documentary entitled “The Street Children of Kinshasa” will be made available for viewing to conferences, fundraisers, prayer meetings, etc... upon request made to Anointed Melody in Raleigh NC.

This 45 minutes documentary is released solely as a tool to raise awareness about the jeopardized future of an entire generation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On a recent trip to Kinshasa, I was so touched by the daily plight of the children and disturbed by the proportions that this crisis has taken. If no action is planned or undertaken by the diaspora and the international communities, statistics show that DRC has the potential of becoming a nation with highest rate of uneducated citizens. You will see unbelievable current DRC statistics on issue that most news organizations do not pay attention to.

We all bear the responsibility for the future of this nation that has the potential to be a regional power. The most difficult situation in the DRC now is neither the economy, nor the political climate or the number of all the candidates aspiring to be in leadership position of the country. The war has certainly imposed a heavy human toll and women have endured unacceptable degrading and humiliating treatment from the militias, army and rebels factions. From our analysis, the most difficult position in which one could be in the DRC is just being a child.

This documentary will give the viewer a brief overview of the history of the vast land of Congo from the post-colonial era to the present day. We attempted to link the current situation of Congo to the horrid historical legacy left by Leopold II. We agree with a statement that some observers have made: it seems that we have not freed ourselves yet from our troubled history. The documentary features photographs and video images taken on my recent trip, images from several contributors, missionaries, and journalists currently in the DRC. Included are also more images from International organizations and several news agencies. We are thankful for the number of radio stations, organizations and independent journalists that have given special permissions for the use of their material to illustrate the climate in which the children of Congo live.

Our goal is to raise awareness and to motivate the viewer conscience about getting involved. So often, people surely know what is going on in the DRC. However, most of us do not realize the magnitude of the crisis and the consequences and ramifications of our passivity. A hundred years ago, Joseph Conrad was certainly not passive on what he witnessed in the Leopold II private property. The world community was shaken upon learning accounts that came from the Congo.

While the world focuses on Darfur, the elections in the DRC and other stories, there is another side to the DRC's debacle. This one is chiseling right at the seed of our nation. And it is a time bomb just waiting to explode. The world is watching us, the diaspora, to see how we are going to respond to our nation's crisis...When are we going to get involved? A website, Congochildren.org is currently under construction to steer the community towards practical ways to help the forgotten children of the DRC.

Call to arrange a time for viewing of this touching documentary at your event. Contact info: gilbert@anointedmelody.com. Leave a voice mail by calling (919) 231-1907

Gilbert Mulamba is an artist who enjoys playing gentle and uplifting melodies on the piano. He learned to play the piano at the age of 9 as his father bought one from a retired American Missionary in his native Congo. He has played and recorded on a number of other artists’ albums and “Trustin’ Him” is his first release.

Gilbert learned to play guitar on a homemade guitar with strings from motorcycle and bicycle brake cables. When building one of his guitars, he once had a 4-inch nail perforate his right knee, but caused no damage. He would sometimes walk for miles to where he could learn to use a Casio electronic keyboard. When he joined a band made of employees of the American embassy, he saved enough money after two years of gigs to buy his first keyboard workstation. He went on to release a limited number of the first Christian instrumental music tape in Congo, which was even played in bars and pubs.

Gilbert gave his life to The Lord as a teenager, and has consistently been part of the music ministry at various churches. He was a pianist at the largest church in Central Africa. He was labeled the “Worship Musician” because of his playing style and his heart to create a worship environment with his music expressions.

“Trustin’ Him” is the first of the Worship Expressions series. Gilbert’s desire was to blend rhythms, sounds and melodies from different cultures to foster a worship experience that moves across natural boundaries for the Adoration of The Most High. The arrangements incorporate the sounds of Urban Contemporary, Jazz, African, Latin, Oriental, Classical and Caribbean music. This instrumental recording is truly unique because of the simplicity and beauty of the melodies and harmonies that will touch the heart and soul. It will appeal to all smooth Jazz, Instrumental and Worship music listeners as well. A stellar group of musicians and vocalist expressed themselves passionately in this recording that is going to be a sure hit.

Gilbert has a prophetic call through the music he produces. Ultimately, this CD was recorded for those seeking to have a worshipful and comforting environment. Each of the 11 tracks will intimately minister to you as you listen to this amazing CD. The artist has established a recording label in the Raleigh area (Anointed Melody), with the purpose to bless, encourage, and build up the Body of Christ through fresh, passionate and relevant music or movie projects.

Gilbert holds a Master’s degree in Biology from West Chester University, and worked for seven years as a Research scientist with Harvard Medical School in Boston. He resides in Raleigh, NC with his wife Sylvia and their two children Jessye and Jeremy. He serves as the worship musician and keyboardist at Raleigh International Church under the leadership of Pastor Olden Thornton.