Dunamis Army organizing encounter worship night

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

A young group of Ottawa evangelists have organized “The Big Worship Concert” to stoke the faith of believers and invite non-Christians to experience God’s love.

“This event is for Christians and non-Christians alike,” explains Israel Gimba, the group’s founder. “Worship has a beautiful ability of communicating God’s undying love to the unsaved, while simultaneously reaffirming the faith of the saved.”

The group, called Dunamis Army, has brought together nine worship leaders from Ottawa and the U.K. for the June 22 event. However, Gimba says the night will involve more than just music and singing.

“There will be an exciting storyline threaded throughout the Worship night, telling the story of the Father’s love and pursuit of His sons and daughters, ending in an opportunity for people to respond.”

While a worship event differs from Dunamis Army’s focus on weekly evangelistic outreaches and discipleship work, Gimba says the vision is the same.

“Worship that is done in spirit and in truth has tremendous power to restore hope, strengthen, and bring miraculous healing. We also pray and hope that through this process the lost will be saved.”

“I believe that it is our call, to go out and share the gospel.”

“We have been planning [The Big Worship Concert] for months now,” says Nora Torres. “We want everyone to bring their friends and family and come with expectation that God will do something amazing in their lives.”

Torres has been with Dunamis Army since it started, in 2015. Today she leads one of the team’s cell groups and helps new recruits get comfortable sharing their faith downtown.

“It can be daunting.” She says the hardest part is “meeting people on the streets and getting rejection from a few when we share the gospel, but it is a learning experience. We just move on, that’s all. I believe that it is our call, as Christians, to go out and share the gospel.”

Although some people are not open, the team has seen some amazing examples of God transforming lives. Early this spring they were contacted by a 24-year-old man who was struggling with several addictions, depression, and suicide.

“He was on the brink of committing suicide, heard about the work we do, and reached out to us for help,” Gimba states. “I sat with him, prayed, and went through a few of his principles and beliefs. After we carefully worked through this, a miracle happened.”

“If you are a believer you will leave this event ignited and on fire for God.”

Within 48 hours, Gimba says, the man was completely set free from his addictions—which he had struggled with for years. Today his life has been transformed and he is on fire for God.

The group’s prayer is to see similar transformation at The Big Worship Concert.

“If you are a believer you will leave this event ignited and on fire for God, desiring to get closer to Him,” Torres says. “If this is your first time to a worship concert, then we want you to encounter the God of all creation, the one who created you for a purpose, the one who has beautiful plans for you.”

The Big Worship Concert will be held June 22, at the Bronson Centre, starting at 7:30. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door.