“It’s a beautiful thing when we all come together and we all share the same goal.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Prosper and GPM are holding a concert to celebrate their 10th anniversary of music ministry. The “Synergy” concert, coming up on May 14 at Carleton University, also includes two-time Grammy nominee Fresh I.E., as well as Jermain Cowan and Berenice Dauphin.

“This is going to be a high energy production,” says Prosper. “This is our 10th year of ministry, so we’re celebrating with a live DVD recording of the 10 best songs we’ve recorded. We will also have some new songs as well.”

True to its name, Synergy is about much more than music. Prosper says the group wants to reach out and help build a stronger community.

“We recently got involved with Ottawa Innercity Ministries because we saw the needs,” he says. “The people who serve there are true examples of missionaries, right in our home town. There are a lot of youth on the streets. We wanted to develop something new that would cater to them.”

One way the concert reaches out is by partnering with Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM) to help brand the ministry to young people and recruit more volunteers. Before the show, several young adults from different churches will share a brief message about OIM’s work.

“OIM’s ministry is a great opportunity for us to unite.”

“They’ll be talking about why it is important that we serve our community and what areas Ottawa Innercity Ministry really needs help. It’s a beautiful thing when we all come together from different ages, denominations, and we all share the same goal. We are strengthened together to do more as a community. That’s what creates synergy.”

One of the young people speaking at the concert is Chris Richardson, leader of the Desire Christ Movement—a ministry involving young people from more than 10 local churches. Richardson says by serving your community you display Christ’s love and you get to watch God at work all around you.

“You’re showing other young people that you care by taking the time out of your schedule to build relationships and encourage them,” Richardson states. “OIM’s ministry is a great opportunity for us to unite. Being a part of OIM will take you out of your comfort zone and open your eyes to what real ministry entails, outside of the church walls.”

Prosper says in the seven months since he connected with OIM he has been amazed at the volunteers’ love, generosity, and commitment to serve.

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“The experiences I’ve had, pretty much on every occasion, the staff at OIM really have genuine love for people and I think it’s a good example for all of us,” Prosper says. “We’ve experienced going out in the community with them. We’ve experienced drop-ins and what they do hands on. It’s truly effective.”

Synergy, Prosper says, is all about having a great time and networking with others who want to serve and strengthen the community.

“Our ministry has always been about leaving the church walls and going out after the community with our music. After meeting with OIM, we thought that if we are a tool they can use to help reach a younger crowd of volunteers to build a stronger future, we want to do that. When we combine the tools of music, their message, and what they’re doing, there is Synergy and it’s a strong impact.”