Children’s choir takes the stage in Farmingdale
Churches typically conjure visions of crowds in business casual attire lining rows of pews, listening to sermons and exchanging handshakes of peace. But at New Life Assembly of God in Farmingdale, what goes on is anything but ordinary.
“If you’re not helping somebody, what’s the point of having a church?” asked Pastor Peter DiCroce, who has been New Life’s pastor for the last six years. “What’s the point of really existing if you’re not there to help somebody or to give?”
Supporting this belief, DiCroce leads New Life in its support of 18 missionaries around the world and secured events for Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28, that will breathe unprecedented life and sound into the church’s walls.
Watoto, a children’s choir made up of those who were orphaned by AIDS, poverty and war in Uganda, will take the “stage” at New Life to dance and sing original religious music from their album We Will Go. Since 1994, the choir, which changes its cast after each tour, has performed in countless churches, before world leaders and at myriad halls and schools around the globe spreading their good word and inspiring crowds with their stories of hope.
“We waited three years to get Watoto to come here,” explained DiCroce. “It’s exciting. We’re excited to have them.”
Between performances and before leaving for their next destination, the Watoto children and their chaperones will take residence at the homes of volunteers within the New Life community.
“I don’t take this lightly. We don’t [take this lightly] as a church,” DiCroce said. “[Volunteers are] people that I know of and they’re part of leadership or in ministry someway or have been for a long time.”
As part of New Life’s mission to serve others and extend a hand beyond the church walls, guests of the Watoto performances—which are open to the public, regardless of faith—will have the opportunity to offer a monetary donation. One hundred percent of those donations will be given directly to Watoto in support of their effort to raise awareness of Africa’s most vulnerable populations.
“We’re hoping to give them at least $5,000,” DiCroce explained. “That’s our heart as a church here. We just want to help reach out and help people. I believe the church goes beyond these four walls.”
DiCroce emphasized his love for mission work and detailed the many trips he’s taken to Africa. His most important word of advice is for young people to take a mission trip before they lose the opportunity to do so, as mission work is life-changing.
“That’s where you get blessed—when you start reaching out and touching the lives of people, making a difference in somebody’s life,” he said.
New Life Assembly of God is located at 816 Main St. in Farmingdale. Watoto will be performing Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 p.m. For questions, call 516-694-3883. To learn more about Watoto, visit www.watoto.com.
