By Carolyn Krause

Twelve singers and drummers with the Presbyterian Choir of the Congo will perform spiritual music and tell inspiring stories at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at First Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge Turnpike at Lafayette Drive. The public is invited.

The African men and women are presenting a number of concerts during their two-month tour of the eastern half of the United States. In mid-June they gave their first U.S. performance at the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Birmingham, Ala.

The 2006 Congo Choir tour is a joint effort of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The tour?s purpose is to inspire a more hopeful view of this pivotal nation in Central Africa and encourage the U.S. to provide more financial aid to Congo, nurture its self-sufficiency and promote the health, education and well being of its impoverished, long-suffering people.

Since 1998 nearly 4 million people in Congo have died of treatable illnesses, starvation and conflict. Sadly, about 1250 people are still dying daily in Congo, largely as a result of malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and starvation.

The good news is that a peace deal has been signed and United Nations peacekeeping troops are helping reduce the number of violent attacks by antigovernment rebels, who continue to rape women and burn houses. On Sunday, July 30, Congo will hold its second free democratic election in 45 years.

According to the choir?s leader:The selection of songs and stories shared are meant to show how Christ, through his people, is working to bring goodness to our lives. Christ has worked and is working in each of our societies. Many parallels exist between American and Congolese Christian beliefs, struggles, victories, sorrows and joys. The program will highlight our unity in Christ.

A free-will offering will be collected during the concert to help restore the basic survival network in Congo. Money is needed to provide food and nutrition information and support the country?s health services, education, infrastructure and development to bring permanent self-sufficiency and peace.

Choir on U.S. tour