Eusi Harlequin, Desmon Thompson, Oliver Joslyn (OJ) Smith, Edwin Moore, Timon Fraser and Denzel Bagot are the members of the Messengers Music Ministries, an acapella group that has been gracing stages not only in Guyana but internationally as well.
Messengers Music Ministries sings mostly gospel but has in the past done different genres. It was declared ‘Best Small Group’ at the National Choral Festival in 2013 and notably performed at President David Granger’s inauguration.
Formerly called just the Messengers, when the group was started some 15 years ago, the members decided to add Music Ministries, when they began doing charitable works around 2009. They also decided to call themselves an organization, rather than a group.
When they sat down with The Scene for an interview, the young men gave a more than welcome sample of the harmonizing they do on stage that has made them much sought after for concerts and other events, belting out “This is Guyana,” “Stand By Me” and “Until Then.”
Eusi is one of the oldest members of Messengers Music Ministries, while Desmon, OJ and Edwin joined in 2009 and Timon and Denzel later on.
“We [Eusi and a former member] went scouting for other members,” said Eusi, after others had left. Having heard OJ, Desmon and Edwin sing, they approached them to join.
It was just after this that the guys agreed that the Messengers which was once focused on just singing, needed to do more. They planned to have an outreach where they could cater for the less fortunate. Every third Sunday they take time out to visit either the Palms Geriatric Home, Micah’s Children Home, Uncle Eddie’s or Millicent Greaves Senior Citizens Home where they feed and sing for the folks there and also do some cleaning.
The Messengers Music Ministries meets at least three times a week for practice and each session lasts about two hours.
According to Desmond, “We practice to keep our form intact and improve our craft.” He also shared an incident they experienced while in Grenada, something they still reflect on every now and then. “We arrived in Grenada on Friday; the day before we were scheduled to perform. Because of the climate change one person was complaining about their throat. By Sabbath morning two others were complaining also and later that afternoon just before the concert was about to start, everybody was hoarse. We performed for two hours. We got very good reviews after the concert. How we did it? Only God knows. It was amazing how God worked out for us.” Although their musical harmony is impeccable, the guys are faced with their own challenges, coming from different backgrounds and having commitments such as family, church and work; two of them are married. However, they seem to get along just fine, throwing jokes at each other during the interview. When time permits, apart from practicing, they enjoy watching sports and going to the movies.
Some of their inspirations are Take 6, Vocal Union, Boyz 2 Men and the Temptations.
“We hope to someday own our own record studio producing gospel music and promoting other gospel artistes,” said OJ.
“Every year we have at least one music event where we collaborate with other choirs and singers. We try to expose other talents. The annual event is taken to different parts of Guyana. [We have] touched all three counties of Guyana including regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. This year we’re hoping to touch Lethem,” Desmon said.
They would have in the past performed at fund-raisers for charitable organizations such as the Guyana Red Cross Society and the Salvation Army. They have also been featured at concerts around Guyana and in other countries like French Guiana and Suriname. They also performed at Carifesta, GuyExpo and the Cultural Day at Mash events.
OJ said, they’re planning on making a few originals and bringing out their own album and are seeking sponsorship.
Speaking of the impact Messengers Music Ministries has had on his life, OJ shared: “I’ve been able to travel places. Being with young men like myself, I’m able to share with them. They’re an impact on my life. We’ve always encouraged each other to develop ourselves. I have benefited vocally, spiritually and also physically since we work out also.”
“Socially it helped me to become a more focused individual. Being one of the two members who are married, I have to be careful how I conduct myself and set an example for the others. It has also helped me spiritually because being a part of the ministry you’ve got to know God’s word. I was always an introvert. I only spoke to persons I knew but having joined the group I was able to come out of that,” Desmon said.
“It has helped me to take the work of the ministry more seriously and to rely on God more as a source of strength. Being the youngest in the group, I am exposed to a wealth of experience socially. It’s a brotherhood where I can learn how to be a man and where I can share my trials and learn from that of the other members,” Denzel added
Messengers Music Ministries has an upcoming programme starting in May under the theme ‘Hidden Blessings in the Storms of Life’ which is slated for the Olivet Seventh Day Adventist Church. The programme will be taken to different parts of Guyana and is expected to run until December.
