The Experience 18 Begins Today

Good morning, esteemed members of the press, distinguished gospel artistes, and our honoured guests from around the globe. It is my distinct honour to extend a warm welcome to each one of you on behalf of the beautiful city of Lagos, the wonderful nation of Nigeria and the amazing continent of Africa. Welcome to the 2023 edition of The Experience.

As we stand on the verge of this significant milestone, I am reminded that every profound journey commences with a single step. Today, we find ourselves taking that step once again, entering the heart of the 18^th iteration of The Experience—a journey defined by faith, unity, collaboration, and transformative moments. The success of this journey can only be attributed to the power of The Almighty, who began and sustains what is now globally acclaimed as the biggest gathering of gospel music enthusiasts on the face of the earth.

The theme for this year, “Jesus Our Way Maker,” has deep significance viewed against the backdrop of a very tumultuous and challenging year marked by severe socio-economic hardship and insecurity in the nation Nigeria. The Experience, in more ways than one, symbolizes a beacon of hope piercing the darkness of pervasive hopelessness and feelings of desolation. We know that as our praises rise as an offering to THE ONLY ONE who can turn things around for us, His blessings will distil in divine intervention alighting like the morning dew upon us, our nation, and our shared future.

Beyond being a concert, The Experience has matured (18 being the universal age of adulthood) into a counterculture that aspires to bring Heaven down to Earth within the reach of humanity as we navigate the intricate interplay of (the) faith and culture shaping our interactions and developmental initiatives in our shared journey to great nationhood.

The time has come for the body of Christ to intentionally nurture an unrelenting commitment to the common good through persuasive media including music and film. Our local culture, adorned with excellence, holds transformative potential, seamlessly intertwining with the global cultural fabric into the balance and harmony of a kaleidoscope. In doing so, we become architects of hope and engineers of inspiration on a global scale.

Our duty extends beyond addressing symptoms; it is to transform the very cultural soil from which our narratives stem. This necessitates a collective narrative where integrity and ethical conduct prevail, yielding a harvest of prosperity for our nation.

As we gather at The Tafawa Balewa Square tonight to honour the King of glory, serenading Him in the throng will be some of the most anointed, the finest, and the best gospel artistes on the planet, including Travis Greene, Naomi Raine, Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach, Dunsin Oyekan, Donnie McClurkin, William McDowell, Ada Ehi, Tim Godfrey, Onos Ariyo, Prinx Emmanuel, Moses Bliss, Adeyinka Alaseyori, Mr M & Revelation, Tope Alabi, Timi Dakolo, The Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir accompanied by the Rock Cathedral Gospel Choir, and more. Let us embark on a collective journey that is not merely a night of exhilarating praise and worship but a catalyst for a purposeful cultural shift.

Together, let’s forge a path where Nigeria stands as a beacon of positive change instigating a cultural metamorphosis guided by faith, unity, and the unwavering belief that when praises ascend, the purpose, plans and power of God graciously descend with His abundant blessing.

May this 18th edition of The Experience be a refreshing encounter for all in His divine presence. Thank you.

Pastor Paul Adefarasin

December 8, 2023