Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 22 (EMN): Gospel musician and a world renowned instrumental guitarist, Dr. Benny Prasad and his wife Zanbeni Prasad mesmerised a capacity congregation with some popular Christmas songs at Assembly of God Lotha Church on Wednesday in Kohima.
The couple was performing during the event, "Song of Season," which is held under the theme, "The Joy of Celebrating Christmas," annually as a prelude to Christmas celebration at the church in Midland colony.
The duo did a cover version of Christmas treasured songs - "O Holy Night" in Lotha dialect as well as "Away in a Manger," in English before Benny played "Mary, Did You Know," a popular Christmas classic on his pen flute.
He also played, "You Raise Me Up," on his instrument while a scene of, "The Passion of the Christ," a 2004 epic biblical drama, was screened.
Speaking on the occasion, Benny said he was "thrilled and excited" to come and be able to perform in Nagaland on being invited by Areni Tungoe, a children's pastor from the Assembly of God Lotha Church.
He informed how they have been involved in counselling young college students who are lonely, lost, depressed or had suicidal issues and how they have been reaching out to people from different professions.
Benny reminded about Christ, who came into the world to save humankind from sins' while dwelling on the meaning of Christmas. 'Christmas and gospel are a need for everybody,' he said.
Considering the prevalent corruption, drug users, alcoholics etc. in the state, the instrumentalist queried whether Nagaland is living upto its slogan: "Nagaland For Christ''.
After testifying how he heard, 'an audible voice of Jesus,' while on the verge of committing suicide, he said, he moved on with his Christian life and since then never look back.
Benny also shared how he had traveled around the world and performed in many countries after he accepted Christ, reminding the believers that, "a Christian life is full of excitement."
During the eventful night, members from senior and junior choirs of the church also presented numerous songs lightening the spirit of Christmas.
Brief profile of Dr. Benny Prasad:
Dr. Benny Prasad holds the world record for being the fastest man to travel to 257 countries in a span of just six years. Benny and Zanbeni Prasad are Youth With A Mission (YWAM) missionaries and also run a cafè called 'Chai 3:16' in Bengaluru in Karnataka.
Benny had performed to audiences from the likes of president and parliaments to athletes and music lovers. He also gained fame by designing the world's first Bongo Guitar and a 54 String which he named it, 'The Bentar'.