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Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Boris Berdichevskiy Concert performer Jeevo

Media Credit: Boris Berdichevskiy Crowd warmer and singer Sherwin Gardener

The InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, with the help of World Vision, recently held a Live @ Baruch event to raise awareness of the crisis in Uganda. Hosting the event was the Fellowship's president, Prijo Thomas, with guests David Tyree and Tom Richter and performances by Jeevo, Jonathan Walton and Sherwin Gardener.

For the past two decades, two million people in northern Uganda have been dealing with the effects of war between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army. Due to its diminishing support, the LRA has resorted to abducting children and forcing them to become child soldiers.

Fortunately, in recent years, awareness of the crisis has grown considerably, with the help of media outlets and organizations working towards a peaceful resolution.

As able Christians, there is a need to serve those who are less fortunate. In the case of Uganda, there exists an opportunity to make an impact.

Sophia Babael Gaboury, a campus minister, explains, "We want to provide morally enriching experiences at Baruch in hope of inciting students to make a positive difference in the world."

The testimonies and performances during the event all expressed a common theme of gaining the strength to overcome hardship through hope and faith. And by doing so, counteracting negative influences from the people around you.

Spoken word artist, Jonathan Walton said, "We are people pebbles tossed into a pool, every ripple I create in turn ripples you. So in unison we are rippling, a type of ripple rhythm but we need to ripple in a way that benefits our living."

Towards the second half of the event, David Tyree, of the New York Giants, began to speak about his own story. He explained that on the outside, he seemed to have the perfect life. But in reality, there was a struggle with substance abuse and an idling state of mind.

After falling to an all-time low in his life, sitting in a prison cell, Tyree began to really feel the need for a change. "What seemed to be the lowest point in my life ended up being the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he said, standing, mic in hand.

Tyree attributes his material and substantial success to his faith as a born-again Christian. His down-to-earth vibe provided the necessary context to which he gave his testimony.

Tyree concluded by expressing the need to come to a certain realization of your self as an individual, only then can you help the larger picture.

Hallelujah. Amen.

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