Celebrity couple Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe to guest host, Shawn McLemore to appear
“Christmas Experience 2019” promises to be another spiritually uplifting presentation by Victory Bible Church. The program is set for Sunday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m., at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center, 188 Campus Drive in Arcadia.
With the theme of “The Gift of Hope Through Music,” the annual concert aims to captivate attendees with holiday performances as well as motivate the audience to support the VBC scholarship fund. Also, actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe will emcee the event and gospel recording artist Shawn McLemore will appear with a 100-voice community choir.
In addition, a professional choral ensemble will perform under the leadership of Bishop Milton White, Sr., senior pastor, and the Rev. Jonathan DeCuir, executive pastor, as well as youth musicians from Arcadia High School.
Energized about the concert, DeCuir said, “The music will be very impactful. We will do several different selections including gospel arrangements and songs that have a Broadway Christmas feel to it. We are very excited about the music and believe it will an incredible worship experience for everyone.”
The fundraising aspect of the event is also inspiring, DeCuir noted. “We believe in using our influence and our music to help people. What makes this concert different is that our scholarship fund will help kids to go to college,” he said.
Proceeds from the 2019 Christmas Experience will benefit the VBC Scholarship Fund, which awards grants to college-bound students and promotes youth programs that support arts and self-development. Over the past five years, VBC has distributed more than $31,000 in scholarships to over 30 graduating seniors, who went on to enroll in institutions such as Morehouse College, Alabama A & M University, Texas Southern University, Loyola Marymount University, CSU- Northridge and Pasadena City College.
The VBC Scholarship Fund also helps fund programs for school-age students to develop leadership skills including public speaking, and performing arts classes for creative expression.
As for the concert’s guests, DeCuir recognized Kodjoe as an acclaimed producer, director and actor, who currently stars in ABC’s “Station 19.” His wife, Nicole, is well known for her roles in “Empire,” “Boogie Nights” and “Remember the Titans.” McLemore recently released his fourth album, “Any Minute Now, One Percent Miracle.”
“This year’s Christmas Experience will bring together the Pasadena, Monrovia and Arcadia communities through music in our biggest production yet,” remarked DeCuir. “Victory Bible Church plans to continue our rich tradition of supporting the arts, and purposeful giving, to remain a beacon of light and unity in the community during this Christmas season and beyond!”
Victory Bible Church is located at 1147 N. Hill Ave., in Pasadena. For concert tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit vbcpasadena.org.
