The Church Seniors
Posted under: In 1987, the singing group that would later on be the longest running ministry in C.E.M.I. was born. The original members back then, led by the late Bro. Orland Calma and the late Sis. Leony Enriquez, were all deacons so they named themselves “Deacons’ Choir” but in about a year changed it to “Seniors’ choir” because they welcomed non-Deacon members. Their very first out of town performance was in La Union as they were the guest performers for the Christ’s Servants’ Concert. This ministry’s main objective was to spread God’s word through the beauty of music. Thus, they traveled to places like Pangasinan, La Union, Antipolo, Tarlac, Sorsogon, Pampanga to conduct song services and crusades.
In 2000, they were faced with some struggles and it looked like the ministry was going to fall apart. As Bro. Noel David said, they really had nothing at that point – they couldn’t even give copies of the songs to their members. But God served as the glue to keep them together and a new spiritual leader and adviser was appointed – Ptr. Gerry Garcia.
Throughout the years of serving the Lord through wonderful and meaningful music, almost all original members went back home to our Creator. That left the Seniors’ choir with not-so-seniors members. Plus, with their “no audition as long as you can carry a tune” standard, they were graced with a lot more members adding to their family. As they live their lives in serving Christ, they’re as close as ever and they are open for new recruits. The great thing is, they intend to keep doing this ‘til Christ comes.
My parents are part of the Seniors Choir and when I was a kid, I knew all the songs they were singing. I still do. I even knew how to sing the harmonies. I saw how happy they were when they had their regular practices on Saturdays at 3pm. Back then, it wasn’t Saturday for me if I didn’t hear them sing their songs for the Lord. When I was a kid, I swore I was going to be part of that choir when I get older. And I plan on holding on to that promise.