By Gabriella Chapman

IT is no argument that most music groups/bands come to an inevitable split a few years down the line, as they experience issues ranging from personality clashes to matrimonial ties. Gospel groups are no exception, as the internet would make available an exorbitant list of groups who started off as gospel groups/bands and splintered off into individual secular singers or even branched off completely from a singing career.

But speaking of “dynamic”, Guyanese gospel group, Dynamic Force, has definitely outlived the life expectancy of groups, and is probably one of the longest standing gospel groups in Guyana. They have been in existence since 1994, and to date, 24 years later, are still a “Dynamic Force”.

COINCIDENTAL CONCEPTION
The story of how this Christian group was birthed, is quite peculiar, but marvellous. One lone man, Gavin Ralph, a member of the Moriah Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church was tasked with singing a morning special item of music but didn’t want to do it alone. So Gavin invited three of his other friends, Curtis Lewis, Osmond Patterson and Marvin Patterson, to accompany him in singing the song “Oh what a wonderful day”.

The group sounded so magnificent that they were called upon several times to bless the hearts of people in their church. The group even recorded and released their acapella rendition of “Oh what a wonderful day”. They then decided that they should officially become a group. This was in 1994. At that time, the group consisted of four members, so they called themselves the Dynamic Four.

They started off doing covers and then as a group, they recorded an album titled Liberation and it was published in 2000.

GROWING POPULARITY
After performing across the country and networking with other singers, the number of members increased, so they renamed themselves, The Dynamic Force. Up until 2001, the group was a true representation of their name throughout Guyana, performing at various churches and partnering with several companies to do outreaches and projects.

One of the impacts that the group recalls was quite a number of years back when former President Bharrat Jagdeo was invited to their church to speak and their pastor asked him what he knows about Adventism and he responded, “Truth is, I don’t know much, other than the Dynamic Force,” Adding that the group transcends religion, culture and politics.
The Dynamic Force was even evoked as one of the late Desmond Hoyte’s favourite groups and was called upon, several times to sing for him.

In 2001, five of the members migrated to the US. This may have been deemed by many, as disastrous to the future of the group, but in all actuality, it resulted in quite the opposite, as they worked out a strategy that would preserve the life of the Dynamic Force in Guyana. The five that migrated remained a group in the US, and the remaining members continued the group in Guyana and recruited new members.

So now, there is Dynamic Force US and Dynamic Force Guyana, each with a membership of five.

One member told this newspaper that, “What started out as something that we thought was insignificant, has actually grown exponentially over the years and we realised that the ministry of the group was so important, it got bigger than any group of people and any one individual and that is why we have two groups, one in the US and one in Guyana.”

Another member related that they’ve had challenges over the years where a few members were replaced, but the group persisted despite the challenges and remained committed and consistent with their ministry.

They have had the opportunity to perform at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and at the General Conference in St Louis, amongst many other prestigious places and events.

Two of the founding members told this newspaper that on many occasions, persons would have told them they touched their lives through their singing ministry. And they have even influenced people of the world to turn their lives to Christ.

LONG OVERDUE REUNION
The group is now of the belief that a reunion in their home country is long overdue. As such, they have planned and organised their first reunion celebration concert, slated for October 20 at the National Cultural Centre.

The members in the US, who are the original Dynamic Force, are returning to Guyana to host a concert along with the Guyana chapter.

This concert is said to be a once in a lifetime experience as it will bring the Dynamic Force together so that the audience will receive the full impact of the ‘Force’.

The show begins at 20:00hrs sharp and features other Christian musicians such as Roy Stuart, Osie Nedd, Omari Austin, Messengers, Circle of Love, Nickella Moses, Curtela Lewis, and Angela Montfort, just to name a few.

It will be an evening of worship, praises and celebration, and there will be comical entertainment from famous actor “Rufus”.

The Dynamic Force brings a Dynamic Force to Guyana to impact lives.