Frank Lyn the musical street preacher
Dumisani Ncube | Friday August 21, 2015 18:00
He is well known for serenading crowds with gospel tunes around the streets of Gaborone, he has warmed his way into the hearts of many with his melodic voice.
“I am known as a musician, but I do not call myself one. I am a musical preacher who was sent by God to spread the gospel and that is my main purpose,” said the 38-year-old, who comes from a musical Christian family.
He has been preaching around the country for the last five years through music.
Prior to his calling by God to preach Lyn was a secular musician who sang RnB and Soul. At a young age he was part of a Zimbabwean RnB group called Soul Eternal that once shared the stage with Soul for Real in 1998 in Zimbabwe.
While doing secular music Lyn imitated international musicians such as R Kelly till he was dubbed the R Kelly of Botswana.
“I remember one newspaper wrote a story about me with a headline ‘The R Kelly of Botswana’. “Around 2010 after working on a number of secular music projects God spoke to me through a dream and told me to spread His word. In the dream I saw myself singing at the Main Mall.
After that calling I decided to start my journey as a musical preacher performing around town,” he said. When Lyn started his spiritual journey singing at the Main Mall’s open area a number of people used to think he had lost his mind, but later they got used to him.
As a former secular singer, Frank Lyn’s gospel tracks have an urban twist to them.
“In my musical gospel sessions I touch on different issues such as spiritual comfort, worship, gratitude to God, encouragement and testimonials. My audience is not only for Christians, its for everyone be it Muslims, Hindus and Atheists.”
On his street ministries he performs live music with only a speaker, which produces sound while he unleashes his vocals. Next to him is a box with his CDs, which he sells.
After performing on the streets since 2010 Lyn states that a number of people have approached him confessing that his music has touched them and they have received his message.
“I have also been approached by investors who have told me that they can help me start a commercial music career, but I have turned them down because I am not doing this for money. I was sent by God,” he explained.
In an observation done by Arts & Culture a number of people have approached Lyn during his performances just to talk, while others purchase his CDs. He writes his own music and sometimes rearranges church hymns. He is currently working on a new album.
Lyn, who is a graphic designer by profession, records his music at his office.
Just next to his office desk there is a keyboard and a condenser microphone hanging.
Next to the keyboard is two computers a bunch of CDs
“I record my vocals here and take them to another studio for mixing with the beat. I also design and print my own CDs,” he said.
As part of his musical ministry work he is embarking on a nation wide tour in 16 towns, and 27 villages, where he will be singing and giving motivational talks in kgotlas, hospitals, schools and streets.
Through his company he has published a motivational audio magazine called Living Life Magazine.