MIC otherwise known as Men In Christ is a band from Natal, South Africa, comprising youthful Christians namely Stephen Rothquel, Peter Stainbank and Theran Knighton-Fitt, whose approach towards spreading the message of Jesus Christ is not orthodox at all. For starters, their concerts are mostly attended by hippie youths wearing their caps to the back, baggy pants and t-shirts bearing expensive American labels. When one attends their show for the first time, he or she must be forgiven for thinking that it is a secular show. However, if one strains his or her ears, he or she would definitely hear inspirational, Christian messages in the lyrics of their songs. Again one would also realise that the youthful revellers are not huffing and puffing under the influence of any drugs and alcohol.
Showtime attended the Legae Academy show and asked one of the organisers Peter Bell, an elder in the host church, Church For All Nations (CFAN) why the MIC shows appear secular to the undiscerning.
"MIC wants to show young people that the Bible is still relevant today as it was 2 000 years ago. People should know that society moves on and it's important that you communicate in a relevant way," Bell explains.
Bell further explains that many young people have deserted the church because they find it boring and have therefore been swallowed up by secular entertainment since they do not know that they could still have fun in the church.
As Bell continues to chat to Showtime, MIC bursts into a lively hip-hop song and the young ones strut their stuff pointing fingers in the air and dancing like African-Americans at a street-bash.
The young revellers scream and prance about on stage and respond to the performers as they shout, "We are Christian guys. Our greatest influence is God."
The quality of the sound and lighting system is out of this world and the performance is professional, as MIC promised in their press release. Although the hall is not overflowing, the artists seem least bothered by that and put on a very professional performance. One has to reluctantly accept that the show outclasses most of our local ones in many ways.
Bells say that although MIC's approach is not your everyday Christian approach, the group does not compromise the gospel of Christ. Wherever the group performs, the members point out to young people that Jesus Christ is the solution to all problems.
Band member Rothquel says that even though the team is made up of born-again Christians, it does not go about preaching 'hell-fire' messages.
"We want people to choose to follow Christ without being threatened by any Bible-bashing," he says.
Young 'hoppers' from Church For All Nations, Tsholofelo Etlhabanye and Naledi Moloi, who are too excited to grant a full interview, coo in unison, "The show is rocking!"
MIC, who have extensively toured South Africa, Europe and Australia, perform songs from their latest album SnapShot, which recently won South African Music Award (SAMA) for the 'Best Pop/ Rock Gospel Album'. The album has three hit songs like Brand New Day, Sake of Love, and Get Up, which send the young revellers into a frenzy.
MIC's music has influence from different genres like Hip Hop, R 'n B and Alternative Rock and a dash of Jazz.
Unlike other groups who would cater for all age groups in order to make more money, MIC targeted only secondary school students in their latest Botswana tour. According to Bell, the reason for that was that they have realised that secondary school students are the most vulnerable people as they go through a lot of transformations in their lives and if they do not get proper guidance, they might make wrong choices with disastrous consequences.
"One of MIC's missions is to create a positive environment for students and show them the right way to a better future. We also want to instil the spirit of professionalism and excellence in their young lives," the elder said.
MIC's Botswana tour covered secondary schools like St Joseph's College, Kolobeng Livingstone College, Legae Academy and Gaborone Secondary School.
