BELIEVE IT OR NOT: In Belgrade there is a real gospel church, and here is what we found there! (PHOTO) (VIDEO)

The hall without a lot of religious symbols is filled with believers among whom there are the Serbs, the British, the Nigerians, the Americans, people from Kenya, Congo, Angola, Ghana, Macedonia, Ivory Coast...

Everything looks really amazing. For a moment, as if we were at concert, not in a church. Songs, as we had the opportunity to hear and see only in films that portray southern parts of America, alternate one after another ... Who would say that we are in the midst of New Belgrade?

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Shortening the way through an otherwise ordinary Serbian market in New Belgrade, at fast pace we went on the first Sunday afternoon of the month to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the most famous African church in the capital.

The day, of course, was not randomly selected. We went to the service for Thanksgiving. We expected a magnificent building, however, there was no sign of it ...

After a short wandering, we asked one of the peasants who, although it was nearly three in the afternoon, was persistently standing at the counter with potatoes, some onion and cabbage, to help us.

– Ah, you need that church! There is no person from this neighborhood who does not know it – replied the peasant, waving her hand and showing us the entrance that we would almost certainly whizzed past, thinking that it was the entrance to one of the market shops. Above the tall white door there is a written sign: "God loves you so much" ... we are on the right place!

It is Sunday, it is three o'clock in the afternoon ... The service is in progress.

The hall without a lot of religious symbols is filled with believers among whom there are the Serbs, the British, the Nigerians, the Americans, people from Kenya, Congo, Angola, Ghana, Macedonia, Ivory Coast ...

We are looking for some of the famous football players we were told we would see. It seems today that they have skipped the service.

From a middle-aged woman from Belgrade which has settled in the first row we have found out that he came here out of curiosity. Shortly, she has fallen in love with the atmosphere, positive energy, the music, which is reminiscent of one of her favorite Spielberg movie "The Color Purple". She added, "It heals my soul."

Right next to us several students from Nigeria have settled. Without hesitation, as if they know us the whole life, they say they look forward to each new service. It reminds them of home.

For a moment we stop chatting as we are singing with Pastor Segun Osunsakin David, who arrived in our nation's capital from Nigeria with his wife and three children five years ago.

On the big screen in front of us the Serbian-English combination of verses that celebrate Jesus changes. The atmosphere is "gaining momentum". Drawn by the sound of guitars and drums of the church band the believers are raised up off the seats, swinging their hips, stretching their arms to the heavens, and singing in a voice like real professionals.

Everything does seem really amazing. For a moment, as if we were at a concert, not in a church.

Songs, as we had the opportunity to hear and see only in films that portray southern parts of America, alternate one after another.

And then follows the pastor’s spiritual appeal to the believers - direct, honest, dynamic, without hesitation and condemnation ... We are delighted by such openness, which other religions don’t have. We are delighted by the practical tips applicable in everyday life ... Although the service lasted for two hours, it seemed like it was all over in a flash. We were waiting for the last seat to be emptied so that we could share a few words with the pastor.

Cheerful and not like the person who has just finished (at least at first glance) pretty exhausting several hours of sermon, Nigerian Segun Osunsakin David inspires us with the statement that he decided to remain forever in Serbia.

- I toured the world and believe me I have nowhere met more cordial and friendlier people than the Serbs! You are even musical as we are. They say you are stubborn? Well, we Nigerians, we are even more stubborn than you! They say you drive crazy? We are even worse! We honk around town so sometimes I forget and here start to honk in the rhythm of the music ... When I do that, my wife reminds me to prevent a mess - he explains with a general laugh adding that and traditions and love towards family connect us.

– Here, as in Nigeria you can still see a father with his children. There are less such things in the world. As for the life, I must admit that in the beginning it was a bit difficult to get used to the food, and then we went "crazy" for ham, cabbage rolls, kebabs, bakery – the pastor is honest. I didn't try rakija, he says, because my religion forbids alcohol consumption. He admits that he does not understand our hits that go along with this kind of drink. At least the text ... he likes the melody, however, that he hears from the street musicians while walking down Knez Mihailova.

–What bothers me here is that some people see us as a sect. We believe in the Bible (Old and New Testament), and the Holy Spirit. In that Christ came to give us joy and hope! That's why we sing praying to him ... That's why we celebrate both Christmases. We look forward to the birth of Christ wherever anyone think that he was born – whether on 25 December or on 7 January! In his name this year we distributed gifts to more than 200 families. The hungry and the poor who came to us we helped with money, food, clothing – tells the pastor adding that perhaps the biggest difference between Orthodoxy and this church is – rigorous fasting.

- In Africa we fast by not eating three days at all. I've fasted seven days even without water. But that's another story ... We never encourage people who have health problems to go that far - says Segun.

Redeemed Christian Church of God was registered as a Christian humanitarian organization. Segun would like to see some things in the law urgently changed, that the authority allows them to open a school for English language, shelter for the hungry and the poor and not to have to live solely on donations from Nigeria.

- Our motto is that when you give then you get! - Osunsakin walks us to the exit providing us with brochures and a book he wrote.

– I'd like to see you again. Next time maybe in a church that we will establish on Boulevard of Mihajlo Pupin.

Outside it is still raining, and that peasant is still standing at her counter...

(Katarina Vuković/ Photo: Marko Todorović)