Shekinah Glory Ministry’s new concert film a big hit

Already a platinum-selling praise and worship ensemble, the Chicago-based Shekinah Glory Ministry ensemble has produced another hit with its new concert film,  Refreshed By Fire, which was released on Kingdom Records.

Filmmaker Joel Kapity recorded the elaborate concert before a crowd of 3,000 at Shekinah Glory Ministry’s Chicago area home church, Valley Kingdom Ministries International.

Using pomp and circumstance, the video showcases emotion-packed singing from a variety of virtuoso vocalists covering rock-edged music and dance rhythms to quiet melodies, dramatic stage lighting, colorful banners and the synchronized praise dancing that have made the ensemble a favorite for the last decade.

One particular highlight is a nearly 15-minute The Minstrel’s Release segment that showcases a lone dancer depicting a story of a biblical battle through her gestures as  guitar strings illuminate the tale and a graphic artist paints a picture of the victor on the spot that is revealed at the end of the suite to rousing applause from the congregation.

The DVD is rounded out with behind-the-scenes footage and commentary on the ensemble’s evolution that helps explain what has led to Shekinah Glory Ministry’s Top Ten hits such as Praise Is What I Do and Yes.

Even more so, it explains how a ministry that never set out to become famous has racked up more gold and platinum — two RIAA gold albums, two gold DVDs and one platinum DVD — than any other black gospel choir in music history. 

In explaining Shekinah Glory Ministry’s success, H. Daniel Wilson, the group’s leader, said in a statement, “We put worship on wax and God just blew on it.”