Helen Yawson

Helen Yawson (née Obadagbonyi, born 3 July 1967) is a contemporary gospel singer songwriter[1][2] and pastor based in Ghana.

Helen Yawson
Birth nameHelen Osagiede Obadagbonyi
Also known asPastor Helen Yawson
Born (1967-07-03) 3 July 1967
London, United Kingdom
GenresGospel, Urban contemporary gospel
Occupation(s)Singer, pastor
InstrumentsVocals
Years active(1998–present)
Associated actsNii Okai, KODA, Joe Beecham, Danny Nettey, "Daughters of Glorious Jesus", Eugene Zuta, Joe Mettle
Websitehelenyawsonlive.com

Personal life

Helen Yawson was born in London in 1967. At the age of five, she went to live in Lagos, Nigeria and returned to London at the age of 19. Her ability to sing was evident from an early age by her powerful and natural confidence in this area.

Shortly after returning to London in 1986, she joined the young Matthew Ashimolowo's Christian ministry where she responded to the challenge to 'get serious with God'. In 1988, Helen initially joined the Kingsway Foursquare Church Band; then in 1989, she joined the Church Choir as a lead Singer. For the next 7 years, her powerful and infectious style led the growing group in praise and worship style performances on several visits to Nigeria and Canada, as well as throughout the UK.[3]

Feeling that she was responding to a call to religious vocation, Yawson moved to Accra, Ghana in 2002 where she was ordained a Reverend Minister in the same year by Matthew Ashimolowo. Helen has served since her arrival in Ghana as The Head of the Music and Creative Division and is currently heads the KICC Winning Women Ministries. Helen Yawson is married to Andrew Yawson, and the couple have two daughters.[4]

Music career

Helen's presence and contribution to the choir and music ministry in Kingsway International Christian Centre, (KICC) came at a crucial time when the church was becoming the fastest growing assembly in the whole of the UK. Under the ministry of her Pastor and teacher, Matthew Ashimolowo, several hundreds of unbelievers came to know Christ. In 1997, Helen's talents were stretched further when she became Music Coordinator at KICC's North London satellite church, directing a group of eight talented singers and musicians, and assisting with the co-ordinating of KICC's main 100 strong Mass Choir.[5]

During this time, Helen also wrote and recorded her debut album, 'Blessed and Highly Favoured', which was released in January 1999. This album increased demand for Helen's inspirational and anointed music ministry around the UK. In the two years that followed, she was kept busy with appearances at several concerts and conferences around the United Kingdom. A year later, she was promoted to the position of Choir Director. She released her second album, 'Forever Grateful' in 2001.[6][7][8] In August 2012, she released her current album, My God and I.[1]

Since her coming to Ghana, she has organised and facilitated several music and vocal workshops, worship and lifestyle seminars. She also took part in several concerts and worship events in various parts of Ghana and with various Churches and Christian Organisations. In 2006, she released her single album 'Anyday'. She has also set up Voicemania, a company committed to raising competent and confident musicians as well as speakers to excel in their fields and be able to perform on both local and international platforms. Through this platform she organises the annual Worship Master Class[9] and The Voice Academy.

Helen Yawson is an encouragement to many as she has overcome inherent shyness and poor self-confidence to become the gem that she is today, with undeniable stage presence and a latent ability to touch lives. Her mentors are Helen Baylor, Shirley Caesar and Babbie Mason. She has over the years shared the stage with gospel greats, the likes of Andraé Crouch, Alvin Slaughter, Ron Kenoly, Jessy Dixon, Mary Mary and Daniel Winans. Helen Yawson's ministry is undoubtedly unique, marked as it is by the heart of a woman who is determined to lead the nations in true, unbridled worship to a God who so deeply desires it. Her desire is to continue to fuse her natural talent and her profound love for God to minister the gospel of Jesus-Christ to the unsaved, and to inspire believers to live victorious, praise-filled lives. It is her continuous desire to see men and women take their place as true worshippers of God.[10]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details
Blessed and Highly Favoured
  • Release year: 1997
Forever Grateful
  • Release year: 2011
Anyday
  • Release year: 2006
My God and I
  • Release year: 2012
JUST HYMNS
  • Release year: 2014

Major Singles
  • Only God
  • Anyday

Accomplishments
  • In 1988 she joined the Kingsway Four-Square Band and Singers
  • Became a member of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) Choir.
  • Performed in Nigeria and Canada with Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo as part of the Praise and Worship team.
  • Led vocally on the KICC Choir Albums – 1992 "Set me Free", 1993 "You're My Everything" and 1995 "Joy". Helen wrote songs for two of the three albums – "God is Always There" – Set Me Free and "I Will Never Leave You" – You're My Everything.
  • 1997 Helen became the Music Co-ordinator at KICC's Tottenham, North London, satellite church.
  • Between 1997 and 1998 she embarked on the writing and recording of her debut solo album. In January 1999 she released ' Blessed and Highly Favoured'.
  • Appointed as the Choir Director for the KICC Mass Choir in January 2000[11]
  • In 2001, she released her second album 'Forever Grateful'
  • Helen was the supporting Artiste for Mary Mary at the Queen's Jubilee Concert, KICC London (2002)
  • In 2002, she became the Music Director of KICC Ghana
  • Helen has shared the stage with other recognised gospel artists, such as Alvin Slaughter, Jessy Dixon, Ron Kenoly, Andrea Crouch and Daniel Winans.
  • She has performed at various conferences, concerts and festivals in Ghana and the UK, including the Cross Rhythms Roots and Branches Festival 'One Voice' held at Dudley Castle (UK), The International Gathering of Champions Conference (UK), the annual 24hr Praise and Worship Concert (Ghana), Receive the Worship Concert (Benin) and many more.[12]
  • In 2006, she released her Single Album, Anyday
  • In 2012, she released a Worship album, My God and I
  • In 2012, she also embarked on her first concert Helen Yawson Live in Concert, which resulted in a live DVD recording
  • In 2014, she released an album of Hymns, JUST HYMNS
  • In 2015, she released her first book on, More Than A Song
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References
  1. "About Us | Pastors". KICCGhana.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  2. Oyedoyin, Tunde (20 September 2002). "A gospel singer leaves for Ghana". NigeriaWorld.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  3. Kelvin Cline, Bernard (20 October 2013). Music, Motivation and Ministry with Helen Yawson (radio). BKC.name. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  4. "Daughters of Glorious Jesus Launch Back2Back Concert". The Chronicle. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  5. Klutse, John-Bunya (18 October 2014). "Helen Yawson Live in Concert". Everything Tech and Social. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  6. Idan Osam, Efua (5 March 2015). "Renowned gospel musicians light up Joe Beecham Ministries launch – citifmonline". Citi 97.3 fm. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  7. "Danny Nettey, Friends celebrate God's greatness". Ghana Motion. 27 December 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  8. Debrah, Ameyaw (4 June 2014). "Music Seminar: Bass Clinic V – The Journey to Mastery to hold in Accra, June 8". Ameyah Debrah. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  9. Praise, Kafui (5 April 2014). "Worship Master Class '2014". Wherevent. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  10. "Ghanaian Gospel Giants nominated for awards". Viasat 1. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015.
  11. "University Gospel Choir of the Year Ghana officially launched". GhanaWeb. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  12. "Helen Yawson: Blessed And Highly Favoured". Cross Rhythms. No. 53. 1 October 1999. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
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