The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC) performed at HM Prison Barlinnie, one of Scotland’s largest prisons, located in Glasgow, for the first time on December 14, presenting an Advent-themed concert during the prison’s Sunday service. The choir participated at the invitation of the Church of Scotland Chaplaincy, organizers said.

The program included gospel songs and seasonal carols interspersed with Bible readings focused on the birth of Jesus. During the service, an inmate volunteered to accompany the choir on piano for two carols, organizers reported. The performance of “Amazing Grace” prompted an emotional response from some attendees, according to the chaplain.

At the close of the service, the chaplain read lyrics from “Life is a Blessing,” a song performed by the choir and arranged by GAGC musical director Samuel, which organizers said was inspired by a traditional Irish blessing. Prison Chaplain Rev. Jill Clancy thanked the choir for the visit, describing it as encouraging for those attending and noting that several inmates commented on the program’s impact.

Choir members said the Barlinnie visit concluded a year of community performances that included care homes, hospitals, charity events, and local celebrations.

They said, “Who would have thought, when we stepped out in faith at the start of the year, that God would provide such meaningful opportunities to share and serve!”

Local Seventh-day Adventist pastor Claudiu Popescu of the Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church, who established the partnership with the prison and coordinates the choir’s initiatives, said the outreach reflects the church’s aim to serve the surrounding community in visible ways. He described the prison ministry as an early step and said the Adventist Church intends to continue the journey.

The original article was published on the Scottish Mission of Seventh-day Adventists' news site.