Gobi Martin was born a Muslim in Disrtict Six, Cape Town and has been a singer all his life, but not a composer all his life. He won singing talent competitions like Star of the Year and Mr Entertainer in Cape Town when he was in his prime singing cover versions. People of color were not allowed the privilege of securing music recording contracts so they created their own entertainment. He sang in nightclubs, live music shows like Golden City Dixies as well as theater shows traveling around the country. “Job reservation drew a line through ambition and talent, and your racial origins became the barometer of your hopes and those of your children.†(Dean EL King) He only started composing music after he gave his heart to the Lord and born again into the Body of Christ. This event took place at the age of 52 years. He had virtually given up singing as a full time career. Gobi and his wife Imelda were saved in October 1991 at the Rhema Bible Church and then spent 4 years under Ps Theo Wolmarans of Harvest Family Church, Johannesburg. Gobi sang in the worship team and Imelda was a cell group leader. In 1996 they moved back to Cape Town where they are currently based. He started writing songs in 1993 and has since produced and recorded five Gospel albums of all his own compositions at his home recording studio. He has never been signed to a record company but has had the song “Everybody is Somebody†recorded by Alban Petersen. He sings wherever he is invited to minister in song at churches, concerts, functions and conventions. His ability to minister the Word in song is unique as his every word is sung with clarity and purity really getting his message over to the audience. He is often called "the man with the golden voice and dancing shoes" Gobi visited the UK in 1996 ministering in song at Kensington Temple, London and Ealing Christian Church. In 1998 he visited the Love Center, New Jersey and First Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida. In 2004/5 they spent 18 months in Nashville volunteering and ministering to the poor with Isaiah58 Ministries, Belmont Church, Nashville under Pastor Bill Ruff. A tribute song to Johnny Cash took him to Nashville, hoping to make in roads to the music industry as do the thousands of musicians paying dues.
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A Morning Prayer for God to Be Near - Your Daily Prayer - May 14
God’s Word tells us that His nearness is good for us (Psalm 73:28) because with His nearness, which is wonderful in itself, we also receive His goodness.