It all began with two friends who used to sing together at church.

Come Country Music Week a few years ago and they said, “Let’s practise up a few of our old Gospel favourites and sing them down the street”.

So Juanita Doody and Jenny Bailey dusted off their “Do-Lord” and hitched up their “Hallelujahs” and headed for the Gospel tent.

They had a ball. By all accounts, everybody else did too. 

In fact, when it was all over, there was a feeling of let down at the prospect of waiting 51 weeks for another go.

But Jenny is an aged care nurse and not one to give up easily. “Why don’t we play at Bupa?” she suggested. The offer was enthusiastically received and each month, they inspire the residents with a program of gospel nostalgia.

“We love bringing joy to people,” Jenny reports.

“We found we were singing the songs that take them back to their childhood, a time when the love of God and church, and family was a precious and happy thing. They are connecting with something deep.

“You can see it in their faces. There are dementia patients who can’t talk, and all of a sudden, they’re singing the old words.

“The staff tell us that we leave a sense of peace behind us.”

Juanita agrees. “We only sing Gospel songs, because it is they that have the power to resonate with the seeds of God that He has sown in their lives.” 

Invitations started pouring in. They now have regular appointments at Bupa, Alblas, Moonby  House and Freedom Aged Care Facilities.

Then came an idea from left field.

“What about the Renal Unit? All those people hooked up to a dialysis machine for hours on end. Let’s bring them some joy.”

So Tuesday mornings at the Renal Unit was added to the line-up. 

But, of course, it couldn’t stop there. The Monday group got to hear about it and called for fair play. So that had to come on too.

Along the way, a few more friends have come on board. The Manna Gospel Group is now an eclectic quartet, from four different churches, comprising Juanita Doody from Oxley Vale Anglican Church, Jenney Bailey from NorthWest  Church, Vic Hatfield from Southside Uniting Church and Lou Farina from Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church.

But all of them agree on this: “We love it and want to do it more and more. We feel blessed to be able to bring a genuine smile to people.

“Our songs are a reflection of our own walk with Jesus.”