International gospel heavyweights like Don Moen, Donnie McClurkin, Cece Winans, Yolanda Adams and Micah Stampley are among musicians leading the pack of worshipers as thousands of Christian faithful and gospel music lovers converge at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, South-West, Nigeria this evening, for this year’s gospel music carnival tagged The Experience 2013.

The gospel music fiesta which originated about eight years ago has grown to become one of the largest gathering of worshipers who come together to lift up one voice to God in an atmosphere of music, prayers and worship.

The all-night praise and worship fiesta is expected to pool over 500,000 worshippers in and around the world. Organisers of the event say it is designed to create an atmosphere of true praise and worship.

As happened in the previous editions, Nigerian gospel musicians are not left this year. Worship maestro, Sinach, Frank Edward, Midnight Crew, Eben, saxophonist Mike Aremu and Wellu Wellu master Sammy Okposo, among others, will be on ground to join their voices in the praise and worship session.

A member of House On The Rock Church, organisers of The Experience, noted that it costs the ministry huge resources to put it up year after year. He disclosed that to sustain the gospel music carnival usually staged on the first Friday of every December, a special account is created at the beginning of each year into which funds are generated and deposited for that purpose.

•Photo shows saxophonist Mike Aremu, one of the top acts expected to perform tonight at The Experience in Lagos.