Rupert E.Z Peters

Director of Music:

Rupert Emmanuel Zawheagwa Peters, a native from Rivercess, Grand Bassa County Liberia, West Africa. Rupert inherited his musical talents and gift from his Grandfather, the late Judge Nathaniel K. Hodge. He began playing piano at age 6 and was encouraged by his mother Mrs. Benetta H. Peters to serve the church. Later in his teens, he served as accompanist for his High School, Joseph Jenkins Roberts United Methodist School. At age 15, he was appointed as Assistant Pianist at the St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Monrovia, Liberia. During his summer vacation, he helped out in the Music Ministry at the St. Pius X Parish in Harbel, Margibi County, Liberia. He also served as accompanist for Cuttington University while in college.

In 2005 he relocated to the United States where he was trained to play the Pipe Organ and Hammond Organ by Mr. Arthur D. Griffin, Jr at the First Baptist Congregational Church of Chicago, Illinois. He served the church as Assistant Organist from 2005 -2007.

Rupert later resettled in Trenton, NJ was appointed as Senior Organist for the African United Methodist Church where he served diligently  for three years. In 2010, he was appointed as Music Director at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of Divine Shepherd, Trenton NJ. The music ministry has three dynamic choirs namely: The Traditional Choir, Adult Gospel Choir and Youth Gospel Choir. Due to the diverse congregation, he has taught his choirs music in different languages and African dialects such as Portuguese, French, Ibo, Swahili, Zulu, Twi, Kru, Bassa etc… As young and energetic as he is, he remains stern and firm in his Roman Catholic faith.