Local choir inspires at Malaysian conference

The Agapé African choir has received an invitation from the largest church in the world, the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, to sing there in 2015. “That would be one of the stops of a proposed tour, which would be an awesome opportunity,” said choir leader Pastor Grant Clifton this week.

The moment that Dr Kim Sung Hae Cho, the spouse of Dr Yonggi Cho, founder of the million-member church in Seoul, gave the invitation, tears flowed. Dr Kim was one of the main speakers at the International Pastors and Leaders Conference (IPLC) hosted at the Glory Christian Centre (GCC) in Kota Kinabalu (KK)  in East Malaysia, situated on the island of Borneo. Two years ago, Dr William Vun of GCC challenged Pastor Sam van Niekerk of the Agapé Christian Centre in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) to bring the African sound in worship to Eastern Asia. Pastors Grant and Bernice Clifton of Agapé, both gifted musicians, rose to the challenge and arrived at the conference on 24 September this year with a 28-member choir.

The Borneo Post reported on the choir on 3 October: “The multi-ethnic Agapé Choir from South Africa, with their unique sound and rhythm and colourful costumes, enriched the sessions …” The Borneo Post also mentioned that over 700 delegates and thousands of local Christians and pre-believers from nine countries took part in the four-day ILPC. There were delegates from South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia.

“At the conference, the choir had the opportunity to perform several times and do a wide array of items, which all went very well. We had a very exciting and impacting time,” said Pastor Grant. They added a portion of Shakira’s Waka Waka to their praise song Wena Mkululi (Lord, You are my freedom). The conferees absolutely loved it and they had to repeat the song over and over. Bernice’s crystal clear Pie Jesu”was also encored.

The theme of the conference was Holy Spirit in His Church. Dr Kim, who is over 70 years old, prayed personally for each delegate who wanted prayer. Her church is well known for its Prayer Mountain and their strong intercessory prayers. Dr Vun encouraged attendees to even start all over again with the Holy Spirit, while Pastor Tan Seow How pleaded with everyone to be encouragers of young people.  In the past 15 years, his Heart of God Church in Singapore grew from five members to about 3 000, with only 500 who earn a salary. The youngest speaker, Reverend Kevin Loo of City Harvest Church in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, explained how to create an environment for the Holy Spirit to move.

The whole group of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) consisted of 50 people, some of whom had the opportunity to visit the scenic Tioman Island in West Malaysia and Manukan Island in East Malaysia.

News - Date: 11 October 2013

Linda van der Westhuizen

Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.

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