MGM Concert 2013 Kuching

20 August 2013 by Donna Uning CM – 

 

At 7:30 pm, hosts Ng Wah Lok and Lucy Loo stepped onstage to kick off Kuching’s first Malaysian Gospel Music (MGM) concert at Blessed Church Friday night. Ps Dr Nicholas Wu, President of MGM educated the church with a bit of history about the MGM. He explained MGM’s mission to raise the standard of Malaysia’s gospel music.

 

 

“We want to tell the world that God is not a respecter of persons,” he said, telling Malaysian gospel music is just as good as the world’s standard. “God is doing something in our nation; our gospel music is equally anointed.”

After taking MGM’s efforts to Johore, Penang, and Ipoh the team finally extended to Kuching with this year being the country’s Jubilee year. “It’s an important year,” he told, impressing the use of Bahasa Melayu in the songs in their latest CD because “We sing in our country.” The MGM concert here was also a launching of their latest CD, Kasih.

 

 

Worship team, Sand, set the worship atmosphere with three songs from the CD. Songwriter, artiste, and producer Patrick Leong continued with Juara and Ku Terkagum. He is also the founder of Oops Asia, a Malaysian gospel label.

Elena Koshy came in with two songs, Arise and Terima Kasih. Her song, Arise, sent the message about the desire to serve God in ministry and served as an encouragement. “I want to put that song in your heart, and the desire to express yourself musically,” she said.

 

 

Host Ng Wah Lok commended Ps GT Lim on having the most albums produced. Blessed Church’s own Ps Lim performed two songs, one in Mandarin and also in Hokkien. Ps Lim also mentioned how he was always put behind singer Patrick Leong onstage and joked how he maintained his dancers to look good. “My church has no choice but hear me sing in my church,” he said as a compliment to Leong’s singing talent and looking at his team’s reactions. “There are different people we can reach out to,” he told, saying “I need my dancers Patrick Leong!”

Ps Lim introduced Blessed Church’s youth pastor, Geoff David Koh, who sang one song. In his second song, Ps Lim told how his Hokkien songs were more popular than his Mandarin songs. Four out of his 17 albums are in Hokkien. “It has taken me all over with this song,” he said of his second song, Qian wo de shou.

 

 

The next two gospel performers were discovered through the internet. “Everyone is doing their own thing,” said host Ng Wah Lok, explaining that many gospel songs come in various languages and how the internet helps give a chance to be heard. Jerry Wan from Miri sang, Yesus yang termanis, and Rhemedy Anthony from Kuching performedBerserah padaMu. Anthony explained how God helped him with his experiences through his song.

“What a joy to have a gathering of the East and West (Malaysia),” said Pastor and songwriter Cheng Lip Kiong from Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kuching. He gave a prophetic declaration that “worship will arise all over Malaysia.” Ps Cheng also sang Holy Spirit sound your Calling. This was followed by local group LIfeshifters from Kuching who performed two originals, Engkaulah and Begitu Indah.

Sabahan Debra Roberts came onstage with Bapaku and Yang Mulia, which she performed with Patrick Leong. Family band, A Force Beat also graced the stage singingKasih and Pembebasan itu Pasti. Sand came back with two originals; Renew them in our Days and Safe Harbour (in Chinese).

 

 

Scripture songwriter Esther Mui sang two of her songs from Psalm 27:1-4 and I will bless you while I live from Psalm 63:1-5.  Next, guitarist Kelvyn Yeang played Reach for the Stars.

For the finale performance, all contributing artistes went onstage to sing, Satu Suara. The concert ended after 10 pm. MGM Concert 2013 was held at Blessed Church Kuching on August 16, 2013.