19 Dec by Adeline Lum CM-
Patrons of Lot 10 gathered around a stage outside H&M, to listen to a group of 20 men in black suits singing soulful Christmas hymns.
On 15 Dec, the Full Gospel Businessmen (FGB) fellowship was invited by the YTL Corporation Bhd to share the joy of Christmas at Lot 10, before adjourning to Shook! in Starhill.
“It’s kind of fun seeing many older men doing things together. I find it very impressive! Sometimes, men can have their power struggles yet they (FGB men) can sing together,” said Rebu Yau, one of the audiences in Lot 10 who was visiting from Los Angeles.
“My favorite was ‘Mary, did you know?’ because it’s about Jesus when He is born. When I listen to it, I feel that there’s still hope for many people,” added Diane Ng, another patron in Lot 10.
Started by Robert Tan who organized the first FGB Christmas performance in Atria then, the Christmas performance has seen different groups of people in FGB joining since then.
Raymond Phang, organizer of this year’s FGB Christmas event, was overjoyed that the Lord has opened doors for them this year to touch more people, “We were expecting to sing once, but we were invited to sing four times over two weekends!”
All the songs were chosen based on the bible verse John 3:16, unlike classic Christmas Carols such as Jingle Bells or Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer to share the gospel of Christ, shared Raymond. Inspired by Sun Ho in City Harvest Church whose song touched the heart of a gangster in Hong Kong, Raymond hoped that their caroling would also move the hearts of those who are searching for God.
The contemporary songs chosen included Mary Did you Know, We are the Reason, and What Child is This. And other timeless Christmas hymns included Happy Man Song, Joy to the World, Angels We have Heard on High, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, Go Tell it on the Mountain, By the Rivers of Babylon, What Child is This, Silent Night, When A Child is Born, Zan Mei Zhu, Feliz Navi Dad, Mary’s Boy child, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
In the middle of their caroling, a few of the FGB members also stood onstage holding placards, to share how Jesus had changed their lives. Steven Toh shared how God has saved him from the possible brain damage he could have from falling from a ladder. Jonathan Tan shared how he changed after knowing Jesus, from being a smoker and a drinker. And lastly, Christopher Koh shared how God saved him from robbery when he cried out “Lord!”
“We are from all walks in life, yet we are one in the body of Christ,” said soloist Ronny Phang who felt thankful that he was able to sing with so many brothers-in-Christ.
Singing and dancing on-stage, the mighty men of FGB thoroughly entertained the audience. A few of the audience in Lot 10 were even seen dancing with the carolers to the song, Zan Mei Zhu, while the people in Shook! tapped their feet to the carols. Many people were seen stopping to take a picture with their cellphones.
Catch them if you can this coming Saturday (21 Dec) at LOT 10, 6.30 PM and Shook! in Starhill, 8:30 PM. Have a merry Christmas!
"Mighty Men"?