an album launch. and revelation to many things* 

It finally arrived. I'm talking about the launch of 1 Accord Ministry's (or better known as 1 a.m.) debut worship album titled 'Revelation'.

And it hit the streets with a big bang!

The album launch coincided with three sold-out concerts held over three consecutive nights on April 15, 16 and 17 at the ECF church which was totally transformed, resembling a disco with the words "REVELATION" lit above the entrance.

For a moment, I couldn't even recognise my own church! But that was good, in a way.

See, firstly, it was the entrance. And then there were the canopied tents where church members sold drinks, t-shirts and CDs while others distributed posters. And there were the CD redemption booths. Then there was the long line of people queuing up to enter. It might as well be Hard Rock Café. Only better.

Everyone had to produce a ticket which had three separate tabs: the left portion for entry, the middle served as a memento and the right portion to redeem the CD. Each ticket cost only RM20 and they were snapped up like hot muffins, from church members and non-members, Christians and non-Christians alike. Tickets were validated by two men in black suits (ala well-dressed bouncers.) and many lovely ushers.

The car park attendants were dressed handsomely too, with similar black suits. They also acted as watchmen throughout the night, making their rounds around the front, back and side lanes to ensure the safety of all parked cars.

Next, the stage too, was prepped up befitting the launch, with time-precision smoke releases, the album cover backdrop, long black blocks illuminated with words like "ENCOUNTER", "SUPERNATURAL", "TRANSFORMATION" and "FREEDOM" to set the mood for worship. There was also a purple- and blue-hued chandelier centrepiece in the hallway. The whole transformation was astounding.

For me, these decorations escalated the expectation for the night's performance. And the band did not disappoint. In fact, it was, for the lack of a better word – explosive!

The show kicked off with "Holy Spirit, Come", which was very apt, like a prayer for the Holy Spirit to anoint everyone present as they got ready for a night of powerful, meaningful and memorable worship.

"We're here to worship God together," Kelvin Lim, 1 a.m.'s worship director and Cathryn Loh, worship pastor, proclaimed.

1 a.m. consists of Kelvin (vocals and keyboards), Cathryn (vocals), Kevin Lau (bass), Adrian Lee (acoustic guitar), Vincent Chow (electric guitar), Terrence Inigo (drums), Shawn Kong and Lisa Leong (back-up vocals).

When the song "Anoint Me" ended, Kelvin told the story from Matthew 25 about not living on borrowed oil, followed by an altar call for those who wanted to experience new oil. Thereafter, he made another altar call for anyone who wanted to accept Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Saviour. There was one hand raised, he announced and immediately went on to sing "Breathe".

When the song ended, Kelvin came to centre stage and told of the one hand raised earlier. He explained that as much as he wanted to discount it, the Holy Spirit nudged him deeply to heed the need regardless.

See, the one hand raised was his daughter's. "Don't push away my little children who want to come to me. She did not understand then. Now is the time," the Lord convicted him. Kelvin called upon his daughter to come to stage while Cathryn led her in the sinner's prayer. And the audience echoed along.

That, for me, was the highlight of the night. To witness a daughter heeding her own father's altar call to accept Christ. Awesome! I guess that's the best gift any father could ask for. And only our Father God truly knows our hearts and thus, planned for such a timely present.

Matthew 18:3 reads, "And said, verily I say unto you. Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Though only one person was saved that night, the impact was immeasurable.

All in all, 1 a.m. sang 12 songs, including the Mandarin rendition of "You Alone Are Worthy", which was translated by Bay Chee Leong and Chen Ren Chun. The rendition was unique with the keyboard erhu in the background, giving it a traditional yet contemporary feel although I had no idea what was sung, except for words like "ai" (love) and "Yeh Su' (Jesus). But when it comes to worship, understanding the lyrics becomes secondary (like when one sings in tongues). Instead, one should feel the music and allow it to lead you to a point where the presence of the Holy Spirit becomes real and it elevates you to become closer to God.

The band performed with gusto, song after song, chorus after chorus, line after line. The momentum was strong – ten-folds greater than the usual Sunday sessions. And who would expect any lesser from them?

Why did the band choose Revelation as a title, you ask.

Kelvin explained, "Because when we see God for who He is, we can't help but worship. These songs are our glimpses of His greatness and how that has changed us."

Cathryn added, "If you enjoyed these songs, you have been entertained. If you meant what you sang, you have just worshipped. But if you live these words, God must have revealed Himself to you. And because of His revelation, we change…and we hope you will too!"

Amen.
July 12, 2005 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 3:33 pm
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