It was a festive and appropriate start to the Summer Conference in South Africa in December 2018. Brunstad Christian Church South Africa held their annual Christmas Concert as a prelude to the conference. With a vibrant audience of almost 300, the atmosphere of anticipation in the candle lit hall was palpable, as the visiting guests were warmly welcomed by the Masters of Ceremony. The opening prayer of the evening was for God’s blessing over the conference.
The first item on the concert program was an African rendition of a spiritual song written by Johan O. Smith in the 1900s: “Sing, Sing of my Saviour!” This was followed by a message from Kåre Smith, the main guest speaker from Norway, who expressed his absolute joy at seeing so many visitors from other African countries. Remembering the humble beginnings of the Brunstad Christian Church in Africa and now seeing the development of the Church in Africa was very heartening indeed, he said.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
John 14:1-4
Kåre J. Smith implored everyone to believe in God’s Word, even though life brings trials that are troubling and even frightening at times; God loves and cares for each and every one and if Jesus Christ said He has prepared a place for each one, then His Word must be believed!
The evening continued with superbly performed musical items in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, interspersed with edifying messages from visiting and local speakers. A delicious, festive meal was served and enjoyed by all and the evening climaxed with a magnificent performance of the hymn, “Nearer my God to Thee,” sung in English and Latin by the BCC Africa Choir. A closing message of thanks and praise to God concluded the evening.
