Brownlee Congregational Church Organ Dedication

Jon & Dawn Barnes – South Africa

Jon & Dawn Barnes – South Africa

Brownlee Congregational Church in Bhisho, Eastern Cape, South Africa had a Sunday of “Praising the Lord!” It was a very special day! Not only was it communion Sunday, but it was a day to celebrate World AIDS Day and it was a service of dedication for their new organ and public address system…

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise God in his mighty heavens. Praise God for his acts of power; praise God for his surpassing greatness. Praise God with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise God with tambourine and dancing, praise God with the strings and flute, praise God with the clash of cymbals, praise God with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”
Psalm 150

This church was given a donation from Global Ministries for their youth to begin a music ministry. The donation purchased a new organ and public address system. This Sunday was a day to sing praises to God. The choir was packed to capacity with beautiful voices and an organ master at his stool with a smile on his face. The music was of angels as they sang, “O Come All Ye Faithful” in Xhosa. It reminds one that music brings the world together…no matter the culture, the socioeconomic status, race, sex….we all can sing praises to God. And that is what this congregation did.

It will be exciting to see how the music ministry of this church reaches out to the local community and how this ministry will draw in the young people and change the face and future of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). The youth also hope to add a full band into the worship service, as well as Boy’s Brigade that can take parts in music festivals and celebrations in the community.  Thanks be to God for music! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Revs. Dawn and Jon Barnes
Jonathan and Dawn Barnes are missionaries with the Kei Regional Council of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, South Africa.  Jonathan serves in pastoral ministries among the churches in the region.  Dawn serves in pastoral ministries and social work.