Thousands of Chinese Christians took part in the“Heavenly Song” music outreach last month, two years after the inaugural event which reportedly impressed authorities in China. Sydney minister Rev David Zheng says officials were so pleased with the Opera House performance in 2012, they allowed a video of the event to be openly distributed and downloaded over the Internet.

“They were very pleased because it was a Chinese-language event held at the prestigious Opera House,” says Rev Zheng, committee member of the Sydney Chinese Christian Churches Association which co-organised the music outreach with the China Soul for Christ foundation. “Through this concert, Chinese officials were able to see the church differently. The image they had before was that of an old movement, trying to convert people. But the concert represented art, and a high standard at that, with its 300-member choir and full orchestra.

“People from my own church went to China and heard for themselves how the local people were talking about this event. It’s had a big impact over there.”

“We also use the DVD now as an evangelism tool, when people visit our church. They watch it at home and it keeps on being effective in touching hearts.”

Rev Zheng says that “Heavenly Song” went on to Canada, the US and Hong Kong, before returning to Sydney. This year, the event was held at the Sydney Town Hall, on a slightly smaller scale.  “While the 2012 event was an achievement musically and professionally,” says Rev Zheng, “what’s more important is that people came to the Lord – 400 of them. The whole atmosphere in the hall was so moving… the choir members sang with tears in their eyes.”

Danni Liu (right) and other choir members  practised every Sunday for six months

Danni Liu who was in the choir both years, concurs. “I cried… I just couldn’t help it! We sang hymns written by Xiao Min, renowned for many of the songs in the Canaan Hymnbook popular in China. This year she led us in two of her hymns;  when she sang, it touched people’s hearts.” Danni says that this year, 155 people responded to the altar call for salvation. One of them was the husband of a guest artiste from China. The singer, who was to celebrate her birthday the next day, described it as “the best birthday present she could have had.”

The 2014 Heavenly Song music outreach was held at Sydney’s Town Hall

Danni’s own mother came to know the Lord after watching the 2012 DVD, and that’s another reason she re-committed to performing in this year’s choir, even though it meant practice every Sunday over six months.  “I hope that my testimony encourages many others who are still praying for family members!” Danni also comments about how the local churches have worked in unity, especially significant at the first outreach. “For the first time, all the Chinese churches worked together, putting down our own pride and surrendering ourselves.  Some of the choir members were Cantonese-speaking and some were Mandarin-speaking, and people originated from different countries… but we were of one heart, with a genuine desire to witness for the Lord.”

While Danni lives in Australia, she keeps abreast with what’s happening in the country of her birth. “I have a burden for China. The Lord once showed me that Sydney is a window to the nations, in terms of the gospel. It’s multi-cultural, it’s a city important for tourism, and there are many international students here as well. While I used to read the Bible in English back home, I started reading the Chinese version here, so that I can evangelise better.”

Rev David Zheng (right) with Bernard Lee of Bible Society’s cross-cultural ministry which helped with outreach work at the event.

Many from Sydney’s Chinese churches used the Heavenly Song music outreach as an opportunity to invite non-Christian friends. While 155 people walked forward at the Town Hall,  the journey of faith may well have begun for many others, including those watching the live streaming of the event. Danni’s parents back in China were watching too, and while her father isn’t a believer yet, she says he was very touched by the music outreach, and had forwarded the link to his friends.

Who knows how many others in China have been watching the event online – more Chinese authorities, perhaps? – and what new ground has been gained there because of the “heavenly songs” that once again filled the Sydney air.