Transcending cultural barriers in Hong Kong through worship
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
“Different culture, different language, different approaches but the same Jesus and the same mission.”
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Four Australian Salvationists who have just returned from the Hong Kong and Macau Territorial Music Institute say their eyes have been opened to the powerful way that worship transcends cultural barriers.
Julia Roper, The Salvation Army Australia Worship Arts Team Leader and Band/Vocal National Leader, led a team to assist with teaching and training at the Institute.
The team included Major Aaron Stobie (Corps Officer from Perth Fortress Corps), Jo Ineson (from Balga Corps) and Ethan Billman (from Ringwood Corps and the Melbourne Staff Band).
“As well as leading the mission trip, it was my role to empower and develop these three very fine leaders,” she said.
Together, they led adult and children’s songster groups, jazz bands, dance and timbrel groups.
Stepping into challenges
The team said they were challenged in a good way by seeing participants enthusiastically take on learning different techniques and new ways of worship.
Ethan Billman, who led the jazz band component for adults and children, said that because jazz isn’t particularly common within The Salvation Army in Hong Kong, he didn’t know “how people would respond to it.”
“But rather than being hesitant about it, there was a real passion to learn … The response wasn’t, ‘We don’t do that here.’ It was, ‘Okay, let’s have a go.’ That challenged me.
“I want to bring some of that hunger back into the different musical and ministry settings I’m involved in. Not just a desire to be better musicians for the sake of being better musicians, but to keep growing so that we can use what God has given us as effectively as possible for His Kingdom.”
He also learned that even with language and cultural differences, “music gave us an immediate connection.”
“I went over hoping that I might be able to contribute something and help others develop musically, but I think I came home having learnt just as much myself.”
Typhoons and heavy rain couldn’t dampen Aaron’s joy
For Major Aaron Stobie, who led the adult and children’s songsters and timbrels, the experience was one of pure joy and an expansion of his understanding of God.
“There were so many moments where I was reminded that, while cultures and languages may be different, God is still God, his Spirit is still at work, and he is constantly finding ways to connect us with one another and with him.”
Despite arriving in Hong Kong during a level 8 typhoon, the rain couldn’t dampen Aaron’s enthusiasm. When he told his hosts he wanted to experience full cultural immersion, he was awed by the sights and by Hong Kong cuisine (even chicken feet!). He said he did his best to learn some of the language.
“I loved seeing both the similarities and the differences in The Salvation Army in Hong Kong … What a privilege it is to belong to something so much bigger than ourselves while sharing the same heart, mission and passion for Jesus wherever we are in the world!”
Giving God our best
(Left) Timbrel rehearsal at the Hong Kong Territorial Music Institute; and (right) Jazz Band rehearsal.
Leading the dance segment and assisting with other areas of the Institute, Jo Ineson was struck by the absolute determination of those attending to “give God their best”.
“This challenged me to reflect on how we approach ministry and service,” she said. “Sometimes we can struggle to maintain that same level of dedication and excellence in our personal ministry. I hope to bring back a renewed focus on encouraging people to give their best to our God who deserves our very best.”
She said the children, young people and adults from the Institute, as well as all Salvationists from the Hong Kong and Macau Territory, would remain in her prayers.
“As they navigate changes within their country that may impact the freedom to openly express and practise their Christian faith, it is important that we stand alongside them in prayer. We pray that children and young people will grow up equipped to live out their faith boldly and openly, and that future generations of believers will continue to flourish.”
Performance time ... (left) the timbrels, and (right) the combined choir.
