Despite the winter weather, a good crowd gathered at the CMT for a festival of praise with an international flavor.  The lights were dimmed as a stirring drum beat announced the arrival of a Chinese dragon!  We were delighted to discover Captain Bruce Tam playing the head of the dragon while Captain Alice Tam led members of the Chinatown Corps in a lively dance to celebrate the fourth day of the Chinese New Year.

The Greater New York Youth Band, Youth Chorus and Timbrelists, in preparation for their upcoming mission trip to Argentina, paid tribute to the music of South American, and performed many of their vocal numbers in both Spanish and English (including my personal favorite, “We Are Not Ashamed!”).

Major Sunetra George shared her experience of officership in both India and the United States: the best of both worlds.  Chaka Watch, a soldier of the Harlem Temple Corps and a well-known Zimbabwean radio (TV?) personality, challenged us to ask ourselves, “Why am I here?” as he shared his God-directed journey from Harare, Zimbabwe to New York City.

Canadian Andrew Garcia was the cornet soloist in the beautiful Argentinian brass piece, “Oblivian,”.  Englishman Gordon Ward led the band while Australian Gavin Whitehouse directed the chorus, and led the congregation in a moving rendition of “Jesus, King of the Nations.”

Major Carole Bate, representing Russia, where she and her husband served with their family for nine years, shared her experience of being emptied and then filled as she discovered that the Lord Jesus really is everything He promises to be.

Major Alastair Bate, a native New Zealander with the staggering distinction of having lived in or visited forty-five countries, brought us greetings from across the Hudson River, where he and his wife serve as the corps officers of the Montclair Corps.

Preaching from Matthew 6:19-35, Jesus’ own sermon, Major Bate reminded us that our true home is in heaven.  We were challenged to think about what God values and what we ought to value.  As God’s treasure on earth, we are invited to invest our treasure—our priorities—in heaven, where eternal worth never depreciates.  What a delight it will be to lay each precious crown at the feet of Jesus on that day when representatives from every tribe, language, people and nation will gather at His throne.  We got a glimpse of that day as we worshiped together Sunday night.  Hallelujah!