City News catches up with 3PM for a report on their venture overseas.
Contributed By Lucia Ku
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| PHOTO: Ivan Turnawan |
As key guitarist, Raymond Sigarlaki, 33, puts it, 3PM is the spearhead of City Harvest Church’s Indonesian service. Brought together by the leadership of its pastor, Aries Zulkarnain, this visionary and inspiring worship band launched its first album Unto You at the Church Growth International and Asia Conference 2010 in May.
As of September, just four months after their debut, the band has played at Cornerstone Church Singapore, and then to GPdI Elohim and GBT Kristus Alpha Omega in Surabaya, as well as other parts of Indonesia. The purpose was singular and crystal clear—to carry out the Cultural Mandate by reaching out to more souls while showcasing God’s glory.
Their performance at Cornerstone Church Singapore took place on Sep. 23 following an invitation from the Indonesian community in the church to perform for their event, Indonesia United. According to Sigarlaki, Indonesia United was born out of an aim to unite Indonesians living in Singapore, and to cultivate joined hearts in blessing their mother nation. This event comprised a Band Dynamics Workshop, as well as a live concert starring various gospel celebrities such as well-respected Indonesian singer and pastor, Ade Manuhutu.
The presence of God was felt as 3PM brought down the anointing of God with the tuneful numbers of “Yesus Namanya,” “Hanya UntukMu” and “KasihMu Bapa.” Lives were touched. As Sigarlaki recalls, one lady had professed to being touched by the lyrics of their music, and it was through the songs that she was reassured of God’s love and acceptance for her despite her imperfections. Their music was affirmed once more when Manuhutu came forward personally to inquire about the writers of their songs and to share with the band his rich experience of more than 30 years.
On Sep. 25, the band, together with one of CHC’s assistant pastors, Darren Tan, flew southeast to Surabaya. At GPdI Elohim, 3PM held a joint concert with Messenger (a worship band from Jakarta, Indonesia) for believers and non-believers alike. There, they shared their personal testimonies in between song performances. As a finale, both bands came together for a spectacular jam session. The atmosphere was one filled with holiness, unity, and as Sigarlaki quips, “a lot of fun.”
The following morning, the group had to rise at 4 a.m. to lead the praise and worship session for GPdI Elohim’s first service at 5:30 a.m. In the afternoon, the purposeful band, made up of people from various professions, returned to conduct a Heartbeat Music Workshop for 40 youths.
Perhaps the anointing of God upon 3PM was most evident when they arrived at GBT Kristus Alpha Omega in the morning of Sep. 26. The group presented two music items and even though their songs were entirely new to the audience, their performance was greeted with much enthusiasm. When it came time for Tan to give the altar call at the end of his message on using one’s God-given gifts to glorify Him, an astounding 97 percent of the congregation responded to the altar call.
Touring can be an exciting but exhausting affair, especially for band members who hold professional careers. Taking time to make these trips requires tremendous sacrifice, including personal, social and family time. However, 3PM is determined to continue the work that has already begun. There is a strong sense that this is “what God wants us to do,” affirms Sigarlaki.
Sigarlaki reveals that a second album is in the pipeline. Aside from that, the band also plans to keep visiting Indonesia with the mission of blessing people with their music, as well as through practical ways, such as visiting Indonesian orphanages and old-folk homes bearing necessities and gifts for their occupants.
