Heart Of Worship

City News puts the spotlight on the Back-up Vocalist ministry.

Contributed By Annabelle Low

The back-up vocalist ministry started out with a couple of the congregation members singing with a microphone from the floor to support the song leader as he or she led in praise and worship on stage. These singers eventually stood on stage with the song leader to minister to the congregation in song. The team on stage grew from two, to four, to eight.

Now with over 50 volunteers, the BV ministry has come a long way since the early days. When the ministry first started, the BVs would come together during practice to listen and study the CDs and music tracks diligently. Having hardly anyone who was formally trained in music, they would memorize harmonies by ear, and replicate the singing styles they heard on stage. By and by, as the ministry recruited more members, there were those who had received formal music training and were able to sight read musical notes. The ministry grew to become more structured in terms of lessons and organization. They also began to develop harmonies and their own styles of singing.

Today, to be a singer, one has to start off as a choir member. From there, auditions are conducted to recruit suitable members  as BVs. Suitability is based on voice quality and tone, as well as conduct and spirituality. The leaders in the BV ministry work closely with the church’s zone pastors and zone supervisors when recruiting new BVs.

The BVs meet to practice every Wednesday at the church’s Jurong West premises. On weekends before the actual worship services, the BVs, the music band and the sound crew would assemble together three hours earlier for a sound check and a technical run.

Apart from supporting the main worship services, BVs also support the Chinese Church, JAMs and Dialect Church worship services. Throughout the week, BVs are also involved in the praise and worship during the School Of Theology sessions as well as church-wide Bible study sessions.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BV?

Besides being able to sing a note, the blending quality and tone of voice is also important. The BV ministry is not a ministry for soloists. While one’s overall presentation is a consideration, it is not a decisive factor.

“Pastor Kong once asked us why we thought famous secular singers could touch people’s hearts,” says Alison Yap, 31, back-up vocals supervisor. “They are able to do so because they cry out from their soul, from the depths of their hearts. I tell all of my singers that as long as they sing from the heart, they are on the right track.”

A BV needs to focus on God and lean on Him; with his or her heart open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Singing must be sincere, from the depths of one’s heart and soul. Of course, there needs to be the anointed touch from God.

A BV’s purpose is not just to sing beautifully on stage or create hype. They are there to usher in the presence of God and to build a platform for the preacher to share the Word of God to the congregation. While BVs are not perfect, they are to lead exemplary lives as a Christian in order to bear a good testimony.

“Because you are in the limelight all the time, whatever you are on stage must be who you are after praise and worship,” says Felicia Yeow, 32, a senior analyst by profession. Yeow has been in the BV ministry since 2000, and was one of the vocalists who entered the ministry through a singing competition organized by the BVs and choir ministries.

CHALLENGES

As with most stage ministries where the focus is largely on the individual, there is always the danger of losing focus on God. “You need to know the reason why you serve,” says Bryan Lim, 34, an events manager. “It’s really because of the love of God. God gave me this gift, and I’m using it to love and serve Him—it is as simple as that.” Lim has been attending CHC since he was 16 years old, and has served as a BV for 14 years.

Most of the ministry members are volunteers who have full-time jobs, family and other commitments—many are parents of young children. That is why BVs serve on a rotational basis to free each other up to be with their families on some weekends.

On the “job,” BVs also face the challenge of worshiping God and serving at the same time. As they sing their hearts out to God, they also need to be aware of where the music is at, the direction of the songleader and their own expression while in worship.

“It is a responsibility that is given to you, and you have to try your best no matter what,” says Yap. “When you do, God always shows up, and the outcome is always good.”

Up close with worship leaders and vocal supervisors, Annabel Soh and Alison Yap.

How long have you been a BV at CHC?
I have been singing for close to 20 years.

Where do you get your inspiration?
My main mentor is Sun Ho (co-founder of CHC). She believed in my gift and gave me the opportunity to sing and lead songs when I was 15. Her hunger for God’s presence and willingness to abandon herself during worship impacted me. Back in the early days, we used to worship and wait on the Lord till He showed up; sometimes for hours. But we enjoyed it because we encountered God each time.

Tell us about an experience that has shaped your ministry.
I was a very closed-up person when I was young; I would never dream of standing before large crowds to sing. During one of Pastor Mike Connell’s meetings, I was touched by the Holy Spirit and experienced such a overwhelming sense of joy from within me. I’d never laughed so much and so loud in my life. I had a breakthrough and ever since then, I became more “freed-up” in the way I sing and worship God.

What is the biggest challenge you have to face in terms of ministry?
For me, it has to be persistence. Songwriting and creating music has been in my heart, and stepping out and venturing into it takes persistence.

Who are your favorite singers?
My husband and I listen to Kari Jobe almost everyday. She has a voice that soothes. I also love Alicia Keys’ husky low tone, Celine Dion’s vocal expression, Carrie Underwood’s vocal stability … and lots more!

How long have you been a BV at CHC?
I’ve been singing for 10 years now.

Tell us about an experience that has  shaped your ministry.
The first time I led praise was during a mission trip in Kuala Lumpur. I thought that everything was okay, but after the service Pastor Kong came up and evaluated my song-leading. He explained to me that leading praise and worship was not just about the vocal technique but about pushing through the atmosphere and bringing down the presence of God. He told me that this really needed a prayer and a declaration to God that you can’t do it without Him—it’s not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit. So I really sought the Lord for His presence and anointing in my life.

Two to three years later, while on a mission trip in Taiwan, I had the opportunity to lead in praise and worship once again. This time, there was a tremendous change in atmosphere. People’s lives were changed and impacted. I was very grateful that the yoke had been broken and the anointing had come!

What has been a challenge in your ministry?
There was once I developed nodules in my vocal cords after pushing my voice too hard. It really hurt for me to strain my voice. That was when I realized that the breakthrough and the presence of God does not come by volume, but by heart and the Spirit.

Who are some of your favorite singers?
I like a lot of them! For secular singers there’s Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Natasha Bedingfield, etc. For Christian music, I listen to Hillsong and I’m currently into Kari Jobe.