A gospel concert being held next week aims to raise awareness of the continuing plight of Japan.
For most people, the memory of the shocking March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan has begun to fade, overtaken by more recent world events. But for Japan, the road to recovery is slow and painful.
Love East Japan is a touring gospel concert that aims, among other things, to keep Japan in the hearts of people.
“After the tsunami hit, we discovered that among the many Christians working in the relief centers, there were a number of performers,” says co-organizer Francis Kang. “Through Pastor Joshua Sasaki, principal of Music Minister’s Institute of Worshiper Japan in Tokyo, they came together with the intent of letting the world know about the plight of the Japanese.”
Apart from creating awareness about the extent of destruction in Japan, Love East Japan is also being held “to sing for the glory of God—among the performers are survivors of the tsunami, to thank Singaporeans for their support, to create a network of prayer support among Christians—starting with Singapore and Malaysia—for the restoration of Japan.”
The concert plays on Aug. 5 at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre and on Aug. 6 at Anglo Chinese School (Junior), both nights at 8 p.m. Following their Singapore performances, Love East Japan travels to Kuala Lumpur from Aug. 9 to 14.
The Christian performers, who will sing gospel songs as well as some of their own compositions, include Shinichiro Maeda, a vocals and choir trainer, and a church concert performer); Jamaican-born gospel artist John Lucas Barrett; Sayuri Kume, a gospel singer and songwriter; Daisaku Kume, a leading composer and arranger; and Steve Sacks, a saxophonist, flautist and composer.
To get free tickets for the Love East Japan show on Aug. 5, kindly contact naomilee@chc.org.sg before Aug. 1, 6 p.m.
