Brazilians hear language of love from Singing Men_53104

Posted: 5/28/04

Brazilians hear language of love from Singing Men

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil–Police escorts, a packed arena and large crowds may sound like a rock and roll tour, but it was all part of the experience for a group of Texas Baptists during a recent trip to Brazil.

The north central chapter of the Singing Men of Texas performed nine concerts in nine days to crowded venues.

The Sing-ing Men of Texas is a ministry started and coordinated by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Center for Music and Worship. The BGCT's Texas Partnerships Resource Center, which has set up a cooperative relationship between the Texas convention and the churches around Rio de Janiero, facilitated the trip.

Crowds flocked to see the 54-voice choir. More than 5,000 people nearly filled an arena in Teresopolis. Sanctuaries were standing-room only. Some churches ran closed-circuit television feeds for people to watch the concert in other rooms. Some people listened while standing outside.

The Singing Men of Texas connect with local churches because “they are the lifeblood of getting people” to the concerts, said Don Blackley, associate pastor of music and worship at First Baptist Church in Richardson and director of the Singing Men of North Central Texas.

The Singing Men of North Central Texas visited the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janiero during their recent trip to Brazil.

But people wanted to do more than listen. They sang in Portuguese while the choir worshipped primarily in English. The two groups sang in unison during the men's four Portuguese songs.

And the Brazilians responded.

They made commitments to follow Christ during each concert. About 500 people committed their lives to Jesus after the arena concert, which also featured a sermon from Nilson Fanini, pastor of First Baptist Church in Niteroi and a former president of the Baptist World Alliance.

Music can move large numbers of people because of its powerful presentation, said Chuck Bridwell, minister of music at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco and president of the Singing Men of North Cental Texas. “Music is an international language.”

The Brazilians' enthusiasm went beyond the concerts. Congregations planned a year for this tour. Many of them provided dinner for the men, 16 of their wives and six medical personnel who also took the trip. Second Baptist Church in Petropolis arranged a police escort of the choir's buses as they toured the area.

The two doctors and four nurses visited several medical clinics in the region during the trip. Because of legal restrictions, they could not practice medicine but spent time bathing children and observing ministries in some of the poorest parts of Brazil, including a community that lived off what it found in the city dump.

The Brazilians' excitement and generosity continue inspiring the men in their ministries and faith, several said.

“Every time I lead worship, I'm reminded about the passion we should have,” said Mark Hill, associate pastor of music and worship at Casa View Baptist Church in Dallas.

The group, including Larry and Rebecca Wesson of First Baptist Church in Eastland, also went out into the streets to invite local residents to attend their concerts.

Bridwell termed the trip “a special touch” that affected the lives of each person involved. Each individual can recount a moment that was stirring.

For Bridwell, singing “We Are One in the Bond of Love” arm-in-arm with Brazilians believers was especially moving.

“I think we all came back better ministers and ministers of music,” Bridwell said.

For more information about mission opportunities in Brazil, contact the Texas Partnerships Resource Center at (214) 828-5181 or send an e-mail to texas_partnerships@bgct.org.