For the Christian band Parousia it's "all about sharing the Word of God." For 12 years the Singapore-based group have ministered every chance they get in a language that resonates with those steeped in today's intensely music-oriented culture.
For the Christian band Parousia it’s “all about sharing the Word of God.” For 12 years the Singapore-based group has ministered every chance they get in a language that resonates with those steeped in today’s intensely music-oriented culture.
Jeff Lam says the name Parousia is Greek for “The Great Arrival,” and it’s often used to refer to the second Advent. Lam is a Seventh-day Adventist and a member of the group. “It quite aptly expresses why I am in Parousia. I believe that we have a duty and a God-given calling to proclaim the second coming of Jesus.”
This calling is what drives Lam to share in the mission of his church and communicate its message by using new and innovative approaches that will reach a secular society.
“Over the past 12 years we’ve played in clubs, discos, shopping centers, rooftops. You name it, we’ve played it. And every time we’ve played, it’s been clear why we were there,” Lam says.
“It has always been our aim to make known the reason for which we play,” he adds. “I guess Christian musicians nowadays can be categorized into those who openly declare Christ, like Steven Curtis Chapman, Sonicflood, etc.; those who make you dig a little deeper to find out what they’re saying, like Lifehouse, etc.; and those who don’t play for Christ at all. We’re definitely part of the first group.”
Parousia also assists other Christian organizations in their ministries. The band has gone on mission trips to Hong Kong, Mongolia and Japan to serve alongside organizations such as Youth for Christ and Campus Crusade for Christ. “We were there to fulfill a need and to help out in whatever way possible. We’ve also helped out in countless church-organized outreaches and played in many Christian schools.”
The band has played regularly at a café in Singapore called The Third Place. “When we first began it was only us, but soon we began asking other bands, both Christian and non-Christian, if they wanted to play, too. Without us trying to, it has now evolved into a monthly gig where over 200 people cram the cafe to hear local music, many of them non-believers.”
Lam explains that Parousia is usually the last band to play and they often share a little about the songs they’ve written and what they mean to band members. They built relationships with several of the bands that play there, “sharing our experience, knowledge, our values and beliefs. It’s been amazing to see God working.”
He talks about an experience the band had in Mongolia playing for Campus Crusade for Christ, an international interdenominational ministry. The band played several concerts, “not expecting to see the audience again, and also several short promotional gigs where we tried to invite people to a bigger, final performance where we would invite the kids to come to Christ,” says Lam.
“On that final night, we had over 600 non-believer kids there. When the response slips came in after the concert, there were over 300 kids that indicated that they had made a decision for Christ. It was absolutely amazing, and truly humbling to see God at work.”
One of the band’s goals is to strengthen and preserve the faith of its members, Lam explains. “We have each experienced personal and collective spiritual growth that we never would have on our own. God has truly blessed us individually as we have served together.”
He adds that, “It’s been a great learning experience for me working with other denominations of believers, learning and being inspired by them. I hope I’ve done some of the same for them as well.”
