IBA Unplugged 2010 - His Perspective

After going through many practice sessions, we managed to conduct an interview with the manager of the team, Mr.Chew Kuang Ern, to see things from his perspective towards the event of IBA Unplugged 2010.

Shortly after their sound check in SSGC, we conducted the interview via MSN! Here we go:


1.) Can you kindly update us your full list of members and their roles?

Sure. The members in the band are Alex, Ian, Evelyn, Wen-Li, Jeana Joy, Johnson, Cher Maine and I. Johnson, Evelyn, Cher Maine are the main singers. Ian plays the bass, Wen-Li the acoustic guitar, Alex the drums, Joy the keyboard and I the electric guitar. Ian and Wen-Li do have roles in singing too though.

(From left: Kuang Ern, Ian Fan, Evelyn Tan, Cher Maine & John Khor)

2.) How's the preparations coming along?

The preparations have been coming along pretty smoothly. We have finalized all the songs that we're playing and now we're working to make our songs as tight as possible.

3.) What are your main obstacles or challenges faced in your preparations?

Well the biggest challenge we've faced is to bring out the best in the songs that we're playing. We're given points for creativity so it was a challenge to make the songs as creative as possible without spoiling the song or changing its meaning or message.

How about gathering for practice sessions? As it's during the examination period as well as other commitments?

We've had almost no problems getting the members to meet up. We're blessed to have a committed team of band members who are willing to sacrifice some of their time to attend the practices. And also to practice on their on and being prepared for each practice session.

(Photo: Wen-Li)

4.) When was the last IBA Unplugged our church participated and who won in that year?

The last time our church participated in IBA Unplugged was in 2008. SSGC was the church that won that year. They also were the champions last year as well.

How far would you rate our team compared to theirs in terms of taking champion placing in the year that TTDIGC participated?

Well we gave it our best that year. Many of the competing teams were very good and talented. However, I would say we probably would have placed second that year had there been a second place prize.

5.) How would you think TTDIGC would fare this year's IBA Unplugged then based on your preparations so far? Confident for champion placing?

Well we're all hoping to win this time. There will be four teams participating in IBA Unplugged this year so we're hoping that we either get first or second. I can't be certain we'll be champions but based on our preparations I think we can at least place second.

6.) Any tips for those interested to participate in the next IBA Unplugged from our youth?

Well start practicing your instrument or vocals! Listen to more Christian music as well as contemporary music. IBA Unplugged puts a lot of emphasis on creativity and the 'tightness' of the band. So its good to form a band among your friends and play together so that you get used to your friend's style of playing and he or she likewise gets used to yours. Also listening to Christian music as well as contemporary music gives you ideas on music arrangement which will help a lot as creativity is one of the criterias of the competition. Lastly just have fun! Enjoy what your singing or playing and you will naturally gain confidence and get better.

(From left: Jeana Joy & Alex Tan)

7.) Are there any specific prayer requests and are there any shout outs you would to give to your supporters?

Oh yes. Pray that God will help us in our final preparations that we get the songs done up well. Also that the musicians and singers remain in good health till and even after the competition. Besides that, we will not be nervous on the actual day of the competition itself and lastly we will play and sing to the best of our ability on the competition day. Shout outs? Well firstly, thanks to all the people who have supported us and helped us during practice. Secondly, to all the youth, come and support us for IBA Unplugged 2010!!


Indeed, they'll be needing all the prayers and support to ensure that they stay focused in offering songs of praise and worship due to God, our Father in Heaven. Do pray for the event as well, allowing non-believers to come with a receptive heart and mind, to be able to know our Father personally!

4 days to go. See you there!

God bless,
daryl 's u n d a e' heng

A Sense of Family

Have you ever met someone and found out that that person is related to you? There is a strange bond that suddenly forms. You feel as though you know that person a little even though you have just found out that he or she is related to you. Well, I just had another one of those experiences today. I was looking for something to eat and I came across this meat shop.

So I went in and ordered a sandwich. While waiting for it, the owner of the shop suddenly asked me which church I was from. I was a bit taken back. I guess the cross necklace gave me away. I told him I went to TTDIGC. He said he had been there before and from then on we started talking for a bit. I left that shop, it hit me how simply we got talking to each other just because we found this relation, our relation in Christ.

I have been learning about this sense of family in church the past few weeks in Bible Study. The lesson became so real after today’s happening.

“We are one in the bond of love.”

It’s just so encouraging to know that you have brothers and sisters out there. I just want to encourage you to go out there and encourage your family members to stay strong and fight this fight.

Remember that all of us are important in His eyes. So who are we to treat each other any less they ought to be treated.


Just a bit to share with u guys. Keep rocking it out for Christ =)

Alex "c o p h y" Tan

Images taken from:
http://www.thecoffeebrewers.com/
http://www.azltap.org/Zero%20Fatalities/zero_fatalities.htm

Spiritual Warfare

I believe it's true - we don't talk about this topic often, don't we?

Yet, as followers of Christ do we not ought to know who's our real allies and enemies?

Ephesians 6:12-13

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Back then when I was in SMDU (Sekolah Menengah Damansara Utama) & KDU college, I felt that on numerous occasions I was the only one in the battlefield of the spiritual warfare. Trying to glorify God's name and being righteous was wearing me off so quickly and the next thing I knew, I grew weary and burdened.

I was told that there were "allies" on the field but they don't seem to be doing much in the battle and as an injured soldier, I hung my uniform up and decided to go "off duty". They seem to be happy minding their own business after all and that really stumbled me!

Let not the evil one get the best out of - not just you but all of you!

Instead of waiting for others to take first step, let us as the Youth of TTDIGC take the first step instead! May I suggest that you take note of your brothers & sisters in Christ, approach them and encourage one another. If you're unsure where to find them, CF would be a good place to start with. Let them know that they're not alone in this warfare - your united prayers will prove to be your best weapon in this battle!

1 Timothy 4:12

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. "

If you come across believers in your respective academic grounds that does not meet up your expectations, remember that in all that you do, do it in faith.

Galatians 6:8-10

"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."


Before I end off this post, during one of the morning service we had in Church, Unc Lay Seng did brought this up - that many of us did not take note of the fine print when we accepted the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, into our lives.

John 15:20

"Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

If you haven't put on your uniform and join the others in the warfare, why not start now? :) If you're worried that you're not equipped for battle, let us know!

*hint* Prayer is a great start at it!

God bless,
daryl 's u n d a e' heng


Images taken from:

http://www.faithinthefield.com/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/telegraphchristmasappeal/3545833/Christmas-Charity-Appeal-Combat-Stress-is-giving-troops-a-fighting-chance.html
http://www.freefoto.com/preview/904-30-2081?ffid=904-30-2081

Updates!

First up, for the Recyclables Community Service, we've collected approximately 330KG of newspapers!

Plus, there were only 14 of us so if we divide the total weight of the newspapers evenly, each of us would have brought 23.5KG of newspapers. Imagine if we had 30 of us? :)

Nonetheless, we'll be progressing to the next stage approaching to the TTDI residence. Do start to pile up your papers at home to add on to the total weight (which means let your parents be informed about our activities!)

We want to make an impact to our neighbouring community, so do pray that God would honour that very desire of TTDIGC Youth. Comparing to the small Thessalonian Church during Apostle Paul's time, they made an impact of their faith so strong, it reached as far as 250 miles away!

1 Thessalonians 1:7-8

"And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.."

Let us strive to put God's name on high!

Next,

for our dear faithful readers of the Youth blog, allow us to introduce our new list of contributors of the blog!

1.) Daryl Heng
2.) Gary Heng
3.) Alex Tan
4.) Xin-Yi
5.) Jo-Yi
6.) Yit Mun
7.) Phoebe Lim
8.) Johnson Khor

We'll be having a fixed "2 posts a week" by this list of contributors but we'll also be posting up updates (such as IBA Unplugged, Recyclables Community Service, etc.) in between the posts. So do check back here often to keep yourselves updated!

That's it for now, do look forward for the upcoming posts this week!

God bless,
The YTM Committee