Teenager Frankey Asiang (far right), from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Temon in Johor Baru, said he forgot about being nervous as soon as he saw the congregation started singing along during their performance at the Rhema City Church’s Easter service on Saturday (March 30, 2024).
JOHOR BARU: Teenager Frankey Asiang was so nervous about singing in front of a crowd at his church’s Easter service that he could barely sleep the night before the performance.
The 15-year-old from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Temon said it was his first time performing on stage, so he felt both nervous and excited at the same time.
“Previously, I only had small roles in my church’s activities and decided it was time for me to step up, so I volunteered to be one of the main performers for the Easter service.
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“I was one of the three song leaders who sang and played musical instruments while other performers danced to entertain the crowd,” he said when met by The Star at Rhema City Church here.
“We performed six songs in total during the service on Saturday night.
“As soon as the church congregation started singing along with us, I instantly felt more confident and forgot about being nervous,” said Frankey.
The SMK Dato’ Usman Awang student added that he spent about a week preparing for the performance.
“Easter is an important occasion for Christians as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Jesus. It also reminds me of all the blessings I have in my life.
“Since my first stage experience was a positive one, I hope to get more opportunities to perform in future,” said Frankey, who also plays the guitar and bass.
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The church’s pastor Marry Jonathan said that 12 youth, including seven dancers and musicians, performed during the Easter service.
She added that it was an annual celebration where the service and songs were conducted in Bahasa Malaysia as most of the people in the congregation are from the Orang Asli community.
In KOTA KINABALU, thousands of Catholics thronged churches across Sabah for the Easter vigil service on Saturday.
The vigil, held the night before Easter, recalls the holy women who found Jesus Christ’s tomb empty.
The vigil begins with the kindling of a “blazing fire” outside the church, followed by blessings led by the Reverend Father and the lighting of the Paschal candle.
The candle symbolises the light of Christ, which “shines in the darkness”, which also translates to peace, faith, joy, enlightenment, concentration, miracle and life-giving power.
