13 December | Belgrade, Serbia [David Neal]
Belgrade Central Church is blessed with an abundance of musicians – and inspiring leadership!
Ever wonder why preachers enjoy the musical item prior to their sermon? Because with careful selection, the hearts and minds of the listeners are tuned in even before the preacher stands up to speak. Earlier this year in one particular church, prior to the commencenment of my sermon, the music was so powerful, so in tune to my theme, and performed with such excellence, that I wondered how I could ever elaobourate further my message for the hour. In one sense, seeing the congregation connect so well with the music, it could only have been the Holy Spirit preparing the way for what I planned to share.
I experienced many more moments like this during the Belgrade mini-series led by Mark and Tennie Finley over the weekend of 2-5 December. Surrounding Finley’s messages was compelling music. The committment, involvement, and quality of musicianship of the young adults was impressive – vocal soloists, choirs, string and wind ensembles, a double guitar folk band and not forgetting the violin solo! And if you could have only heard the outstanding and original rendition of Amazing Grace by Belgrade Theological Seminar student Ilija Karadzov – what a blessing!
Wanting to know more about why music at Belgrade Central is so pivotal to the ministry of the church, shortly after the Sunday evening meeting ended, I caught up with music leader, Nevena Jasic Kuburic at the piano and listened to her story.
[Photos: David Neal / Video: SEEUC Media, Tome Nascov and Pavle Jovanović (production), Editing: Jimmy Botha]
Lead Picture: One of the Belgrade praise and worship groups. From left to right Ana Stupar, Marta Ilic, Petra Grujicic, Nevena Jasic Kuburic and Ilija Karadzov.
