Agape Ensemble Celebrate 40 Years of Sharing the Gospel

Anniversary Concert "In Praise of Him"

News January 30, 2025

30 January 2025| Zagreb, Croatia [David Neal]

A crowd of 2,000 gathered at the Zagreb Vatroslav Lisinski Grand Hall on Sunday, 26 January, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Agape Ensemble with a memorable concert titled In Praise of Him.

Hosted by Darko Kovačević, the event honoured the enduring legacy of a musical journey that began in 1982. Agape’s ministry began when a group of enthusiastic young musicians from Zagreb’s Adventist churches—led by Valerija Markov, Darko Kovačević, and Mihael Abramović, former members of the band Credo—decided to come together to sing at worship services. Their first major concert under the name Agape took place in Baška on the island of Krk in the summer of 1983. From 1985 onwards, their dedicated musical and missionary journey began, leaving a lasting impact on the Adventist Church in Croatia and the wider society to this day.

Rooted in the Gospel, the ensemble’s journey has unfolded through more than 600 concerts, reaching audiences large and small across Croatia and beyond. Over the years, three sons were born into the Kovačević family, and each naturally joined the Agape Ensemble in their own time. In recent years, they have formed their own group, Agape Family Quartet, also known as  Dad & 3 Brothers, performing independently alongside the ensemble. This journey has also led them to participate in Supertalent and other performances. Their music has often intertwined with humanitarian work, amplifying their mission of faith and service. Their greatest supporter, Roberta Kovačević (Mum), is also a dedicated member of Agape Ensemble.

Darko Kovačević serves as a pastor for the Croatian Conference, also serving at one time as Communication and Media director.

Kovačević continues to regard his music ministry as frontline evangelism. Following the concert, he commented, “With all tickets sold, 70% of those attending were from Croatian society – civic leaders, church leaders, representatives from media and culture, professional musicians, and the wider community who love hearing us sing.” He continued, “In a nation where to be a Seventh-day Adventist is considered to belong to a small and strange denomination, we believe our concerts to be heaven-sent opportunities to be ambassadors for Christ.”

“We believe our concerts to be heaven-sent opportunities to be ambassadors for Christ.”

The Concert Programme 

“The blend of traditional and contemporary musical genres is entirely intentional,” explains Andrija Kovačević, the Ensemble’s artistic director. “We also incorporated both sacred and secular pieces because we understand the importance of meeting people wherever they are on their spiritual journey.” He continues, “This concert, like all our performances, is about more than just entertainment—though some may see it that way.”

To illustrate his point, Kovačević highlights the concert’s diverse repertoire, which ranged from Nat King Cole’s timeless classic Smile, offering a message of hope, to Side by Side We Stand, a powerful and moving song of commitment with an open and overt invitation to connect with Christ. And if there is one principal test their singing of whatever genre must pass, Matija Kovačević describes it in one word – “harmony”!

For this anniversary concert, the Ensemble were joined by the Zagreb Stars Orchestra under the leadership of their conductor, Zdravko Šljivac , with guest star appearances from popular Croatian artists Jacques Houdek and Ivana Kindl, adding their personal touch to the multiple music genres on offer – classical, pop, blues, country and jazz.

Zdravko Šljivac, conductor of the Zagreb Stars with instrumentalists including Lidija Đidara, Vanja Popov, Jani Lipičnik and Aljaž Ogulin.

In what has become a tradition at anniversary concerts, Agape Ensemble members spoke about their activities over the past forty years and the Adventist church they belong to as an integral part of their lives. A few days before the concert took place, the Agape Family Quartet appeared on the Croatian national television show Good Morning Croatia.

The Agape Ensemble from left to right: Jakov Kovačević, Ljiljana Njegač, Karolina Kovačević, Branka Vukmanić, Marina Daražac Đidara, Darko Kovačević, Roberta Kovačević, Andrija Kovačević, Martina Maja Halužan, Anita Daražac, Katja Lipičnik, Tajana Dobravc i Vjeran Dobravc.

Support from Friends and Followers

Sponsorship partners include the Trans-European Division, the Adriatic Union Conference, the Croatian Conference, from among Croatian and Serbian members around the world. But the lead and biggest sponsor supporting Agape’s ministry is Zagreb City Council.

Some who had travelled from Serbia were notable by their presence – members of churches in the South East European Union Conference centred in Belgrade, Serbia. Their is a strong bond between the Adriatic and South-East European Union conferences, with Agape Ensemble singing in Serbia.

As Neven Klačmer, Communication director for the Adriatic Union, commented, “The Agape Ensemble is a tremendous support in helping our members share their faith. I have seen many examples tonight of pastors and members bringing friends in the community they connect with to the concert.”

Zlatko Musija, President of the Adriatic Union, Slobodan ‘Bobo’ Marčeta, President of the Croatian Conference, and Slavica Marčeta catch a brief conversation before the concert begins.

 

Svjetlana Veble (Executive Secretary of the Adriatic Union Conference), Neven Klačmer (Executive Secretary of the Croatian Conference), and Želimir Stanić (Executive Secretary of the South-East European Union Conference) share in the joy following the concert.

In Praise of Him

“It all started”, says Matija Kovačević,  “when I was a young child and my dad had a tall Double Bass standing in the corner of the room. As he moved it out of the corner to play, it caught my attention, and I remember walking up to the Bass and trying to pluck the string as he was. That’s my first real memory of a musical gene weaving through our family. We are so grateful for the support we receive to help make our music connect and improve people’s lives. Building bridges with the people of our nation and beyond for Christ is at the heart of all we do. That is why our anniversary concert has the title ‘In Praise of Him’, because we want all at the concert to know that our music is all about Him.”

“tata i 3 brata” – meaning “dad & 3 brothers” – Agape Family Quartet. The Kovačević family from left to right: Jakov (Bass), Darko (2nd Tenor), Andrija(1st Tenor) and Matija (Baritone).

Featured image and photos: Anja Patricija Cikač (stage photos) and David Neal (church leaders) and Marina Kovačević (hall panorama)

You can see more of the Agape Gospel Ensemble on:

Facebook: Agape Musician/band; Agape Family Quartet

Instagram: @Agape__official

YouTube: Gospel ansambl Agape; Agape Family Quartet

Thanks to Neven Klačmer for his collaboration in this report.

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