First Asian Baptist Church Celebrates 10th Anniversary
July 12 ? 14, First Asian Baptist Church of Metro Atlanta celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 13th with gala fanfare and a sumptuous banquet.
The Church, which hosts its service to the community at Piedmont Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, has experienced significant growth through trials and tribulations. The joy of the event multiplied because as many community leaders of various faiths were present to convey their greetings. Best wishes on this milestone were conveyed, among others, by Mr. Amitabh Sharma (President IACA), Farooq Soomroo (Pak Atlanta), Mr Gogi Basi (Sikh Circle), Dr. Padmini Sharma (TAMA), and Mr. Akhtar Sadiq who delivered an official greeting by Georgia Governor Roy Barnes.
The program prelude began with Chris Hale who grew up in Nepal and India playing the sitar. Peter Hicks accompanied him on the acoustic guitar. Premlatha Perumal said an invocation to God.
The group ?Messengers?, from Cincinnati, Ohio performed a few gospel songs that really moved the crowd. Ritu David welcomed the guests and shared her personal memoirs of the past ten years at the Church. A small religious skit titled, ?Tree of Love? which was enacted by the youth of the Church and directed by Civia Waleski, followed next.
Popular Atlanta singer Laxmi Rao performed a song with the Church Band led by Sharoon Farhat. The men from the band sang a Punjabi Folk song ?Isu da salaam? which had a great beat and the allure of hard working field men who gather together at dusk to sing His praises.
Kadambari, a former film producer who is presently a gospel singer on a national tour promoting her albums and preaching the faith, won over the audience with her karaoke song, ?Masiha ke dar?, a ghazal, and a qawwali. Chris Hale and Peter Hicks came again on stage and sang some of the classiest bhajans in the absolute Devnagri (from where Hindi is derived). One wonders how well someone can adapt to a language so complex and yet deliver it with so much ease that too in lyrics not just words. Johnson Macdonal sang some Kumar Sanu style gospel songs during the dinner break. Dr. Padmini & Mr. Chandler Sharma sponsored the dinner. The food was catered by Maharaja Restaurant.
The event message was delivered by Dr. T. V. Thomas who grew up in Malaysia, immigrated to Canada and is a well known motivational speaker in the US and South Asia. The theme of his speech was about the three jewels stated in the Bible, namely prayer, thanksgiving and attitude. His message that ?Attitude affects our output and our output affects our outcome,? was illuminating. Mr. Larry Fllingim offered the evening?s benediction and acknowledgements were graced by Pastor Younis Farhat. The participants had a great evening and guests left with a recognition of the success of this community organization.
- Viren Mayani
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