Wesley Mission celebrates Easter at the Opera House

Marina Prior, Darlene Zschech and Daniel Kay brought the Opera House to life with their voices at Wesley Mission’s Easter Sunrise Service on 12 April. The 6am service was televised nationally on Channel 7 and broadcast on seven Christian radio stations across the country. Wesley Mission CEO, Rev. Keith Garner, delivered a powerful sermon on the hope and new beginning that Jesus’ resurrection offers to all who choose to follow Jesus.

The service was held in the Northern Foyer of the Opera House’s Concert Hall and was filled to overflowing, with over 100 attendees having to stand.

Mrs Prior, a musical theatre star who is currently performing in Guys and Dolls at the Capitol Theatre, moved the crowd with her soulful voice. She sung in the Easter dawn with Was it a Morning Like This and joined Daniel Kay for a duet of The Prayer.

Mrs Prior was interviewed by Mr Garner about what her Christian faith means to her and about her work with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organisation run by evangelist Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham.

“I’m not validated by my career; I’m validated by who I am in Christ,” Mrs Prior told the audience.

Ms Zschech, an internationally known Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader, captivated the audience with Worthy is the Lamb and Hosanna. The gathered faithful joined her, raising their voices in worship with even Mrs Prior spotted singing along to Hosanna.

Mr Kay, who has performed as a back-up vocalist for Barry Manilow and Michael Bolton, opened the service with a stellar performance of Great South Land and closed with Up from the Grave He Arose.

In between the musical performances, Mr Garner turned to Mark 16:1-8, the shortest Easter account, for his message that hope can be found in Jesus’ resurrection and death is “swallowed up in his victory”.

“As the sun emerges across our beautiful land the most important message is that Jesus Christ who died has been raised, bringing a new sense of hope and purpose to our world,” Mr Garner said.

Despite the early starting time, attendees said they were thrilled to spend Easter morning at the Opera House.

“I’m thankful to God for the opportunity to worship him with all these people,” said Robert Silva, a university student from Sri Lanka.

People watching and listening to the service across Australia and New Guinea emailed Wesley Mission to share how much they enjoyed the program.

“I am spending this Easter weekend alone as my kids are elsewhere and it is with wonder and joy that I turned the TV on to find this celebration,” wrote Lorna Hamilton. “Now I feel a part of the family of God and not just one single woman worshipping alone.”

“As a 30-year-old average Aussie mum, many of my friends and teenagers do not see the church as modern and relevant to them, but this morning you have shown the message of Jesus is strong always and forever,” wrote Pip Dos Santos of Fairy Meadow, New South Wales.

- Lyle Moran, Public Affairs

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The Wesley Institute choir welcome Easter day by raising their voices	Rev. Keith Garner preaches to the congregation at the Easter Sunrise Service
Daniel Kay performing at the Sunrise Service	Darlene Zschech captivates the audience
Marina Prior sings with spirit	Barry Chant, Senior Pastor of Wesley International Congregation, reads the lesson