On December 18, 2022, as the year drew to a close, the North American Southwest Association held a concert to thank the members who had worked hard to develop the gospel through evangelism and volunteer work for more than 15 years. About 250 members and pastoral staff from churches in Los Angeles, Escondido, Fresno, Sunland and Orange County, California and Las Vegas, Nevada attended the event held at the Los Angeles church in California.
The brass ensemble, composed of eight members of the Southwest Association, opened the event with a splendid and magnificent performance. The brass ensemble welcomed the congregation from various regions with the song ‘Be Our Guest’ from the animated movie ‘Beauty and the Beast’. In addition, they played the hymn song “When the Roll is Called up Yonder,” which sang the joy of salvation with a light melody, inspiring hope for the kingdom of heaven they will enter in the future. The joint chant of pastors of the Southwest Association, “The Bright Heavenly Way,” conveyed the message of overcoming difficulties by relying on God, who gives us strength and courage.
The video letters from the pastors that were screened afterwards gave a great impression to the attendees. Pastors expressed their gratitude for the love, patience, and dedication of the members who have devoted themselves to the gospel for a long time, and expressed the joy and happiness of having accompanied the members on the path of faith. Pastor Jung Jae-hwan of the Los Angeles Church expressed his sincerity by saying, “I sincerely thank you for all your hard work and for your efforts for the glory of Father and Mother.”
The members who enjoyed the whole event as if they had received a year-end gift pledged to work hard to complete the gospel of the kingdom in a beautiful union in the new year.
