Charlee wins a Grammy

OK, maybe not directly. Israel and the New Breed has won a Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album for their album Alive in South Africa. Charlee Biel and his audio recording team, including notables such as Dave Subcliff, recorded ALIVE in South Africa during two jam-packed concerts held at the His People Center in Cape Town, South Africa in August. Local Cape Town musicians including acclaimed jazz artist/songwriter Jonathan Butler joined Israel & New Breed on stage. Congrats goes out to Cape Town's own Grammy winners!

Mass Choir Recruitment for IRLA Conference

The IRLA Conference taking place at the end of the month will culminate with a Sabbath Service on the 3 March 2007. Karon Schofield-Nel has been given the unenviable task of putting together a mass choir for the day in just a few weeks. Click on the video above to learn more on how you can participate.

IRLA Conference: Combating Religious Hatred

It's been a year since we first posted about the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) conference to take place on the 27 February to 1 March 2007 in Cape Town. 'Combating Religious Hatred through Freedom to Believe' is an apt theme for the Quinquennial World Conference reflecting the state of our world today. Dr. John Graz, secretary-general of the IRLA, added that,

Africa is the continent where Christianity and Islam are both growing rapidly, and where religious tensions can erupt into religious wars. By coming to Cape Town, we will send a strong message of love and peace to the world, and work to combat religious intolerance.

You can find more info on the IRLA's website. Dignitaries such as Pres. Thabo Mbeki, Pres. Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu have been invited with Premier Ibrahim Razool and Mayor Helen Zille will be opening and closing the event respectively.

In Memory of Taliep Petersen (1950-2006)

Early Sunday morning the country was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Taliep Peterson, internationally know musician, singer, songwriter, playwright and producer. He was found murdered at his Athlone home. Saddened more so is my friend Charlee, co-editor of this site, who for years had been close friend of the Petersen family. In Charlee's own words,

often taliep would say to me and to others that i was like a younger brother to him, and even though I never told him or anyone else that he was like an older brother to me - today i would have to say that he was my bra - when i needed a favour he was there - when i was in trouble - he would sort it for me. He took me from the ground - today i feel very honoured, for the past ten years, to have recorded some of Cape Town’s best music with him. What I am, what I am still to achieve - as a recordist - i owe to my Bra

Our condolences go out the Petersen family

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Multichoice decoder 'hacking'

So you want to watch those public free-to-air channels that we so prominently advertise, but its concerns you that it may void your warranty or might be illegal. Recently in East London pamphlets on how to 'hack' your decoder to access these free channels created some nervous reaction amongst consumers. Also, MultiChoice issued a warning that users "“who use our DStv decoders to hack into channels the company does not offer do so at their own peril."” But relax, Multichoice explained that the decoder warranty will not be compromised if you choose to go with free-to-air settings. Multichoice did however point out that they can not be held responsible for the quality of their service if users decide to alter their settings. So if you know how to use a remote why don't you follow some simple instructions and get extra content on your DStv.

[From My Broadband]

Tell the World initiative launch in Southern Indian Division

As posted previously the vision for 2005-2010 of the World Seventh-day Adventist church is to communicate to all people throughout the world the everlasting gospel of God's love under the banner of 'Tell The World'. So as of 1 July 2006 the Southern Indian Division (SID) and associated Conferences launched five initiatives under the slogan of 'Lift Up Christ - Tell the World'. For more info click here.

Affordable Christian Satellite TV

Tired of the usual programming on TV? Why not give these amazing SDA Christian channels a chance. You have nothing to lose and everything uplifting to gain with a once off payment and no monthly fees. For only R1600 including installation. We also help those who have existing DSTV packages at their homes to get linked up to the programs. For more information contact Terence Coetzee on 072 436 3081. Click here for self help instructions to get these channels on your existing DSTV package.

3ABN now available on DSTV

Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), a world leading Radio and TV broadcaster in Christian programming, is now available on your small dish DSTV decoder. 3ABN not being owned, operated or funded by any church, the monthly bill to broadcast on DSTV is therefore covered by private individuals. I've draw up some, hopefully simple, instructions to setup your decoder. Enjoy! Note: I have yet to test the procedure on the DSTV PVR.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) is the "Mending Broken People Network," a 24-hour Christian television and radio network. 3ABN'’s focus is to present programming which will reach people right where they are hurting. 3ABN offers divorce recovery programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, cooking and health programs, stop smoking and weight loss, programs that deal with children and family issues, organic gardening, natural home remedies, gospel music programs, as well as a variety of inspirational themes from the Bible for children and adults.

The Most Amazing Prophecies

Mark your calendars for September 15-23 when Ps. Doug Batchelor (speaker) and Dwight Nelson (host) will present a fascinating series of messages called Most Amazing Prophecies.

Recently, the Bible has been a primary target of attack, receiving a barrage of criticism and doubts in the media. A parade of books, movies, and TV specials such as The Da Vinci Code, The Gospel of Judas, and The Jesus' Papers, all directly challenge the integrity of God's Word. But the Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers. One of the strongest evidences for the supernatural validity of the Scriptures is found in the amazing accuracy of Bible prophecy.

Gaither Vocal Band SA Tour

Good news for all those Gaither Vocal Band fans. The gospel quartet will be appearing in Cape Town on Friday 15th September at the Lighthouse Christian Centre. The supporting act will be Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Start saving now cause it will set you back R160-R200. Book now at Computicket.

New Website Creation for Adventist Congregations

Three Angels Global Networking (TAGnet) an independent ministry that is supportive of the Adventist Church's mission, has created new website publishing service called netAdventist.org. According to the TAGnet development team, an Adventist congregation can have a fully developed Web site offering local weather; Sabbath sunset times; interactive Bible studies and podcasts from the It Is Written media ministry; streaming audio and video clips, as well as live streaming of the Hope Channel, the church's cable and satellite television network, and LifeTalk Radio. Also available are the full resources of BibleInfo.com, which allows users to ask a Bible question and receive a full study on the topic of their choice. This service is currently only available for the North American Division.

Visiting Speakers for Sabbath Weekend 21-22 April

Well known author and revivalist speaker, Pastor Richard O'Ffill, will be in Cape Town on the weekend of 21-22 April. Friday at 19h00 he will be at Mowbray Church and on Sabbath the 22nd on UCT Campus from 9h30 to 15h00. His presentations will focus on the family, believing that the church is an extension of the home, therefore revival must start in the home before the church experiences it.

Jëan Ross, Director, Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism (AFCOE) will be in the Cape over this same period. He will be speaking at Helderberg College at 19h00 on Friday and at 11h00 on Sabbath.

If you can't decide where to go, both speakers will be at Helderberg College at 17h30.

New Quarterly Adventist Mission DVD

Ever wonder where your mission offering goes? On March 29, Adventist Mission announced and new quaterly DVD will be distributed internationally for free.

The DVD will contain ten-minute video segments which the Adventist Mission says is "ideal for showing in [Bible study classes], church, vespers, or prayer meeting," as well as five-minute and one-minute segments that can be used in other situations. The segments are designed to make members aware of what their church is doing throughout the world. Watch a clip from the upcoming DVD.

Eat, Sleep and Cycle

Apologies for the month-long hiatus. Something called the Cape Argus Cycle Tour is what happened. March became the month of eating, sleeping and cycling. But now that the tour is a thing of the past I can get back to keeping you update-to-date with the latest happenings in Cape Town and around the world. PS. Don't ask how I did in the race. Lets just say it was very memorable, for all the wrong reasons.

National Geographic films Pastor Doug Batchelor

A film crew from National Geographic making a 60 minute documentary, The Riddle of Revelation, visited Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church to record Sabbath services and to interview Pastor Doug Batchelor, regarding the book of Revelation. Batchelor was brought to the crew's attention by the high level of Internet traffic directing them to the Amazing Facts Web site relating the prophecies of Revelation. After the interview, the director confided that the answers Pastor Doug had given made more sense to him than anything else he had heard so far. Will keep you updated once a broadcast date is set.

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IRLA : Combating Religious Hatred

Dr. John Gras of The International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) will be speaking at their Quinquennial World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa from 27 February to 1 March next year. The theme being 'Combating Religious Hatred Through Freedom to Believe'. Quite an topical theme considering recent events. I'm am lead to believe Dr. Graz will be speaking at a Rally at Riverside SDA church on the 25th February 2006 at 2:30. Will keep you updated.

Chartered in 1893, the IRLA is one of the oldest associations defending religious freedom for all. Its primary focus is to conduct seminars and conferences internationally to provide education and training for addressing religious freedom and intolerance issues. The IRLA was organized by Seventh-day Adventist leaders to oppose any restrictive legislation. In 1946, the IRLA opened its membership to anyone interested in promoting religious freedom. Members represent many faiths, such as Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims.

Mass Male Choir: Videos

Sweet Celestial Music

Jesus Lover of My Soul                     23 Psalm

When I Survey                               Helig, Helig, Helig

Table Mountain Fire

Yesterday afternoon a fire broke out around 4pm and destroyed 700 hectares of vegetation from Table Mountain's Platteklip Gorge to Lion's head and Signal Hill, stopping just before the Twelve Apostles. A female tourist hiker died on the mountain from smoke inhalation. A man accused of starting fire, Anthony Cooper, 36, a British tourist, faces charges of culpable homicide and arson. He is alleged to have flicked out a burning cigarette while travelling.

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Spreading the Gospel with the 'GodPod'

No, it's not an transcendental iPod. It's an audio player from MegaVoice that's solar-powered. Can store up to 160 hours of audio and costs $25 (ZAR150). It uses a propriety format to compress the audio so you won't be able to play your (mp3) music you downloaded from Napster. This device has been around for about a year now, but it looks like two Adventist Organizations, namely Adventist World Radio (AWR) & It Is Written, have purchased 2000 units to use it to spread the gospel in remote regions of Africa. Hope they can put up with the iffy styling though.

Seventh-day Adventist Vision for 2005-2010

Tell The World is the vision of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to communicate to all people throughout the world the everlasting gospel of God's love. This vision has laid out seven goals for the next five years which include: Spiritual Growth, Personal Witness, Community Involvement, City Outreach, Church Planting, Evangelistic programming and Media Ministries. In an interview with the World Church President, Jan Paulsen, it was asked if the church could reach the goal of sharing the Gospel with 6.5 billion people on the planet? "I think we can," Paulsen said, noting that the recent "Sow 1 Billion" effort has distributed 900 million Bible study invitations worldwide so far. (Interview to be aired on Hope Channel on the 20th January.)

Information and a video on "Tell the World" can be found on the Adventist Mission Site

Source: Adventist News Network