Opus-I and II Ensemble Singers
Most of the Opus-II General Conference group
Opus-II Sings at General Conference
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen
The Opus-II Ensemble Singers, a twenty five voice vocal ensemble from Collegedale Academy, spent July 6 thorough 9 at the General Conference session in St. Louis. Their role was somewhat unique among musical groups who were at the session. Not only did they participate in the mass choir for the church service the second Sabbath, but they joined the Columbia Union College choir and the New England Youth Ensemble to present Virginia Gene Rittenhouse’s oratorio, The Vision of the Apocalypse. This oratorio was presented to a standing room only crowd in Christ Church cathedral not far from the convention center.
St Louis, with its Gateway Arch, symbolizing the westward expansion of a nation seemed a fitting location for a convention of a growing, expanding church. “Being able to see so many Adventists in one place, and not all of them being able to speak you language, shows that God’s message is going into all the world,’ noted Ethan White.
For Kristina Dunn, being at General Conference emphasized the idea of “ World Church.” To come to the realization that all 70,000 (or whatever the correct number was) of us were from all over the world but were all unified by one Spirit and faith was incredible. It gave me goose bumps every time I started to let this overwhelming, concept sink into my narrow, American mind. The term “ World Church” has a whole new meaning now. When the mass choir and orchestra performed “Amazing Grace,” I couldn’t help but long for the day in heaven when we’ll all be singing with the angels praises to our Redeemer.
Dr. James Bingham, conductor of the choir was also generous with praise. “Your students really did a superlative job and I was very impressed with them to say the very least. They were courteous and helpful, and were punctual and willing to work hard over long and tiring hour. Please tell them how much I was impressed with them and that they were a credit to you, their academy, and to Christian education. Their sound blended right into my own choir’s sound and that made things very easy for me as the director.”
“I absolutely loved being surrounded by all the amazing people that attended the General Conference,” noted Chris Clouzet. “I enjoyed singing the powerful oratorio very much and being able to join voices with the mass choir was also a neat experience. Probably my favorite thing was just soaking in the wonder of 70,000 family members that I will be able to spend eternity with one day. I look forward to that day very, very much! General Conference, was for me, a taste of Heaven.”
Opus-II Ensemble Singers sing in the Aguadilla Espinal SDA Church; their host church in Puerto Rico
Memories of Puerto Rico
—by Alex Mejias, Chris Clouzet, Jordan McKee, Kristina Dunn, Lorraine Reverson, Katie Jacobs, Janelle Junn, and Ubelinda Octaviani
The Opus-II Ensemble Singers, a group of singers from Collegedale Academy, spent Spring Break singing and witnessing across Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island, especially when visited with the right people. The Opus-II Ensemble singers are blessed. I can’t believe how Christ oriented the youth are. We had so much fun; I pray that we touched someone’s (or many people’s) hearts.
The people in our group were spectacular and I’m so glad I got to know them better. Our hosts were amazing; their generosity, hospitality, and non-stop work were praiseworthy. All our destinations were spectacular. Most of all, though, singing for all the wonderful Puerto Rican people was the best! So many waving hands, smiling faces, and enthusiastic responses. God definitely blessed in my life; I have NO regrets for going!
Witnessing for God was a huge highlight on this trip. Being able to share our faith through music is just amazing. I loved praising God everywhere—in churches, schools— anywhere. Singing at the schools probably had the most impact on me. This was an awesome trip! I loved making more friends, enjoying the culture, and best of all, praising God. 
I will always remember the screaming students when God sang through us for the elementary schools, especially after He Never Failed Me Yet. It was so amazing to see and FEEL excitement for Christ and what He’s all about. The fact that the Creator God of the universe would actually want to use a puny sinner like me to share this message to the world, and for giving me a unique talent to sing about and for him is both incredibly humbling and exhilarating.
One of the things that I heard people say about us the most was that they could tell by how we acted that we really loved God. Even though some people couldn’t understand everything that we sang or said, I am glad that Jesus still shone through us in different ways.
I don’t think I could have possibly had a better spring break than I’ve had in Puerto Rico. I was lucky enough to be staying with people that really weren’t my close friends, and it was amazing. I could not have been staying with better people. One thing this trip has taught me is that it is never too late to make new friends and that our number one priority has to be taking all of them with us to heaven.
I would have never known that one mission trip can change your life or your perspective. This trip has made me more aware of the world. I’ve traveled a lot, but when you get the chance to travel with friends and go for a mission everything changes. Puerto Rico is a small place full of loving people. These people do not have as much as we do, yet they are willing to give so much more. They have impressed me to be more like that. Everything—the food, friends, the beach, the music, and God—has broadened my horizons. I will treasure these memories for the rest of my life.
The students who spoke of their experiences walking with the Lord in their young lives touched many. One youth even cried as they left, wanting to be a part of such ministry. Pastors of all the churches involved indicated they should return and were pleased to know that even in today’s world, there are still young people that behave and carry themselves in a Christian manner.
Left: Emily Wright models local flora; Center: Crashboat beach; Right: Evening worship at the beach
Opus-I Ensemble Singers Share their Faith in Eastern Europe
(Note: This trip was sponsored by the Collegedale Church, not Collegedale Academy.)
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen
Packed churches, enthusiastic audiences, and more food than could possibly be eaten characterized Opus-I’s mission trip to eastern Europe. A mixture of classic choral literature, American folk music, and the spoken word comprised the formal presentations. “Your impact here has been tremendous,” noted a local conference president. “Our people are accustomed to listening to preachers; they are not accustomed to hearing youth speak. It was a wake-up call to our youth and our members in general.”
Opus-I is a group of 22 young singers who are recent graduates or current students at Collegedale Academy. The trip, sponsored by the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, began May 27 and ended June 15, 2004. The primary itinerary where concerts were actually scheduled included Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria. A brief side trip to Salzburg, Austria, the Sound of Music sites, the Salzkammergut alpine lake district, and a night in Budapest, Hungary, rounded out the experience.
Street witnessing was a highlight, especially in Prague, a city filled with tourists, most of whom spoke English. Hundreds gathered in the Old Town Square and in Prague Castle to listen to youth sing and share their faith.
A high point of the trip was the privilege to present the first program ever in the new Adventist Church in Sarmaşu, Romania. The local congregation had waited ten years for this first meeting in their new church, which had just been completed during a previous mission trip. The facility, as nice as any church in America, contrasts dramatically with the dirt street outside, shared by autos, ducks, chickens, and horse-drawn vehicles.
For most of the ensemble the most memorable thing would have to be the people. Their hospitality was overwhelming; the food never ending. They had tears in their eyes as we sang, and they seemed honored to be our hosts. “The church members we encountered were incredibly warm and inviting,” remembered Jacqueline Liles. “They displayed such Christ-like love and hospitality. According to our society’s standards they had very little, but how quick they were to give amazed me! They were also so quick to love and appreciate. I think I learned more about God’s love and acceptance from them.”
Other memorable musical moments include
The language barrier is always a challenge on international travel. In several Romanian churches two languages were spoken, Romanian and Hungarian. Those “lucky” enough to be speaking in those churches had everything translated twice; this either provided plenty of time to plan what to say next, or plenty of time to lose one’s train of thought. “With the language barrier, a smile means so much more,” noted Jeremiah Smith, “Often it’s all you can give.” Our hosts noticed our smiles. “You are always smiling, and seem so happy,” noted some Bulgarian youth, “We rarely smile with our friends.”
Justin Jones recalls the pleasure of worshiping in their churches. “It was a really good experience to worship with other believers, all the way across the world. It was cool to see the similarities and differences in our churches and the way we live.” One difference was the size of the crowds. In many of the churches in Romania and Bulgaria every seat was full, with people sitting in the aisles and standing in the back, all the way out the door. After every concert the audience would request an encore, usually a song, or several songs already sung that they especially enjoyed. Favorites included the spiritual, “Ain’t Got Time to Die,” and the gospel folk song, “Where Could I Go but to the Lord?”
“The trip opened my eyes to how much this world desperately needs Jesus,” noted Kristina Dunn, “The song, ‘E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come . . . and dark shall be no more . . . and Christ will be their all,’ vibrantly came alive in my heart and mind.” A music professor from New York University we encountered in Salzburg Cathedral commented not only on the “beautiful sound, especially the sopranos,” but added, “You’ve tattooed a memory on their hearts that they will carry with them forever.”
“Please come back, please come back,” were the sentiments of all of the congregations we visited, from Prague, through Romania, to Bulgaria. “You have no idea what a positive witness you’ve been,” was the unanimous verdict of all our hosts. “What our people know of America is what they see in American movies, and it’s so negative,” noted our Bulgarian hosts, “You’ve given us a different picture—a very positive picture.” Ryan Litchfield articulated what is so often the case on a trip like this, “It was a mission trip that taught me more than I taught others.”
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