Over 2,400 people turned up on Saturday night, May 18, for a historic rally – the first Tamil rally of this scale in Singapore.

Audience members packed the stands at the OCBC Arena, a stone’s throw away from the National Stadium where another Celebration of Hope rally was being held in Chinese.

The stands were awash with colour as many came decked out in traditional garb, displaying hues of pink, purple, yellow, green and orange. People of all ages were present, from children and their parents, to migrant workers and the elderly in wheelchairs.

About 300 volunteers from 22 Tamil churches greeted the incoming crowd with bright smiles as they played their roles as ushers, counsellors and performers.

High-energy performances had the audience clapping along. Photo by Calvin Mak.

Chennai native Getsy Sudhir, 36, from St Paul’s Church, said: “What I’m looking forward to most is for more souls to be saved. The Tamil church has been quite quiet and it’s been a while since something this big has happened.”

The session got off to a roaring start with a mighty proclamation from one of the five worship leaders: “When God is with us, there is no fear, there are no worries!”

Upbeat, heart-pumping music erupted from the stage and reverberated off the walls as the worship band, consisting of members from different Tamil churches, began to play. The audience could barely stop themselves from singing, clapping and even stomping their feet to the infectious beat.

Energy in the arena remained high throughout the programme thanks to upbeat music and dance performances by local and Indian musicians. Photo by Stephen Silvarah.

The energy in the arena remained high throughout the two-and-a-half-hour programme, thanks to the celebratory song and dance items, including an eye-catching performance by a dance crew from My Saviour’s Church.

Dancer Rajendran Rakshith Raja, 19, said he was initially nervous about performing to such a big crowd, but was encouraged after remembering Who he was doing this for.

“One thing I’ve learnt is that it is not a one-man ministry. It is not just me, not just our ministry, but a whole lot of people working together to make this happen. And although it is not a one-man effort, the audience is one person: God. It is not going to be the 3,000 people, but God who is watching us.”

Rajendran Rakshith Raja (fourth in last row) and his dance crew from My Saviour’s Church, who put up a dance performance at Saturday’s Tamil rally. Photo by Geraldine Tan.

Celebrities from India’s entertainment industry — guitarist and music producer Keba Jeremiah, and film director Prahbu Solomon — as well as local pastor Reverend K Steven, from New Hope Family Church, took to the stage to share powerful testimonies about how God rescued them from despair and gave them new and lasting hope.

Their testimonies elicited awe and applause from the audience.

Musician Keba Jeremiah (second from left), a celebrity in Kollywood, with his band. “What was surprising was to see so many churches come together. It’s so good to see harmony in the body of Christ, uniting and reaching out together.” Photo by Tan Huey Ying.

Brother Mohan C Lazarus, an evangelist from Chennai who founded Thoothukudi-based Jesus Redeems Ministries, then shared a Gospel message of hope and peace.

“Tonight, Jesus can turn your sorrow into joy,” he told the crowd.

“Tonight, Jesus can turn your sorrow into joy,” Brother Mohan C Lazarus told the 3,000-strong crowd. Photo by Calvin Mak.

Before the rally started, Brother Lazarus had told Salt & Light: “I expect that the Lord is going to save plenty of souls. (This is) the great harvest I’m expecting from the Lord. The Lord is going to touch the hearts of the people and bless the people today.”

He was right.

As he prayed for peace and freedom from sin, more than a third of the stands emptied out as people streamed down for the altar call.

Crowding before the stage, they bowed their heads in earnest prayer as Brother Lazarus led them in another prayer of healing.

After Brother Lazarus’ sharing, more than a third of the audience streamed down for the altar call. Photo by Stephen Silvarah.

Many were moved by the Holy Spirit. Photo by Calvin Mak.

Members of the audience in earnest prayer after responding to the altar call. Photo by Stephen Silvarah.

Many received prayers and some were healed of chronic pains. Photo by Calvin Mak.

After a resounding “amen”, a few members of the audience came up on stage to share how they had experienced healing after the prayer.

One of them was Mona Sigamani, 58, who had come at the invitation of a friend. She had been suffering from chronic pain in both knees for more than 15 years and needed support to climb the stairs.

“As I was seated, the pain was very bad. When we started praying, my friends laid hands on me. After the prayer, there was no pain. Until now, there is no pain. It’s a miracle,” she told Salt & Light with a wide smile.

Mona (second from left) was healed of her chronic knee pain after her friend Malliga (second from right) laid hands on her and prayed. Photo by Gracia Lee.

Her friend, Malliga Samuel, 51, said: “I’m really thankful to God. Actually, Mona wanted to back out at the last minute because of some hiccups. But I really thank God that she came and that she received what God has in store for her. Praise God for that!”