Cape Town, South Africa
METRO BIG BAND
February 27 - March 10, 2025
Metro Big Band just wrapped up an incredible project in Cape Town, South Africa, partnering once again with Colin and Norma Peckham and Origin South Africa - a ministry that uses music to share the Gospel through groups like the Cape Town Gospel Choir, Foot Stomping Gospel Band, the Origin Big Band, and Symphonic Praise. We had the special privilege of being joined by the Cape Town Gospel Choir and Scott Rennie from the Foot Stomping Gospel Band on this project, which made our project even more meaningful. Over the course of the project, over 6,000 people heard the Gospel.
Our two big GMP umbrellas are sharing God’s love through evangelism and encouraging the Body of Christ, the church. We had wonderful opportunities to do this on this project. Sunday morning, we returned to Bellville Baptist Church, where we had the privilege of playing two years ago. One of the most meaningful parts of these projects is worshiping alongside fellow Believers from around the world. You realize just how big God is when you travel half way around the world and hear the same songs about the same God.
Monday night, we played a concert at Breakthru Restoration Community Church in Wellington - which we all affectionately refer to as "Hot Church" due to the intense heat, no A/C, and a packed house. Despite the temperature, this concert was a highlight of the trip for all of us. The Holy Spirit’s presence was undeniable as we joined together in a powerful time of worship. Check out these videos below of two Andraé Crouch classics -
Throughout the project, we had the privilege of performing at several schools. School visits are always a blast! We love introducing kids to the world of music by demonstrating each instrument, comparing the sizes of saxophones and trombones, and showing how they all work together. The drum demonstration is always a favorite! You never know how many of these students might pick up an instrument one day simply because a group like ours sparked their curiosity.
We also had the opportunity to perform at a Christian school that included both primary and high school students, with around 500 kids in the audience. After the concert, we spent time interacting with the students one-on-one. They had some great questions, like “What inspired you to do missions?”, “What’s it like playing in a band?”, and “How do you overcome being nervous?” It was a fun and meaningful time for all of us, as we got to connect with the kids and share our experiences with them. It’s all about connecting with people.
Cape Town is an absolutely stunning place with so much to see. We visited the top of Table Mountain, saw some adorable penguins and sea lions, enjoyed authentic fish and chips right on the bay, and took a group photo at the Cape of Good Hope—the most southwestern point of Africa. Pictures don’t do it justice.
On Saturday, we had performed at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre. This is a really busy place right on the waterfront with lots of shops and restaurants. The turnout was fantastic, and the audience was very engaged. A couple of ladies even brought their own flags to join in the worship, adding a unique touch. Performing in an outdoor space allowed us to connect with a diverse group, including many who might not typically attend a church service. It was a powerful reminder of how music can bridge gaps and bring people together from all walks of life.
Our project concluded with two church services at St. James Church in Kenilworth, where we had the privilege of returning after being there two years ago. It was such a blessing to worship with other Believers once again. The church community was incredibly welcoming and kind, and the pastor’s sermon was both inspiring and impactful. It was the perfect way to conclude our time in Cape Town, and we're already looking forward to coming back in two years.
