Singing up to the heavens

The Saru Mount Zion Cathedral Choir’s soaring harmonies echo the spirit of Fiji.

Their music, a vibrant portrait coloured with the group’s traditional hymns, gospel and indigenous influences, fill the church and spill out into the community.

More than just a choir, the Mount Zion Cathedral Choir is a testament to the power of faith and music, bringing joy and solace to all who listen.

The Mount Zion Cathedral Choir, formerly the Lautoka Full Gospel Tabernacle Choir, has been in existence for 53 years, now approaching its 54th year.

The Lautoka Full Gospel Choir was established in 1968, later that year, the choir began to grow gradually.

Blaring speakers were non-existent in those days, instead worship teams simply used a guitar, ukulele or accordion to name a few of the instruments used by these groups who are part of the pre-service program.

In 1972, the late Reverend Filimoni Kama moved to Lautoka, put his roots down and oversaw the church as endorsed by the General Council.

The choir’s name changed from Calvary Assembly of God to Lautoka Fullgospel Tabernacle Church in 1973 before it would be changed a final time to its current name, marking its establishment.

The choir is led by music director the Rev Manoa Tulele. He joined the choir in 1987 and has remained a member since. He took over the helm as music director in 2018, a role he still holds.

Maintaining the standard set by his predecessors was no easy task, however, Mr Tulele has solidified one of the oldest choir’s foundations through fervent fasting, prayer and spiritual resilience.

Many are all too familiar with the role that most pentecostal church choirs are tasked with before and after church services.

From setting a welcoming atmosphere with praise songs to bringing in the holy spirit with worship songs before the senior pastor takes the pulpit to begin the service with a prayer.

An average choir’s list is curated and dedicated in prayer before the day of the service.

The whole process cannot be rushed or done hastily.

The choir may be viewed as another ministering tool for lost souls touched by lyrics that reflect biblical messages.

Some of the previous composers include the late reverend Filimoni Kama Waqa and reverend Thomas Elliot who composed the song Only When He Speaks.

Some of the previous choir music directors are Pastor Waisake Leweniqila, Pastor Jo Leweniqila, Usa Waqatairewa, Asenaca Bentley, Tu Soro Vitukawalu, Kilioni Sri Lanka, Timoci Ramototabua and Tom Elliot.

The Mount Zion Cathedral choir has also toured both locally and internationally.

It toured Tonga in 1979 under its initial name, Lautoka Fullgospel Tabernacle Choir.

It also toured the US-midwest in 1992 and then Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia in 1987,1990,1993 and 2008.

The US tours were in 1989, 2001 and in 2008 while the other tours to Australia, Singapore and Malaysia took place in 1993.

A short snippet of Mr Tulele’s message in the Mount Zion Cathedral Golden Jubilee souvenir of 2022 states that he toured with the choir from 1989 to US, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.

Mr Tulele’s message states that the little nuggets of musical wisdom he picked up while in the choir enabled him to be a pastor in the US for four years and seven years in Canada respectively.