By Tina Teng-Henson

On June 7th, I convened a benefit concert for Altadena and Pasadena – 5 months after the Eaton Fires ravaged that part of southern California – out of obedience to the Holy Spirit. Here’s what I learned about the Lordship of Christ through the Altadena Benefit Concert (henceforth, ABC).

Jesus IS Lord. Jesus is LORD. He’s quietly at work, behind the scenes, making things happen, for his name’s sake. He assembled a group of musicians and creatives somehow, from San Luis Obispo, Walnut Creek, San Leandro, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Rohnert Park, and Sacramento. He brought together civic leaders, community organizers, non-profit leaders, pastors, children, businessmen, practitioners of healing, stay-at-home fathers, and dancers. It was a little bit of heaven, here on earth, and the stories are still unfolding. 

Friends from previous churches were so generous to me with their help. One former IV colleague did our event photography – for free! One congregant of mine from a large church I’d served 7 years ago set up his photobooth for a rate that was likely at-cost, easily ¼ or ⅕ of what it would otherwise go for. My college roommate in the Midwest helped me with administrative tasks that I otherwise would never have gotten around to. And at our children’s public school, so many friends encouraged me along, connected me to other potential host churches, helped me finetune the pronunciation of verses in other languages, and provided sheet music. 

An auction of original art, fine items, goods and services sprang forth, from the generosity of fifteen different creative individuals. There were vibrant watercolors, contemporary paintings, fluid art, and so many Asian brush paintings. There were over 200 items offered up by the end, such that we ran out of labels. Ladies’ purses, leather wallets and belts, countless pieces of costume jewelry, even items for children. We sent the LA visitors home with items that didn’t get purchased, and that felt so good to do. Still other friends contributed books they’d written, photographs they’d taken, and I got to bless and thank the many volunteers with some of these special gifts.

All of this felt reminiscent of when the people of God gave offerings from their own belongings and possessions to (re)build the temple of God at various points in the Old Testament. They brought linens and building materials, gold and silver. We brought art and music, heart and soul. 

I suppose if we are the temple of God, because his spirit lives in us, we were rebuilding the dwelling places of God through this benefit concert. I couldn’t stop thinking about how Isaiah 58 describes true fasting and the purpose of Sabbath-keeping: to do justice, to love mercy. To share with those in need. Studying Isaiah 58 helped me see that WE were now restorers of streets with dwellings! We were rebuilding ancient foundations, bridging gaps between people, re-creating cities and building community, literally, on a Saturday afternoon up in Oakland. 

And just like Acts 2 depicts, of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment being poured out on Pentecost weekend…we bore witness to this beautiful combination of South Asians, Latin Americans, African Americans, European Americans, coming together to help those impacted by the fires. A Chinese Canadian was an unexpected Angel in Disguise five times over. She felt the call to give to Altadena and Pasadena back in January. She sent $5000 to her son, expressing her desire that he give it to wildfire relief work. He sat on it for several months until he heard about what we were working on… then he sent the money over. They couldn’t attend the show either! But it didn’t matter. They were obedient to the Spirit’s prompting to give. This gift alone covered half of our expenses.

Despite the secondary trauma that I felt compelling me, as I later processed what even led me to partner with the God of all creation in working on this together, I’m glad I said yes. We worked on this together during Lent, Ramadan, and Eastertide. I believe the Lord felt good about how we brought everyone together for common cause in this year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), on the last day of my 42nd year of life (Deuteronomy 15), in the spirit of Acts 2-5. I learned more than I ever thought possible. May He continue to receive glory from the Altadena Benefit Concert, and may Jesus’ Lordship continue to be felt and known by all involved.

Tina Teng-Henson serves as a spiritual director and hospice chaplain. As a wife and mother of three, she occasionally guest-preaches and teaches. When she’s not volunteering at her children’s schools, she plays volleyball, reads, and writes.