Christian Music Online

Christian rocker focuses on AIDS

November 30, 2005 – 6:23 pm

Christian rocker focuses on AIDS - Louis Brittz and his band had a stained–glass window backdrop and a pulpit for a stage for their concert Sunday night at First Presbyterian Church.

They were right at home.

Brittz, a South African Christian rocker, has released 10 albums and has traveled the world sharing his songs.

“He was really good,” said 16–year–old Kayla Rhum of Mediapolis after the concert. “I saw him before in Mediapolis (a few years ago). This was just as good.”

Her younger sister, Andrea Rhum, 12, was enthusiastic about the band as well.

“During the first concert at the Presbyterian Church (in Mediapolis), he and the whole band signed my CD,” Rhum said. After listening to the album numerous times, Rhum decided “Dry Bones” was her favorite song.

The band was new to 12–year–old Ivy Fullerton, who said she liked all the songs played Sunday night.

For Brittz and the band, however, the concert was more than just music.

“It’s not just music for the sake of music,” Brittz said. “It’s not just Christian music for the sake of worship … we try and make a difference with what we do.”

During the concert, Brittz talked about the HIV/AIDS virus in Africa, something he has made part of his Christian missionary.

“Many, many children — millions — in South Africa are dying of HIV/AIDS,” Brittz said.

Through the Beat the Drum HIV/AIDS awareness program, thousands of teens have been educated about AIDS, and in one country, only a small number of new AIDS cases were reported over the last year.

Other countries in Africa are still struggling.

“This is a (Christian’s) greatest opportunity to show faith in God, show real love in Jesus Christ,” he said.

After sharing his message, Brittz and the band played a few more songs, drawing people into the music with their enthusiasm. Soon, the people were clapping and waving their hands to the African–toned music.

“For me, people are getting the word,” said bassist Rixi Roman after the concert. “They are really feeling the music and that’s awesome.”

Before Brittz ended the concert, he invited people from southeast Iowa to contribute funds for a youth conference in South Africa designed to train African youth to be missionaries and help spread AIDS education.

By SHAWNA RICHTER

srichter@thehawkeye.com

---

---