Christian Martyr Sings Praise Song to God while He is Murdered
- Carrie Dedrick
- Updated May 08, 2015
Hillsong Church in Sydney hosted the funeral of Andrew Chan, the Australian man who was executed last week for smuggling drugs.
Chan spent 10 years on death row before being killed alongside nine other men; during his time in prison, he became a Christian, studied theology and graduated from seminary as a pastor. Hillsong pastor Brian Houston, who kept in contact with Chan, said that the prisoner’s faith was inspirational.
Chan’s brother Michael spoke at the funeral, saying that Chan’s transformation in prison proves that people can change.
"People deserve second chances,” he said. Please don't let this be about Andrew and Myu (Myuran Sukumaran, another Christian executed in Indonesia) but about others all over the world who need your help.”
Chan’s wife, Febyanti Herewila, also spoke at the funeral, saying that she spent more time preparing for Chan’s funeral than their wedding. Herewila and Chan wed less than 48 hours before he was executed, according to Christian Today.
Herewila, who met Chan while ministering to inmates, said that Chan died singing “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman.
The song includes the words, “And on that day when my strength is failing/The end draws near and my time has come/Still my soul will sing Your praise unending/Ten thousand years and then forevermore.”
Publication date: May 8, 2015
