The East family’s Gabriel, Lodien, Paster Ashley and Lorelle with Jaco Beukes from DWR Distribution (far left).
Worship and Thanksgiving Tabernacle church, a beacon of light in Ennerdale, Johannesburg, has taken ownership of a Quest audio system comprising of two passive HPI111 high performance speakers powered by a QA2004 Quest amp, two AM450A self-powered stage monitors and a QA 3004 Amp, all supplied by DWR Distribution.
This Pentecostal church was established thirteen years ago by Paster Ashley East, his wife Lorelle Leoni East, and their three sons. The couple were leaders in another church in Eldorado Park for 18 years where they loved the ministry and serving God. On a particular day, driving home from church, they saw a familiar sight of young men sitting on a street corner. “Two of them had my interest and it came to me that while I was happy to be going to heaven, what would happen to them,” said Pastor Ashley. “And that’s how it all started. My message is that people will understand the love God has for us and how much He values us. When we know this, it’s easier to love others. People are broken and wonder where God is. It’s difficult to tell someone they must have faith and serve God when their stomachs are hungry, and so we also push with our outreach, Hands of Compassion, to assist with things like grocery parcels or clothing when needed.”
Lorelle is involved in the worship, loves attending shows and music events hosted by various churches in the area, and believes God has an amazing sense of humour! As a child, Lorelle spent so much time at church that she sometimes felt like running away. “I remember I dodged church one day, decided to go swimming instead, and that is where I met my husband,” she smiles. “We started the church thirteen years ago in our garage with just the family and my parents. Then we started evangelizing in our street and many of the congregation are still neighbours living on the same road.” Just before the Covid-19 pandemic, the church relocated to an old hall that now provides a setting for Friday night youth, Sunday services and any other meetings or studies during the week.
In charge of the music and taking care of the audio gear, Gabriel East, the couple’s son, works closely with music director Bokang Mohapi ‘Nat’, a musician who completed his studies at UNISA, works as a session musician, teaches music and has been instrumental in the church’s ministry for the past seven years. The musical instruments used on stage include a bass guitar, keyboard and drums. “I enjoy the praise, worship and messages in the church and I’ve seen growth in the youth and congregation,” said Gabriel. He says it’s a church where the door is always open to anyone and where love is sown.
“The church is not a congregation with lots of money, but we achieve great things all thanks to God,” said Gabriel. “In December 2019 I mentioned that we had to upgrade the speakers we had been using since the church’s inception.” The speakers were constantly being repaired and a power surge was the final straw. “I reached out to my sound engineering friends, who also regularly come in to help me set up my audio every three months, and Brent Moses recommended Quest.”
In January 2020, Gabriel and his mom attended a Quest demo with Jaco Beukes at DWR Distribution. “It sounded so nice, but funds were low, and we trusted God,” said Gabriel.
Close to two years later, in December 2021 just before Christmas, Worship and Thanksgiving Tabernacle received their new audio comprising of two passive HPI111, a QA2004 amp and new speaker cables. A couple months later in February 2022, their infantry grew with two self-powered QM450A stage monitors and their old subs gained new life with a QA3004 amp. Inspired by the sincerity of the church leaders, DWR Distribution supplied the QA2004 amp free of charge.
Quest Engineering, an Australian based company, has been at the forefront of professional audio over the past two decades, delivering tough, quality products to the global market. The HPI111 is a medium to high powered Asymmetric horn flare dispersion compact speaker system designed to project voice and music throughout mid-sized performance venues. It can be hung in small arrays or function as a stand-alone speaker system in mobile PA production with or without sub bass enhancement. Contained within the discrete HPI111 appearance there are a number of key technical innovations to improve performance in real venue environments.
The QM450A is the first speaker to utilitze the Hybridtec system. The QM450 delivers a full 450W RMS bi-amp output with a birch plywood timber chassis, designed to deliver optimal linearity in its passive form. The sonically superior output stage is composed of a generous abundance of output devices for greater electronic stability and sonic fidelity.
The Quest QA2004 and QA3004 have the ability to work hard in tough pro-audio environments. The units include industrial spec multi-speed fans and generous heat sink to keep the output stage cool.
“When I purchase something, it has to have the future in mind as our goal is to be relevant in ten years’ time and hopefully when we move into a bigger space we plan on building in the future,” said Gabriel. “The vocal range and clarity of Quest is something way better than what we’ve had before! The power these small speakers can push is unheard of.”
Pastor Ashely recently had a prayer meeting with a few pastors in the area, who he says were equally impressed by the sound quality. He adds, “We really appreciate the way Duncan Riley of DWR hosted us when we bought the first speakers. It was more than professional and there was a kindness of heart and a feeling of care that I really, really appreciate. While we appreciate the kit, the reception was much more valuable.”
With a love for music and a heart to reach people with the gospel, Lorelle concludes,
“What I like is that we attract people with music. Many people in the community struggle with poverty and drugs and the churches in the area run worship events where young people are encouraged to be involved.”