It was the summer of 1994. Sally had been blessed with a sweet 3 year old daughter and a new baby boy. She and her husband had recently purchased their first home and life seemed to be going great for her little family, until the day came when he returned home early from work to announce that he had lost his job. Devastated and fearing for her children, she found herself on her knees, crying out to God.
“If you are there God, please hear my prayers and reveal yourself to me!”
He did, by way of a small Anglican Church right around the corner from her home. She began feeling drawn there, pulled and steered in its direction. She started waking up particularly early on Sunday mornings without an alarm or a cry from the baby, which was peculiar because since she was a child, she had always been an extremely heavy sleeper. But it was as if God was calling her to church. Strange. After a few weeks of ignoring this call, she reluctantly attended a Sunday service to discover a great new world awaiting – loving neighbours,
whose faces she had seen on her walks with the children were welcoming her, comfort and peace from the scriptures and prayers that as a child she never knew to be the Bible, only that they read like beautiful poetry, and music – so much music. Her heart literally leaped with joy at the songs of praise being sung, like John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. She needed more. She found herself singing praise all the time; to the children, when she was alone, anywhere and everywhere, she just couldn’t get enough.
Only a few short weeks after she began attending this church, the Minister announced that they would be having auditions for an upcoming Christian musical. As a child Sally was quite shy but had a love of singing and dancing. When she was on stage, it was like the shyness stepped aside and made way for the passion that stirred inside her. She had grown up taking dancing lessons at a local recreation centre and performed in a few local community theatre productions but didn’t have the self confidence to pursue music as a career or take it seriously. And now here she was, hearing God calling her to audition for this show. Again, the gentle nagging and prompting stirred in her mind relentlessly, so consuming that she could barely focus on anything else. On the final day of auditions she found herself sitting in the pews, wondering why she was there, not knowing any of the praise and worship audition songs being sung and feeling so unworthy of the honour to perform in this Gospel musical. She was even battling a cold and was all congested and stuffed up. When the
minister asked whether there was anyone else who wanted to audition before they wrapped up, she felt her self rise and walk up to the stage, as if in a trance. She doesn’t even recall walking up to the stage, just all of a sudden being there.
What would you like to sing? The pianist asked. Sally froze in sheer terror!
The pianist began asking whether she knew this song or that hymn but with each song suggestion, Sally just shook her head ‘no’. She didn’t know any of those songs. Why was she even there?! On the verge of tears and feeling like a complete and utter fool, the Pastor softly approached and in a soft, loving voice asked if she knew ‘Amazing Grace’? “I think I know some of it”, she squeaked back, with a crack in her voice that was barely audible. ‘Ok, then go ahead and sing it. Anytime you’re ready’. The first sounds that escaped her lips were scratchy and weak. She even thought she heard a snicker coming from the audience in the pews but then, sometime overtook her. She closed her eyes in silent prayer as the power of God swelled and lit up inside her. What poured out was a voice so powerful, smooth, clear and strong that not even Sally herself knew was dwelling within her soul. When the song was finished, some of the people in the pews actually stood up in applause, smiling and cheering. Full of exhilaration, excitement and adrenaline, she felt like she had just won a triple marathon. The experience at the audition was Sally’s first of many encounters of being overtaken by the Holy Spirit.
From that moment on she knew that, no matter how much she loved to sing, nothing would ever feed her spirit and restore her soul like singing to God and for God.
Sally ended up landing one of the leading female roles, portraying Mary Madeleine. It was also this experience that spun the birth of her 10 original Christian music compositions that went on to receive international radio play (but that’s another story!).
Throughout the years, Sally has made some wise and not so wise decisions in her life. But one thing has always remained constant; her love of God and praising Him through music and song.
Sally (Zelda) O’Connor is a devout Christian who has been singing gospel for over 15 years and is open to sharing her love of Gospel music with you. If you’re looking for a vocalist to sing at your wedding, baptism, special event, or to share special music for your Christian church service, she would be honoured to join you. She does not have a set fee but rather, she is open to whatever gift you can spare. Her love of Gospel music widely ranges from traditional Hymns, Praise and Worship, Southern Gospel, and Inspirational, to Contemporary Christian and Christian Rock music. Regardless of your venue or event, Sally has the passion for God and the Gospel music repertoire to make it even more special.
