Hope Academy – The Final

Bethan Over 18 winner from Wales

Susannah Under 18 winner from Ireland

Click here to view the photo gallery of The Final

The Final took centre stage at Westminster's Emmanuel Centre in London on May 10. Seven acts in the under 18 final and eight acts in the over 18 final performed on stage in front of their family and friends and the audience that came to make their vote count in finding a voice for the Persecuted Church through music and song!

As each final got underway, it was not clear who was going to win simply because each act had God's-given-talent flowing out of them as they performed. This resulted in the audience and the judges having a challenge to choose who was going to be a voice for the Persecuted Church.

After having an breath-taking first half, and a jam-packed 2nd half where the audience was entertained by MOBO nominee's Four Kornerz and a filmed message from Martin Smith of Delirious, Emma Owen from God TV announced the winners from each final!

The under 18 winner was solo artist Susannah representing Ireland and the over 18 winner was Bethan from Wales. Both winners with received a standing ovation from the audience.

So what happens next?

Susannah and Bethan are now going to have an amazing opportunity of travelling with Open Doors to Egypt. This trip will combine visting the world-famous sights of the Pyramids and River Nile with visits to local churches and meetings with the Persecuted Church – and of course, the chance to perform at concerts being arranged for Hope Academy. Egypt has the biggest Christian Church in the Middle East and is experiencing a great deal of persecution – especially those who have converted to Christianity from a Muslim Background. Every Christian should be aware of the scale of persecution being experienced today and this trip will certainly provide an insight into the needs of the suffering Church and how those needs are being met through the ministy of Open Doors.

But that's not all! Susannah and Bethan will get a recording of their best song with a music video, they will both feature on God TV – The Warehouse Project with Emma Owen and will have performance opportunities in the UK with Open Doors and Saltmine Trust.

The Hope Academy journey has only just begun. Not only are we looking to find a voice for the Persecuted Church through music and song we are also looking to release new talent into the Kingdom of God with all the other finalists and auditionees.