The funeral of executed Bali drug smuggler Andrew Chan, who became a Christian in prison and served as a pastor to his fellow inmates, was held at Hillsong Church in Sydney amid emotional scenes.
Chan was arrested in 2005 and convicted of drug smuggling, spending 10 years on death row before being executed by an Indonesian firing squad with fellow gang member Myuran Sukumaran and six others. They were singing the Matt Redman song '10,000' Reasons as they died.
The congregation packed Sydney's Hillsong Church, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. His brother Michael addressed the congregation and told them Andrew's experience showed that everyone could change: "Andrew, you used to say that you looked up to me. Now, little brother I look up to you," he said.
He added that he hoped the campaign that tried to save the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran would continue.
"People deserve second chances. Please don't let this be about Andrew and Myu but about others all over the world who need your help", he said.
Other tributes and recollections from family and friends were shared. Family friend Mark Soper read a final message from Chan himself saying: "It's a day that I'll arise from my own coffin right now as the words are spoken 'In Jesus' name, arise! Or am I just enjoying it too much in heaven and I await all of you up here."
The message included advice to "Treat each day as a diamond for each day is valuable as you can never buy it back. Learn to use it doing the things you love, spend it with the people you care for most because we just never know when we say goodbye."
Chan's message continued: "My last moments here on earth I sing out 'Hallelujah!' I ran the good race. I fought the good fight and came out a winner in God's eyes and men. I do have a story to tell, that story's determined by you all on how you witness me. Ask yourself: 'What did I leave with you?' That will determine my legacy. I leave now in peace and love, I pray that you will all know how I valued and treasured your love and friendship. As you all leave here today, who will you witness to today?"
Among the songs at the funeral were 'Amazing Grace' and '10,000 Reasons', which includes the lines, "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 for evermore."
Chan's wife Febyanti Herewila, herself a pastor, also spoke, saying that she had spent more time preparing for Chan's funeral than their wedding, which took place on the execution island of Nuskambangan less than 48 hours before his death.
She said that as he was led to the execution ground he asked God to forgive his executioners, and then prayed for Indonesia. The group of condemned men sang 'Amazing Grace' and then were tied to stakes. Herewila said they sang '10,000 Reasons' and managed to finish the first verse of the song, but halfway through the second verse the execution squad opened fire.
Chan's coffin was given a standing ovation as it left the church and purple and yellow balloons were released into the sky. His distraught mother Helen was supported by friends on either side of her.
