CANADIAN IDOL HONORS GOD by Doris Fleck

Kalan Porter was crowned Canada’s newest Canadian Idol

On September 16, after Kalan Porter was crowned Canada’s newest Canadian Idol eliminating 8,977 other singing competitors, newspapers across the country reported that his dream of musical stardom had been fulfilled. Nothing could be further from the truth. Months earlier, the humble 18-year-old from Medicine Hat, stood before more than 1,000 members of his home congregation, Hillcrest Church, and revealed his true dream. "He said it would be kind of neat to sing his favorite song, I Can Only Imagine, during the competition," divulged Randy Feere, pastor of worship ministries at the church. This powerful Christian rock song by Mercy Me unabashedly explores the wonders of what it will be like to meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Jeremy Knodel, associate pastor of student ministries at Hillcrest added, "Kalan’s request was that he would honor God in what he was doing on Canadian Idol…He wanted to not just use it as an opportunity for his music but use it to glorify God." Feere said the church prayed Kalan would be respected during the vocal competition, that he would make an impact on others and that he would have an opportunity to sing I Can Only Imagine. But no one realized then that Kalan would have to be in the top two before he would be allowed to pick a song of his choice, Feere laughingly explained. Kalan’s only opportunity to sing the song was "on the last night, when it makes the biggest difference," Knodel said. "That was so cool."

Although two of the four judges criticized his rendition of I Can Only Imagine, Feere explained Kalan encountered much more opposition than that. He was cautioned by producers from the popular reality TV show, that this song could offend some people and it might affect how many votes he would receive. They also suggested it might be more palatable for the viewers if he took out the word "Jesus" and replaced it with "Father."

But Kalan decided to sing the song the way it was written.

The next morning, the Calgary Herald quoted Kalan’s father Rick Porter as saying, "Despite the warnings of some people, I think (Kalan’s) words were: ‘If I start making compromises now – it will be a slippery slope.’

"We’re proud of him for sticking behind a tough choice," Rick continued. "I think it shows a lot of character."

Over 3.6 million Canadians voted the night of September 15, awarding Kalan the lion’s share of the votes and the Canadian Idol crown.

The sudden transition from being a college student and working on his family’s buffalo ranch to having thousands of screaming fans begging for his autograph can be a heady ride for the most grounded individual. Yet moments after he won, Kalan was thrown, like a sheep to the wolves, in front of a pack of reporters.

When asked about the overwhelming fan adulation Kalan replied, "It’s really strange for me cuz I really feel like the same normal average guy."

Minutes later, as Kalan signed his recording contract with BMG Music Canada, his father appeared from behind a throng of reporters and quipped, "Does this mean we have to get another hired hand on the ranch?"

Pastor Knodel admitted that Kalan has, "inspired this small town. Being humble and shy, he’s not all that dazzled by all the popularity. He doesn’t portray this superstar …he’s stayed very true to himself."

Although Kalan’s shyness, nervousness and humility were evident throughout the run of the TV show, he also exhibited a maturity beyond his years and an "old soul" understanding of the songs he was asked to perform from an earlier era.

His mother, Janet, confessed that Kalan’s musical talent began when he was a toddler. At 18 months of age her blond haired, blue-eyed baby was already humming parts of Brahm’s Lullaby. At the age of eight he began violin lessons and took classical voice from age 10 to 14. He has won numerous awards in violin and voice competitions and is also proficient on the piano, guitar and bass.

Lisa Zbitnew, the president of BMG Canada reported, "For a young man of 18, he shows such grace and confidence and real talent."

Feere said members of Hillcrest Church are committed to on-going prayer for Kalan. "He needs our prayer support that this would be part of God’s work in his life and that he would grow in his Christian walk through this."

Feere admitted Kalan’s impact on Medicine Hat has had some humorous spin-offs. Violin registrations at the local conservatory are up and Feere saw one young boy getting his blond locks permed so he would look like Kalan.

But he said part of Kalan’s maturity is that he’s not willing to be put on a pedestal. "He’s normal but he’s very disciplined and he does things with excellence."

Kalan will be in the studio working towards the release of his first album by December.