LOS ANGELES, CA (ANS) -- My heart sank as the Andraé Crouch choir began singing the Crouch's gospel classic Soon and Very Soon (“We are going to see the king”) as Jackson's gold-plated, flower-adorned casket, was carried into the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, at the start of the his memorial service.

As the choir sang this wonderful song, I wondered if it was referring to Jesus or Jacko, who is known to his fans as “The King of Pop”?

It seemed to this wizened old hack that the wrong “King” was being honored here and it seemed rather tacky to me.

But despite this strange start, there were many highlights that are worth recording, and they came mainly from the African-American Christian participants who were certainly not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

Lionel Richie, for instance, gave a gospel-infused performance in front of a shaft of light evoking a cross as he sang with deep emotion, “Jesus Is Love.”

Bernice King

Then came the King children. Many years ago, actually it was in 1969, I was invited to St. Paul’s Cathedral to interview Coretta Scott King, the widow of the later Martin Luther King Jr., who was to speak at her memorial service at the great cathedral. In the home of Canon John Collins, where I conducted the interview, were all of her young children, including Bernice and her brother, Martin Luther King III.

So watching the two of them on stage before the 17,500 fans and Jackson family all sitting in the front row, I was moved to tears when Bernice told the story of how Michael Jackson called her mother in her room at a medical facility in Baja California, Mexico to offer encouragement during her last illness. (She died on January 30, 2006).

Bernice said that her mother couldn't speak because of a stroke, but listened as he talked to her by phone.

“She listened as he said to her he had been praying on his knees for her every day,” Bernice King said. He wanted to know what music was being played in her room, because of its healing effect. If he only could have seen the glow on her face.

“That day, Michael Jackson made our mother's face smile in spite of her condition. What an unforgettable moment. He was such a thoughtful and selfless man, full of the unconditional love of God and good works that touch and change lives.

“In remembrance of Michael, may we all be inspired to go and let our lights shine.”

The two-and-a-half hour memorial also included star studded speakers and singers such Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, Shaheen Jafargholi, Magic Johnson, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Usher and Stevie Wonder.

Michael Jackson

But the most amazing moment was a tear-filled message from his 11- year-old daughter Paris in the closing moments of the ceremony. She was flanked by her two brothers -- 12-year-old Michael Joseph and 7-year-old “Blanket” Prince Michael. It was a rare public moment.

“I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine! I just wanted to say I love him so much,” a crying Paris said before diving into Janet Jackson's arms.

Rev. Lucious Smith of Pasadena's oldest African-American church, Friendship Baptist, concluded this mainly remarkable and well-arranged Hollywood production when he read a final dedication.

“My prayer is that this will be more than a memorial to Michael Jackson but a remembrance of what he means to us,” he said.

Smith then asked the audience to join hands in solidarity and bow their heads, “if we are so inclined.” He ended his prayer “in the name of Jesus.”

With that, it was over and the crowds shuffled out of the Staples Center and the mystery of where Jackson will be finally laid to rest is still not resolved. Will it be Neverland or Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills? Soon and very soon, we should know the answer!

Dan Wooding, 68, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 46 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS); and US Bureau Chief for the Missionaries News Service (www.missionariesnews.tv) and Safe Worlds IPTV’s Faith, Hope and Charity channel. He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC., and now hosts the weekly "Front Page Radio" show on KWVE in Southern California and which is also carried on the Calvary Radio Network throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on UCB UK and Calvary Chapel Radio UK. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com.