Most know that I am a Worship Pastor, and most know that I conduct worship in such an unorthodoxical way that I am sometimes embarrassed when people ask about it. Why? Because I don't have a fancy band or even a team that I lead with. Nor do I play an instrument, and only have one voice that I can offer to the worship experience. How do I do worship, you ask? Well it's just me, my most wonderful sound team, and Vegas Pro. Vegas Pro? Yes, Vegas Pro, which happens to be a pretty amazing, quite impressive film editing software system. How do I use it? I make Videos! Yep you heard it, I take songs, with some type of moving background, overlay it with the lyrics, then render it into an HD video that we sing along with. Embarrassment colors me now as I think of your responses because, well, I've heard them all! Even from the most loving well-meaning friends, loved ones, and Christian bros and and sises! Ones like, wow, that must be hard, I will pray that God brings you a band soon, or -you know you'd probably find it more beneficial if you had a band, or -there is always- you know you can put an add on craigslist to find band members, and -my most fav of all- you should teach yourself how to play an instrument. Gulp! Yep! I know! I KNOW! I can have a band in a few days but that is not what the Lord wants me to do with this ministry right now. Right now, He has orchestrated in such a way that I am to make these videos, even on the occasions that I feel ashamed and inadequate, because He has a plan.
So here's the good part, a glimmer into God's holy plan, and I'm just giddy and have tears filling my eyes as I write! A pastor from Rwanda, Africa came and spoke at our church this weekend. He pastor's for Hearts for the World, an organization that not only brings the Word to very remote villages, but they also bring schools, wells, health care, food, clothing, and most of all Hope! So after the service, Pastor Steven is so moved by worship that he inquires about the how's of what I do, in his broken English, he is excited. So I try to explain the best I can, with a different kind of pride, a God-centered pride. He proceeds to tell me how he wishes he had something like this back home so that the people there could worship, not only in English, but to have the words (lyrics) to do so, as worship is a source of difficultly right now because of the many challenges.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because as I sit here making DVD's for Pastor Stephen -filled with all my vids- I cannot help but to be overwhelmed with the vision of hundreds of tiny African hands raised in worship belting out praise to their Savior, along with hundreds of women and men who will now be able to worship God, just as we do here in the states because of my, once a source of emotional confusion, videos. I am overwhelmed! God is so good, His plans are so perfect, and I couldn't help but fall to my knees in surrender, awe, and repentance for the ministry God has giving me to lead. I am a reformed doubter, and will keep my hopes in Him and my pride in check.
Thank you God for Africa and may the music you have blessed my little church with bless them beyond even my most wildest dreams! I am so honored and blessed to be apart of their hearts!
www.heartsfortheworld.org 
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