A Worshipful Heart

Thanks, Wendel!

Tonight I'd like to introduce to you my friend Wendel Saboia da Silva. He will be another of the greatly talented worship leaders that will serve our family at The Brook during my sabbatical time. He is currently serving as a worship leader in Faith Factory, our children's service on Sunday. Wendel shared a little about how he came to be a worship leader and how he came to the States. Just last week he became a U.S. Citizen! Congratulations Wendel! I know those of you at The Brook will enjoy Wendel's worship leadership. He has such a passionate heart for God to go along with his beautiful voice and great ability as a guitarist. Read on for more from Wendel himself.....

I lived my childhood with my parents and younger brother in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Before I could even speak Portuguese, my favorite pastime was singing to my mom's hair customers - especially since these ladies loved to bring me chocolate candy bars for my art! I grew up and when I was 11, I lost my recently converted mom, and brother as the consequence of an accident.  Adolescence was not the greatest, and I spent hours singing with my uncle (who could play the guitar). This was one of my favorite hobbies then - along with playing soccer, volleyball, and learning how to play some guitar to accompany my passion. When I graduated from high school at the age of 17, I moved to the USA so I could learn English and take some time away to ponder and get some answers for the big questions of life. After some serious searching, I found the One Answer that fills and holds the universe and at that time I gave my life to Jesus Christ. (thanks to my former pastor and his wife's prayers to find someone to lead worship at the newly established church) At this little part Brazilian, part American, part Hispanic church in Miami, I started learning scripture, and leading worship in Portuguese, English, and Spanish (I led worship since the third time I went to church, learning songs right before the service started - I still can't understand why I accepted that task then!!!). In one memorable moment during the bible study closing prayer, God spoke profoundly to my heart, showing me that before she passed away, my mom had prayed that I would become a musician - a Levite at the house of God, and that He was calling and anointing me for the task.

As the time passed, I got into school where I majored in first E-Commerce, then Computer Engineering, and my time was committed to church, school, and work - a time of much grace and hard work, when my comfort and best times of the week were found during the Friday and Sunday service worship times. Now, after 10 years of growing spiritually and scholastically, I got a job here in Huntsville - in December 2006 - with Boeing as a software engineer and believes that this is part of the blessing and direction which God has had in store for me.

As a worship leader, I like the intimate type of worship songs... prayer songs, songs which carry lyrics that directly express love, gratitude, and awe towards God... and in corporate worship, I love to experience moments where the congregation is united in abandoned adoration.

"It is awesome when God's Holy Spirit comes down upon and touches His people during corporate worship, and seeing that is one of my passions. My other passion is to inspire lead others to find the hidden pearl, since I believe that it is in moments of intimate encounters with God - yes, in the secret place - that a true worshiper will find his/her greatest gift, to know and be transformed by the heart, face and presence of God."

 

Favorite psalm: 27

Passage: Romans, chapters 7 & 8

Inspiring people from the Book: Jesus (of course), Joseph, Caleb, Daniel, and Paul

Book: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven - the life of Rich Mullins

Inspiring preachers: Smith Wigglesworth, Bob Coy

Christian Music: Steven Curtis Chapman, Hillsong Australia, Rich Mullins

What a Wonderful Day!

Yesterday was a wonderful day! It was a privilege to gather so openly with our church family and be an eye witness as they celebrated our Risen Savior and proclaimed His victory! From the opening video til the ending prayer each service was filled with joy and excitement - there was just a buzz in the air. As I stood on the stage to lead in worship I saw friends engage with God and there is not a more beautiful sight in all the world! With all of our hearts and beings we joined together to proclaim, "He is Risen Indeed!". What an honor to be a part of that!

I love leading worship on Easter because people do seem to come with such great expectancy. It's like they are sitting on the edge of their seats just knowing God is there to move. They have not only this human expectancy, they have faith that He will meet with them. That longing, expectant heart opens us to the move of the Spirit of God in a fresh way. We don't just come to church, we come with the anticipation that God has something special for us!

I believe that this explosion of joy in our services yesterday was partially due to this expectancy and anticipation we all brought when we came to worship. Yes, we worked hard on these services. But I think that - much more than that - it is our openness to God as we come, our sure faith that He is there with us longing to touch us, and our absolute determination to worship that brought such a PASSION to these times of worship. We were focused, we were fully present, we were all engaged and we longed to hear from God. God is always with us when we gather together to worship Him, He is indeed always working. But it is my experience as a worship leader that when worship times are "powerful" it's because we as Believers are worshiping wholeheartedly! We aren't watching others, half asleep, thinking about anything else - we are FULLY PRESENT with God and with one another. That is what makes worship memorable and powerful. Please don't misunderstand me. It is WHOLLY the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit that moves and works within us. I just know that many times we are unaware of God's presence, we are simply clocking time, we are on auto pilot as worshipers. When we are fully engaged and purposeful in our worship we open a door for God to move in an extraordinary way. Our hearts are open, we are ready and we become a willing vessel for God to work with. With this attitude we participate with God in His purposes! That's what we experienced at The Brook yesterday morning. Praise God!

I felt that yesterday's services were not so much "led" as "facilitated". There was a constant participation in all elements. I never felt like our congregation just sat and observed us "doing our thing". During worship they cheered, clapped, sang, raised their hands, cried. During the testimony that was given I saw so many tears of joy and compassion, and yes, probably understanding. There were warm smiles and encouraging looks as people affirmed - "yes, that's my love story too!". During our special music and even in our moments of transition, people responded to God. Some people simply sat and wept, or sang along. Others stood to their feet to proclaim with us, "My God is Mighty to Save" or to say to the world, "Yes, I am Redeemed!". I saw people move in very worshipful faith. Those were moments of participation as people responded TO GOD, not just to us and any promptings we gave. The worship simply flowed like a rushing river, all around the room, from heart to heart and up to God. We each gave something special to our time of corporate worship. I know it was a sweet offering to Him as we did this TOGETHER for His glory.

A big shout out to my family at The Brook! I love you all and loved sharing Easter with you once again. Thank you for letting me serve you in this way - it was a great joy and honor. Thank you to the many, many people who sang, played, preached, cleaned, built sets, handled lighting, slides, sound, served coffee, directed the service, greeted, ministered to our children and did so much more!It was good to have so many participate together.

On a personal note, it was wonderful to have my Mom and Dad with us, as well as having my daughter Maria home and at church with us. I sat with almost my entire family on Easter! That was really great. I loved being together with all of you!

Hope your Easter was blessed!

Good Friday - Stop and Remember

  Easter is fast approaching. Our team has spent weeks preparing worship and special music, service elements, staging and lighting, videos and a sermon that we pray will penetrate the hearts of those who attend. We have worked and planned so that the message of new life in Christ is very clear. We've prayed for others and the services and we've worked. But the question that so resounds in my heart tonight is how ready are WE, in our heart of hearts, to lead out on Sunday morning? We've prepared our music and our environment but have we prepared OURSELVES? We may feel physically prepared, technically we have thought through all of the details - yet it niggles in my heart that perhaps we have stopped short in our preparations.

Have we stopped long enough to thoughtfully consider the death of Christ on our behalf? I don't mean a quick "thank you" but a truly quiet moment where we stop, we sit, we absorb, we give thanks, we confess, we deeply consider the pain and darkness that had to occur. Have we been horrified lately that someone DIED for US? Without remembering the death, we cannot truly celebrate the resurrection. Without initial "defeat" there is no victory. Without the seeming triumph of sin and darkness in our life there is no new life in Christ Jesus. And while we all like to party more than we like to mourn, I think that some grief over the cost of our sin, over the suffering of our Savior, is appropriate as we approach the celebration of Easter morning.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. Take some time to stop and remember - to stop and say "thank you" - to stop and be overwhelmed by the goodness of the cross of Christ. This will be the focus of my sabbath tomorrow - revisiting the Way of Suffering of my Savior. Join me in taking some time in sober and respectful reflection. Then may your celebration be truly joyous on Sunday.

When Jesus rose from the dead, the women arrived at the tomb first on that morning. The words spoken to them that continue to strike a chord deep in my heart are these: "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" Jesus lives indeed - inside each one of us who is called "Believer" and forevermore in victory! May the wonder of the cross and resurrection never leave us.

Josh Britt, Man of Many Talents!

One of my favorite worship leaders is Josh Britt, who serves as the Minister to Students at The Brook.  While most of you know Josh as a student minister, a great leader, and our "minister of information and offerings", a lover of baseball, the Louisville Cards and all things bling, he is also a very gifted worship leader. Before coming to The Brook he led worship AND was a student pastor. Obviously, Josh is a talented man! During my time of sabbatical, Josh is one of the worship leaders that will minister to the congregation at The Brook - and this will be such a blessing to our church family. (he has promised no rap worship music) As I considered this time of sabbatical, Josh has been one of my biggest supporters - offering encouragement and understanding. He offered immediately to share the worship leading duties. Throughout the five years I have known Josh he has consistently modeled a servant heart and a willingness to help out where needed. I know that his tender yet passionate heart for God will challenge you to worship with all of your heart!

Josh grew up in Lousville, Kentucky and is a big Cards fan. He played baseball in high school and received his B.S. in Business from Mississippi College. He is very close to completing his Master's Program with Southeastern Theological Seminary. He is married to Michelle, who is also one of our worship leaders. Josh and Michelle have two precious, yet active, twin boys, Jonathon and Nate and are expecting another boy in July.

Josh is a man after God's own heart. I've seen him make difficult decisions, walk lovingly through hard times, reach out to people in need, and care deeply for our students and our church. As he leads worship I know that you will see his heart for God and be encouraged.  The biggest gift he brings is his desire to see God glorified! Josh is passionate about the glory of God! I know God will speak to you as you worship with Josh. As I've said more than once, we are so blessed to have Josh Britt at The Brook! Thanks, Josh!

Things Learned from Unleash

Here are a few of the many things I learned from attending Unleash this past week:

1) When you travel together you learn so much about your fellow staff members - maybe too much?

2) A lack of sleep lowers our inhibitions! We giggle more and generally act sillier than normal. We have wild and weird conversations, but we are also a bit more open to one another.

3) Perry Noble is a very BLUNT preacher - he is not afraid to say what needs to be said!

Now onto the serious points - most of which were great reminders for me!

1) Elementary perhaps, but we need to make a point to SEEK GOD TOGETHER.

2) We must guard our hearts against JEALOUSY, STUBBORNNESS, FEAR, PRIDE and deal with our INSECURITY so that God can do MUCH MORE through us. Don't "what if" God.

3) Pay attention to God's word for US and move forward with passion and boldness!

4) Prepare your volunteers well - give them chances to succeed and don't be afraid to CHALLENGE them.

5) We need: more lights and new projectors and screens, a volunteer and assimilation coordinator, a technical lead for all sound, lights, staging, and video for the worship center, and the upcoming student and children's areas, and we need assistants galore! Whew!

6) We must figure out WHO WE ARE and then communicate that vision clearly and over and over and over again so we all can KNOW it and OWN it.

7) We need less announcements in the service and more reading of the bulletin and website!

8) We need to continue to be LEARNERS so that we will never stop growing personally!

9) If we are called we cannot quit. Tough words at times.

10) Have a mentor.

11) Rest and respect your limits. Minister out of the fullness of being with God and a well rested and healthy mind and body. We can't do it all - to think we can is prideful.

Can't wait til next year!

Off to the Unleash Conference

Well, as of 9:30 am tomorrow the staff at The Brook is off to the Unleash Conference at NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. It's sold out so we are really pumped about getting in this year thanks to a generous gift from one of our church members. Almost all of our staff is getting to attend and we're looking forward to learning, laughing, and growing together. Aaahhh....12 hours in the car in two days! I can't wait! Seriously, I am so excited. I love conferences because what I learn keeps me fresh and always thinking about what God might have for us down the road. I think being exposed to other churches keeps us from settling and helps me to dream new dreams or even remember the dreams God has planted deep in my heart that I've not seen come to fruition yet. Being with others in ministry reminds me that the church of Jesus Christ knows no physical bounds and is far greater than our little group in Madison, Alabama. It reminds me that we are a part of The Kingdom and we all have one purpose and goal! It is encouraging!

I love the words on their logo: Unboring, Undignified, Uncensored, Unabashed, Untypical, Unbound. These are all words that describe what I want ministry at The Brook to be! These are all words that describe what I long to be! In fact that is my prayer for myself as I attend, that God will do a work in my heart and life that will allow me to become all of the above and that The Brook would become those things too! (I know everyone around me is rejoicing and praying that I will be unboring but may be scared to death that I would become even more undignified or uncensored!) I have grown so weary over the years of being limited by my own or other's fears. I want to be different so that I really shine with both the life and light of Christ. I want to be able to speak boldly and truthfully and lovingly with courage and compassion. I don't ever want my life or ministry to be limited because of ME. So I guess my prayer is that God would set me free as I approach my 10 year anniversary at The Brook. This conference seems like a great place to start as we examine these topics.

Please pray for our staff as we go. It has been a really TOUGH two years for them and we need this time together to be refreshed and also re-energized and bound together. This will be good for us and we really ask for your prayers - for us as we travel, learn, interact with one another, and for our families as well.

Pray that we will come back....Unleashed!

Debbie's Retreat Experience

I wanted to post one last blog on the retreat and let one of our long time altos, Debbie B. share with you about her own experience on our praise team retreat. Debbie is one of the friends who so lovingly prayed with me on the retreat. She's been a member of Wholehearted for about 5 years. Here are Debbie's thoughts:

"When Jan asked me to write something for her blog I quickly agreed, and then thought, what does the Lord want me to say?

The retreat is such a special time for me.  I always come away physically and emotionally exhausted, but spiritually refreshed every year and this year was no exception.

Due to several heart wrenching events in my life in the past few years, my heart was extremely saddened and lonely.  Through some exercises that we were led through during the retreat, the Lord told me that I needed to be still, stop the busy-ness and listen to what He had to say to me. 

He told me that He wanted to restore my joy, but there was some buried emotions that I needed to deal with, hurts that I needed to face and work on resolving, which for me is a very tough thing to do.  I am the consummate golden retriever, I don't like change or conflict (especially with myself), and serving others is what I do best.  But, I've discovered that I haven't been taking care of me, and I really need to start doing that.

I'm in for a journey but God is good.  He's given me a wonderful circle of friends and a supportive family to help me along the way.  God has blessed me and I am anxious (and a little scared - remember I don't like change) to see what He has for me.  But I love and trust Him and I know that He loves me.  So here I go..."

Meet Worship Leader David Smith!

This is part three in my series of blogs answering the question "Who will lead?" while I am away for my sabbatical. I would like to introduce you to my friend David Smith, who regularly fills in to lead worship for me when I have to be absent. He has been a member of Wholehearted for about 6 years now. David is a jack of all trades - he has sang tenor, lead, led worship, led our vocalists, led discussion groups, written music, and even played djembe for us! David hails from Franklin, Tennessee and is a computer engineer at his "day job". He graduated from Mississippi State University. He is married to Nancy and they have two children, Callie and Nathan. Along with the many hours David puts in with Wholehearted, he also serves as a member of our Management Team and also as a Life Group leader at The Brook. David is a busy man!

While I am away, David will continue his role as our vocal team leader and he will also lead worship several Sundays. I love to sit in when David leads worship because he has a very different perspective from me and it's just fun to hear him share his insights as he leads. David will also serve as our team "pastor" while I am away, handling emergencies and helping Sheila and Michelle if a problem should arise. As talented as David is in so many areas, the thing that most defines David is his heart for God and his heart for people. This is what I noticed about David in the first couple of years we worked together. He just genuinely cares about people and their lives. This "shepherding" gift makes him a wonderful team leader. If you are from The Brook, you will be blessed as you sit under David's tender yet humorous leadership! I know God will speak to you.

I am so thankful that God's plan for my life included the remarkable David Smith. He has been a faithful friend through the years, listening with a loving heart and always caring what is going on in my life. I am blessed to serve shoulder to shoulder with David. Thanks David!

Communion Two Ways

I wanted to share one more particularly sweet moment - for me personally - from our praise team retreat last weekend. I had decided to do our communion service a bit differently this year. God kept impressing on me the idea of communion being both with God and with one another so that is what I emphasized. We worshiped together and I shared these two ideas of communion as the purposes of our "Leaving Service" on Saturday. Have you ever considered that we cannot fully celebrate the body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ without also remembering that now WE are the body of Christ. God is not honored (in my opinion) when we forget the very words of Jesus that THIS is how the world will know that we are disciples of Christ: by our love for one another. Jesus even goes so far as to say that we are to "love one another as I have loved you". (John 13) This is not a mere tolerance, but a joyous love, a love that celebrates differences that make us so unique as individuals created by God Himself. This is a patient love that believes the best and seeks to serve others. This is a love that requires a pro-active commitment and faithfulness to one another. This is the love that does not give up but is determined to love and give. Ouch. Does that hurt you? It hurts me. In the face of Christ's love for me I cannot help but realize how shallow my own love for my brothers and sisters in Christ can be. So as we considered this aspect of communion - the celebration of the body of Christ here on earth today, I asked them to begin communion in a slightly different way. Where we had lit the candles the night before to confess our sins and invite God's presence into the dark places of our lives, in that moment I invited them to light a candle as they prayed for someone on our team. The prayer is the same - that God would illuminate their heart with the presence of the magnificent Holy Spirit. Although it was a bit slow to begin with, as God moved on hearts a miraculous thing occurred. I saw people light a candle then go to a brother and give them a hug. We saw people go up together and pray over something that they obviously had been sharing. Brother to brother, sister to sister, friend to friend - all around the room we saw God touching lives through the physical touch of another believer. Tears were shed as healing begin to come. We became the presence of Christ to one another. (Doesn't He indwell every believer?) And the prayer altar became more and more full of light, and we were able to SEE our prayers for one another. That was so encouraging!

We then moved to communion with God, but we approached it in the context of community with one another, remembering that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper while He Himself celebrated the family meal of Passover with His disciples, His friends. I so wanted to serve my team so I just invited them to come to me when they were ready (we were in a time of worship). As I had the special privilege of looking into each of my friend's faces, I reminded them that "This is the body and blood of Christ, given for you. His body was broken, His blood was shed to make you the beautiful new creation in Christ that you are today." I will never forget those moments - moments of sharing the meal of remembrance, sharing the joy of new life in Christ, sharing the acknowledgment that we once were dead in our sins but now we live forever with Him, moments of praying for one another. Some people humbly knelt with me. Others sat down like we were really enjoying a meal together. Some wrapped their arms around me and tears coursed down their face as we thanked God together for our new life in Him and His amazing love. Some came as couples, and some as groups. This was one of the most meaningful moments I have ever had as a minister - to serve the ministry team I lead in this way. And as I layed my hands in prayer on each team member, as I looked into the eyes of those I love so dearly, I was reminded again that Christ is present in all of us who believe.

God had an additional blessing in store for me that day.  Sheila came to me and asked if she could serve me and I got to be served communion by someone who cares and loves me very much. She prayed over me and I felt God's Spirit move in a mighty way. Then the ladies who had come with us to cook and care for us came to me and asked if they could serve me as well. (Stacy, Lori and Pam) They gathered around me and - as they had served me all weekend - they served me once again through the sacred meal of communion and their love and prayers for me. I felt so incredibly loved - not only by my team, but by God Himself, His presence was with us in a powerful way.

Serving one another in communion reminded me of the concept of washing one another's feet, which I have never done. I can imagine it would be quite humbling for all concerned. That is what I felt that day - just a sense of great humility. I serve you, you serve me. I felt as if we truly functioned in community that day.

I have been reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, Life Together. In it he makes these observations about Christian Community:

"It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone. They know that visible fellowship is a blessing. …..the physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer…..The prisoner, the sick person, the Christian in exile sees in the companionship of a fellow Christian a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God. Visitor and visited in loneliness recognize in each other the Christ who is present in the body; they receive and meet one another as one meets the Lord; in reverence, humility and joy. It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God..."

That morning we each received this gift of grace......abundant and overflowing. I am so thankful for the friends that I stand and kneel with and do ministry with each week. God has blessed us with the gift of one another.

Keeping My Own Day of Sabbath

One thing I have felt God speaking to me as I have sought how to gain some balance in my life is to begin to have a regular day of Sabbath rest each week. Please pray for me and support me as I begin a new phase of my spiritual journey - making time each week to focus on being with God, my family and and doing things that feed my soul and help me care for myself. This will be very difficult for me, so pray for me to honor God in this way.

While I am taking this first set apart day I WILL NOT:

1. work - housework or ministry work

2. run errands that I do not enjoy

3. check email or go online

4. answer the phone unless it's my family - so leave me a message!

5. use it as a "catch up day" - whatever i have not finished will simply have to wait

However I WILL:

1. enjoy being with God and take my time and linger in my quiet time

2. do some spiritual reading and listen for God's voice and journal what He says to me

3. go get a massage

4. eat something I enjoy and savor it - maybe i will take phil out to eat!

5. enjoy having a healthy body and spend some time exercising and stretching

6. maybe take a nap

7.whatever i do i will take my time and enjoy it

I wish I had said this but I didn't. To quote Anne Jackson, author of "Mad Church Disease":

"Rest bound together the incomplete to the complete. We cannot be dependent on ourselves and dependent on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest unnecessary, we also will inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God."

Well said, Anne. Check back Saturday to read my last retreat post......