[Josh and Jhonny leading worship at W Wyman King Academy in Saluda, SC]

There are so many things that separate us...so many things that keep us apart from each other. We took a look at a few of these things with the students at W Wyman King Academy in April, 2009.

Jhonny shared a couple funny stories about how language forms a barrier between people. Like the time he was playing ping-pong with a guy in Pennsylvania, and the guy got a phone call, was on his way out the door, when Jhonny asked him (with his Hispanic accent) "are you leaving?" The guy responded, "No, I'm fourteen." After a few repetitions, some frustration, and a little translation they finally understood each other. Language can keep us apart from one another.

Cultural differences also separate us. Here Josh is illustrating the difference in personal space between cultures. It can be perceived as agressive and obnoxious to get this close to people in the US. But, if you keep more of a distance in other cultures, you can be perceived as aloof and uncaring.

We had the kids singing songs in all kinds of languages...everything from Spanish to Yoruba (Nigeria). They really entered in and we could tell that the students really have come along way in terms of openness and participation in the 3 years that we have been going there. 

Though the barriers are there, and effectively separate SO MANY people...the word of GOD in Ephesians 2 is clear:

 ¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

In an effort to help students personalize it, we took the chance to have some small group interaction and allow the students to process for themselves...we had some amazing discussions!

[Jhonny, Tracy (Proskuneo Board Member), and Josh]

I had the opportunity this week to teach a few classes and a workshop at Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. My host was the incredibly gracious, stereotype-breaker, witty educator Dr. Edgar Cajas. Edgar is the first person in all of Central America to obtain his doctorate in Music Education. I thoroughly enjoyed just being in the same room with him. He invited me to teach:

Theology and Practice of Multi-ethnic Worship

Worship Leading from the Guitar/Piano

Worship Across Cultures

as well as an all-day seminar for Hispanic Worship Leaders.

The most profound moment for me came in the first class I taught. Towards the end of the class (after laying the biblical foundation for multi-ethnic worship), we actually experienced it. I taught each section of the class the chorus of "King of Glory" in a different language.

Some sang, "King of glory...Lord Almighty...You are welcome here...You are welcome here"

Others sang, "Rey de gloria...Poderoso...Bienvenido Dios...Bienvenido aquí"

Still others sang in Korean, "Koruk Eh Wahng...Joo Eh Nung Yuk...Joo Keh Mah Kee Neh... (pardon my phonetic Korean spelling)

After learning each language, I invited them to all sing at the same time in their different languages. Then, we stopped and I asked them what they felt, experienced, what thoughts went through their heads...

Someone said, "I got this amazing realization that GOD understand all of those languages, and all the others going up around the globe, all at once."

Someone said, "it was beautiful!"

But another man, from Korea, said, "To be honest, I felt comforted. I try so hard in chapel here to worship God. But it is difficult because I am thinking about the words and figuring out what they mean or how to pronounce them. But, just now, I was able to worship...from my heart...it was comforting...and wonderful."

In that moment, we all were more keenly aware of the power and beauty and reason for multi-lingual worship. May HIS kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

  Last night, the full Proskuneo team gave a GLOBAL WORSHIP CONCERT at Roswell United Methodist Church as part of their annual missions conference. Here are some pictures, thanks to Marie and Bekah!

[whenever we get together, and each one does his/her thing, there is a sense of eager anticipation. what will happen? what will GOD do? how will HE move among us? Here we are learning a new song in practice before the concert.]

[the concert took place in their beautiful chapel...in the round, with people on three sides. The room was gorgeous, with great acoustics...but more important, the LORD's people were gathered together to worship...There were believers there from: Philippines, Canada, Kenya, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Dominican Republic, Russia, Korea, and of course, the USA.]

[one of the challenges of multi-cultural worship is the organization and keeping everyone on the "same page". We have found that a lot of that has to do with the media guys, especially powerpoint. What is on the screen at a Proskuneo concert is as revolutionary and impacting as what you hear. When was the last time you saw a song in 8 languages on the screen at the same time? Matt does a great job following the songs in whatever language they are being sung. No easy task...]

[here we are singing a brand new translation of "King of Glory" in Ki-Swahili. Jeannette, representing the Democratic Republic of Congo is right next to Josh (yes, that's him in the African shirt), leading out in this new translation.]

[our newest staff member, Karen Treu led out in sign language, and stretched us a little bit by giving a welcome and some facts about deaf culture all in ASL. She keeps her translator (Josh) on his toes!] Is this the end of the sign for "holy" ?

[Abraham, originally from the Sudan, reminded us that oftentimes, if we are not careful, we as Christians "shoot our wounded." However, we often need to be reminded that we are in this together. Here we were singing, "I will never fail. You will never fail. Because of Jesus, we will never fail..." in English and Arabic.]

[Shaun Wright joined us for the first time, with some powerful spoken word. "It's not about me, my preference, my groove...It's not about hands folded or hands raised...It's all about You."

[bass player, Neil Mison, originally from the Philippines, led us in worship a couple times with some instrumental solos. Beautiful things come out of him when he is worshiping with his bass guitar in hand.]

[it was good to have Isaac (originally from South Korea) back leading with us last night. here he is lifting up some sweet saxophone licks in worship.] 

[how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity...there GOD commands a blessing. We are blessed every time we get together. They had to kick us out of the building last night. :) We just enjoy being together. What will heaven be like when there are no time constraints! We are looking forward...]