My best friend, fellow ministry worker, and the only member of the Worship Central Mindanao Team to be officially recognized as both a proper noun and a verb, Ralph Lumo, shares his wonderful experiences in both Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon:
Worship is a form of communication with God. This is only possible when one is open to having a relationship with Him. Its expression is through song, music and exultation.
During National Director John Borra’s last visit to Mindanao, he brought with him Magoo del Mundo of Worship Central and members of the Building Bridges Band in order to conduct worship seminars at Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City.
Arriving in Malaybalay at mid-day, the band conducted a seminar for the Youth Alpha members and Adult Alpha. After singing songs of praise and worship and a brief introduction on worship, the band then split the group according to their musical interests.
1. Micah del Mundo conducted a vocals workshop
2. Brian Abenejo tutored piano and keyboard players
3. Pee-wee Vivas taught those who played (or were interested in) guitars
4. Randell Garcia mentored the drummer.
By late afternoon, the hills of Impalambong echoed with voices and sounds of praise and it was with heavy hearts that the group had to depart for the next leg of the seminar.
After coming back from a successful trip to Malaybalay, Bukidnon; the Building Bridges Band were psyched to continue their efforts and proceeded to conduct the second of a series of worship seminars.
The whole day seminar and workshop was held at the Alpha Regional Office and Training Center. There were over 50 participants from different groups and parishes namely: Kahayag sa Diyos community, San Antonio de Padua Parish, People of God community, as well as members from various local bands and music groups.
Like all Alpha activities, we began the day with prayer and worship. The Training Center could barely contain the outpouring of praise and it seemed that the entire building was shaking to its very foundation.
As the group settled down, Magoo shared his knowledge and experience of worship. It was clear from the questions and reactions that there is almost a universal theme both with the positive aspects generated by worship and the negative perception regarding some of the more modern instruments being used by the younger generation of worship leaders: worship should always lead us to praise God.
For the workshop, the band once again divided the group according to their musical interests. It was quite clear that the participants who came from different parishes and communities were excited. Several brought their own instruments. All were eager to learn from the lively facilitators, as well as willing to share their experience in worship. Because of the number of bass players in attendance, Magoo had to teach a workshop with the bass.
Late in the afternoon, the participants all gathered together as the Building Bridges Band showed them how the different aspects of prayer, music, and band dynamics discussed earlier come together in worship. To cap a very fruitful exchange, everyone sang their hearts out in worship as another day ended, this time with new understanding and knowledge, the promise of new and exciting things to come.
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