Worship Central Manila: The Beginning

Many thanks to all who attended Worship Central Manila at Megatent! It was truly a blessing to share the evening with all of you.

Worship Central may have come and gone, but Worship Central Manila is just taking off. After a year of relative inactivity (a period of reflection that, in hindsight, normally accompanies moments of grace) Worship Central Manila is, if not absolutely ready, then absolutely willing to renew the heart of worship in the Philippines.



Thus, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the National Coordinator for Worship Central in the Philippines, my good friend, and the i-Tim Hughes of the Philippines, Magoo del Mundo. Bro, we have quite a lot of work ahead of us, but the Lord couldn't have picked a fatter, er, finer man for the job.

Photo Credits:

Picture of Tim Hughes comes courtesy of Franz Manalo Photography.

Worship Central Manila 2009

During one of the teachings of Serviam Catholic Charismatic, Tita Bai spoke very movingly about the need to worship God in fitting ways. At times, this involves silence and reverence. At times this means breaking out into joyful, or even almost deliriously exuberant expressions of praise.

My good friends and avid Alpha enthusiasts, Tim Hughes and Worship Central, are visiting Manila for one night only on May 21. Their worship team will include my good friends, and survivors of Worship Central Mindanao, Magoo del Mundo, and Peewee Vivas.

Last week, we hosted the Healing Mass of Father Nelson Osorio at Megatent. This week, we're hosting healing of a different sort: through praise and worship. And so, I would like to invite one and all to come and be blessed. Let His praises ring!

Worship Central Mindanao 2009

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.

A Heap of Thanks!

I am sorry for the lack of activity in this blog of late. I just completed a wonderful trip to Mindanao, where we conducted Worship Central seminars in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro and a medical mission in Barangay 23, Cagayan de Oro. Many thanks to Dr. Benie A. Sy, Atty. Olet Cabrera, the Regional Alpha Office, the ever-enthusiastic Alpha volunteers from Bukidnon, and the indefatigable Bgy. Captain Joshua James Frias. Don't worry, I'll be able to detail our adventures online once I've dealt with the work that has piled up in my absence.

In the meantime, allow me to share one of the fruits of my Mindanao trip, via my ministry buddies:



More often than not, the clarity of the message, the purity of the intention, and sheer beauty of the execution of great art helps me understand how all things on God's green earth can be an opportunity for sanctity. Thanks guys!