Maryl and I had another incredible time with the City Church musicians, singers, choir and interns April 19-22. They have such a rich deposit of God’s presence and good solid teaching that it was easy to step in and explore the wonderful revelation of Jesus in worship. Thursday night was with the City Church worship teams (they have four campuses with four worship teams going every Sunday!) and choir. We focused on the ‘Royal Waste of Time’ we have in worship. Revealing Jesus and unlocking our faith in worship and song, every song is vital and every word comes alive (John 6:63). Leon Sandburg is the worship pastor, mentor and heartbeat of this great worship ministry.
Friday morning we had a fantastic time of worship and ministry with the City Church Interns (young adults from all over the world, gathered to learn and experience true ministry of Christ). For 3 hours we worshiped, sang, shouted and all the other things you do when you realize the very real presence of Jesus Christ among us. They were so receptive to the Word and His heart towards them. It is a joy and an honor to minister to passionate young people who truly want more of Jesus and can be challenged in the area of their heart position before God in worship. (God bless Jon Smith – my nephew – for his great and kind leadership with this group).
Saturday afternoon, we settled down again with the City Church worship teams, and studied the leading of the flow of worship and finally the new song. After giving them a good solid foundation of what God is doing and saying through His word in worship, we took the final 45 minutes and passed a mic around as over 30 people sang (many for the first time) what the Lord had given them (what He ‘put’ in their mouth – Ps.40:3). A little anxiety turned into great release as person after person sang songs that thrilled all of us. From simple to complex they were all powerful in their own way.
That night we put it all into practice with a great prayer/worship service lead by Pastor Gini Smith. Worship was strong but His presence and His song was pre-eminent and you could sense Him filling and inspiring hundreds of people. He is so faithful and consistent.
Sunday morning was an incredible array of administrative and creative talent as City Church has multiple campuses and services simultaneously happening around the Seattle area. We got to lead worship for the first two services at the Kirkland campus and then go over to Belltown (wow) in downtown Seattle to lead worship there for a delightful array of multi-ethnic people, totally in love with Jesus. It is so easy to lead people who jump in with great delight and the only hard part is stopping! In all the services, I taught and lead my nephew, Evan Earwicker’s song ‘Holy, Holy Lord Almighty’ which has a powerful prophetic sense of presence and prayer built into it. Another great song that is just hard to stop (see Revelation 4).
Overall, a wonderful, powerful and prophetic weekend that was delightful and ‘delicious’ in so many ways that we will always remember. Thank you City Church, Leon, Jon, Pastor Wendell and Gini and everybody else that made this such a memorable time for us and for His Kingdom.