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| KOREA PRAISE & WORSHIP FESTIVAL The News | The Concerts | The DMZ | The Artists | The Songs | The Stories | Photo Gallery THE WORSHIP EXPLOSION FESTIVAL I would have to say; after EVERYTHING that the Lord has allowed me to do in Christian Music, this 'Worship Explosion Festival' was the most Amazing Event I have ever seen in my life. People attending the Four Day Event were 'bathed' in Ministry from 9:00 in the morning until the 'wee hours' of the night; worshipping and praying and listening to 23 of the best-loved Artists in Christian Music including Ron Kenoly, Bob Fitts, Kent Henry, and many, many more (*see sidebar*). The days were filled with Solo Concerts by every Artist, while the Team Ministry Concerts in the Evenings were the focal point; which we are currently mixing and editing into two powerful CDs and two Videos to be released early next year. (Check the 'WorshipAlliance.com' website for updates!) THE CHALLENGES Whenever you follow God's Plan for your life (especially BIG PLANS), the enemy is usually not far behind! No one could have imagined the tragic events of September 11th. Beyond the horrific carnage and loss of human life, fear instantly gripped the world and armies around the globe leapt to 'High Alert'. The impact on International Security was immediate; especially at a 'sensitive' location like the Border with Communist North Korea... let alone flying overseas with a group of 49 people! As we boarded our plane in Los Angeles to fly to Korea, we were watching CNN reporting on the first Allied Bombing Raids in Afghanistan. As I opened the door to my Hotel Room in Seoul, the newspaper headline was there waiting... 'North and South Korean Army troops at 'High Alert' on the Border'; right where our Concert was scheduled to be held. The First Lady of South Korea, He Ho Lee, had asked us if she could give the 'Opening Greeting' for the Festival. A dedicated Christian, she is the wife of President Kim Dae Jung, the Nobel Prize winning Leader of South Korea. When Colin Powell named North Korea as one of the 'four major sponsors of terrorism in the world', Secret Service Force for the First Lady instantly had to be doubled. Because the National Memorial, the sites of three major Concerts, is adjacent to the largest American Army base in Korea, security was intensely tight. When our only two days of Rehearsal were completely 'rained-out', we had to convert my hotel room into a Rehearsal Room for all 23 Artists & Musicians... it was quite a site! THE CONCERTS But when it came time for the Opening Ceremonies, the clouds parted and the autumn sky was beautiful over Seoul. We were joined by many other gifted Artists from all over Asia,
The Concerts came together in a way only the Lord could have done! The Power of God took over from the very first Gong swell into 'Praise The Lord All Nations'. In the spots that we had no time to Rehearse, Jesus came 'shining through' with spontaneous songs by Kent Henry and Chris Bowater; and creative musical 'explosions' from Abe & Justo and The Band. In a tent behind the stage, we all prayed together before the first Concert, 'Lord we heard Your call, and we are all here; we listened to Your Voice and we carried out Your Plan to the best of our abilities... now we set everything at Your feet-- our songlists, our arrangements, our ideas, everything- we lay it all down before Your Throne... and we invite You Lord to send Fire from Heaven right now! Send lightening to ignite all our preparations! Burn away anything that isn't Your Will for this very moment! ...because our heart's desire is not for you to bless our plan; our heart's Desire is to be in the very Center of Your Plan!! So for the first three days of the Festival, in the midst of armed soldiers and with the political 'war of words' flying from Washington to all corners of the globe; we enjoyed the overwhelming presence of the Lord; the 'Joy of Jesus' and the Peace that simply went beyond all understanding. But nothing could have prepared us for the experience of 'DAY FOUR'; our Concert at the DMZ- the Border with Communist North Korea... =========================== |