Saturday, August 10, 2013

March - July 2013 Update!!!

Transition to any new place from Lonavala, no matter how short the tenure, is always difficult. The very thought of leaving behind the place and people who nurtured and helped you grow in maturity, is not easy. But this move to Shillong to staff the School of Humanities and Science was something I deeply desired. Now looking back at my time with the school there – the learning, the responsibilities and the relationships, it has been truly rewarding and I know that this season was definitely from God.

The School of Humanities and Science was led by Denny John. We had 8 students from 3 different nationalities. We had an impressive line-up of speakers from all over the globe come to teach in the school. The students and staff were constantly challenged in their understanding and living out of what it means to “know God, His word and His world”. I had the privilege of teaching on “Songs, Songwriting and the Bible” during one of the week. I personally enjoyed studying what the Bible has to speak to songwriters and musicians of all ages to be creative, excellent and relevant to their audience they speak to. Christian faith and mission throughout history has been marked by Incarnation and Transcendence in most of the cultures where the gospel is taken to. Songwriting and music and its interaction with the church have also been impacted by this. It was pure revelation to trace this alchemy throughout church history and see the good and bad of it down till our age.
HAS 2013 @ YWAM Shillong

Now I am back at UofN Lonavala, India with a desire to strengthen the training here. For the upcoming season I will be co-leading the School of Worship (SOW) with a dear friend and colleague of mine. We’ve begun with the preparations and I am excited and looking forward for another season of experiencing God’s “GLORY, BEAUTY & HOLINESS” and hopefully a euphoric season of writing new songs together with a new bunch of musicians and worshipers.

I earnestly ask your continued friendship, prayers and wisdom for the upcoming season as I co-lead SOW and also for my teaching engagements with different YWAM schools in India.