From punching and kicking to praise and worship
This morning, our ministry sempais and senseis took a large step outside of their comfort zone and led praise/worship at todays’ NHPC church service. What started as a passing thought when members were talking story after a training session some months ago, ultimately became reality, powered by His spirit and our obedience. In that fateful discussion, someone noted how most of our senior members played various musical instruments and enjoyed singing. We laughed about creating a “karate ministry worship band”…but the joke was on us. As I was talking with Pastor Nando at Men’s Ministry early one morning and shared our “joke”…he immediately invited us to do so one Sunday, and asked for a date. And so it evolved that we actually committed to leading P/W one morning, early in 2006…during the two-week window that Sensei Trish would still be home for winter break (we’d definitely need the first two weeks of her break (late Dec) to do some practice). Sempais Doreen and Robert generously opened their home (complete with sound room) to our wannabe band and provided great snacks and hospitality. All band members were timely and tried to make it to practices during this holiday season. Everyone was [...]