St. Charles IL

It was extremely sweaty in the gym as we arrived on the first night of a Junior High Retreat, which unusually, had a fairly decent turnout for a voluntary event. They were having games and songs as we set up and their youth minister Mike Zak definitely seems to be good at his job. We heard many of them had been on a summer camp together, so they already knew their faith can be fun.
They were well in the mood when it was time for our Evang-a-Ganza and knew the actions to many of the songs. They participated in various games and skits in between with great enthusiasm. There was a youth minister there from Algonquin, where we had been several years ago for a big youth rally. She said she was not able to enjoy it then because of so many details to attend to, so this was her first time to really appreciate the ministry. She also commented that for some of the younger ones this might have been their first real dynamic faith encounter, that they will always remember.

A group of High School peer leaders helped with the kids and also assisted Paul Bauer in the hot and hard work of setting up all the sound equipment and lights (He took the photos). I can't help but recall that Jesus said what you do for the least, you do for me.

McHenry IL

As the sun set on Peterson Park the stage was set for another EVANG-A-GANZA to both evangelize and celebrate life with joyful shouts of praise & worship.
The day had included Three on Three Volleyball, Soccer, Face Painting, Tie Dyeing, Games, Food & More. In addition, there were DJs, Art Work, Ultimate Party Band, From Exodus Band, and Rufus Tree. Speakers included: many priests at opening, Carrie Shannon, Mary Louise Curry, Cecilia & John Jelinek, Joe Weyers.
The teens present danced and sang and leaped in the air. I told them not many youth groups get a whole park for their youth meeting! Well done to Youth Minister John and wife Cecilia.

SOUL-ly FOR KATRINA

The Fundraiser at St. Williams in Chicago was to raise money for Katrian victims, many of whom are still in need a year later. The Youth Group raised their goal of $1000.00. WOW!!!
The evening began with an instrumental by three rock guitarists from the youth group, who put something together specifically for this event. They were followed by an instrumental on piano by another girl from the youth group. Then came our Evang-a-Ganza

COMMENTS:
* It was Stupendous a new way to Praise.
* It was really gooood.
* Todo Estu vo muy bonito y adema’s creofue todo lo pasamos bien. (Everything was beautiful, and everybody had a good time)
* Thanks for bringing such a worthwhile program especially for the Youth. Thanks for all you do!!
* It was Awesome
* I really like this. I might be 81 years old, but could we also try county music.
* What a blessing. Today a door has been opened here at St. Williams, PRAISE GOD!!!
* GREAT CONCERT!!
* EXCELLENT CONCERT!!!!!!!!!
* GREAT!! Keep up the good work for today’s youth.
* Maybe the Youth Group can take responsibility for one mass a month?
* QUITE MOVING!!!!!!!!!!!!
* AWESOME!!!!!!!
* AWESOME!!!!!!!
* It was AWESOME-TASTIC!!! (can this be a new word?)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE CONCERTS?
* The answer was unanimous!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Taj Mahal and Terrorists

One blog not exactly about ministry.... but at the end of our Indian mission, we decided to take two days in order to visit the Taj Mahal. We had been told it is necessary to go to Delhi then book a tour. That proved a little harder than anticipated, it takes many hours from Delhi, and we ended up hiring a driver, though he barely spoke English. Things were going fine until he turned off onto a small dirt road, and we thought this is where we get kidnapped and held for ransom! A road like this could not possibly be the way to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and we waited to discover what was happening.

Going through various tiny poor villages, it was like going back to a pre-industrial age, and we saw people living in mud huts and grass huts. At a certain point, a man stopped the car pretending to be a government agent, but really wanting us to pay him as a tour guide. Much shouting and arguing proceeded between he and our driver til we drove off, and various other men also kept standing in the middle of the road to try and stop our car.

After a while our driver parked outside an impressive red mosque and told us to get out, though clearly this was not the Taj Mahal! More arguing and shouting followed as others tried making a claim to our money and children attempted to sell us postcards and all manner of souvenirs. When we eventually got to the Taj, the same thing happened. However, it truly is a wonder of the world and was well worth the journey.

Next day we flew to London and as a couple of men in full Muslim dress stalked the cabin, I pondered about how it might be to get trapped in a terrorist hijack. A day or two later, the US Government issued terrorist warnings in Delhi and Mumbai. After day in London, we were all ready to fly home to Chicago when the announcement of the Terrorist arrests broke, and our flight was canceled. It really had the feeling of 9/11 about it, not knowing what was happening, or how and when we would get home. The next day we managed to rebook our flights and after many hours of delays, both before, at the airport, and on the plane, we did get home. London was allowing no hand baggage, and so it was a miracle our projector and computers arrived in one piece.

The next day I had been due at a wedding in Michigan but all this made the flight impossible. Next we hear Terrorists were planning to blow up the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan - what is happening?!

POWER 2006, INDIA

Our second mission trip to India, this time for Power 2006 Youth Conference, and possibly the best youth event we have ever been at. On our previous trip, we described the dedication of thousands of Indian Catholics praising God from 6:30am til 10:30pm at Divine Retreat Centre, but we had not encountered the Divine Youth. 1,500 charismatic young people from around India and even other parts of the world including Germany, Sri Lanka, and Asia, is quite something to experience! One group of boys was from a part of London where I once lived and a college I had spoken at.

They had brought in great presenters from Malta, Holland, Canada, and we led worship sessions on the early days, with one great Evang-a-Ganza on the final evening. Since our last visit, an Indian CD was issued called I WORSHIP, but really more like our American YES! album. A small group of teens from Bangalore called MERCY MINISTRIES said they had worked out dances for some of the songs, so I invited them to share their talents onstage, and many other young people came up and joined them also. Towards the end of the Evang-a-Ganza they were afraid the stage would collapse with so many people!

They bounced in the air and almost raised the roof singing songs like I WORSHIP and I'LL SING MY PRAISE over and over again. For the first time Art (aka Masheti Moses) did a rap as part of the event, using Hillsong's TELL THE WORLD THAT JESUS LIVES - another hit with the youth! I don't believe I have ever heard SHOUT TO THE LORD delivered with such enthusiasm and commitment, and it is hard to imagine if you were not there to be part of it.


Because the group was so large, I invited those from the back to come up onstage if they wanted to. Later one boy thanked me, saying he was feeling out of things until then. Another buy told me he was feeling suicidal but only the music got through to him in the conference. Among the Indian youth leaders, one man said the music gave his young people energy to stay awake for hours.... another said it made them digest their food well because it made them feel good (a compliment I never heard before!)

A couples retreat of about 1000 people was running at the same time, and I gave teachings on CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS as well a leading them in worship. We prayed for many people who were looking for healing, jobs etc. But I reminded them our Heavenly Father already knows what they need, so we should pray for His will to be done. Two priests from Germany said they had a feast not only aurally but theologically too!

Some of the Germans were reflecting upon why the Indians are so free in worship compared to Westerners. Perhaps it is because they are poor, and the poor shall inherit the Kingdom. Perhaps it is simply because they don't have so many things to stand in the way of Christ ruling their lives. Perhaps it is because the charismatic movement seems better established in the Catholic Church. One young speaker aged 28, a former muslim priest, told us the Quran records the miracles of Christ, the Virgin Birth, and that He will come again. No miracles or resurrection are described for Mohammed. During the conference, I was told one person was healed of leprosy, and their paper recorded about 40 other healings. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life!

We have received many e-mails since the conference and here are a few of the comments:

YOUR SONGS ARE REALLY SO GOOD THAT'S REALLY MAKING ME 2 FEEL TH LOVE OF GOD.

Your preaching was the most touching one.I still remember your scentence where you said that "We have to Change the World".i had read in hte catechism that the church has its doors open to all people and spreads the good news of christ to all mankind and thats what you are doing.so i am inspired to go ahead to the world and spread the good news of Christ to everyone.I could see in your heart a Missionary Zeal.Your praise n worship was not just music but it was the Lord himself coming to the place wand touching the hearts of all people.

Sal thanks to your awesome song it really keeps away from sin.

Your music is realy blessed by the lord in order to be a real praise. It's true that if god has given us each and every tune in the world why not praising him by using the music. Praise the Lord! I really enjoyed it

Your really amazing your song really placed in deep into our hearts your songs always remains in our heart

It was a wonderful experience nd since i luv listenin 2 rock,i totally enjoyed listenin 2 ur music.I think listenin 2 gospel rock wud make me wanna praise god in a betta way as its almost the same genre that i luv

This is dinesh from india, and my message is sal solo your are the best. god bless you.