Main Event 2oo6

I can't think of anything more terrifying as a musician than a room filled with hundreds of jr high and high school kids filled to the brim with cynicism and skepticism. An entire generation and room full of faces that seem to stare at you, daring you to impress them.

But this weekend I was ready for them. Or at least I thought I was until I saw the stage set up for the youth conference we were leading worship at. It wasn't large really... compared to a KISS concert. But faced with a quater million dollars worth of lighting equipment and at least that amount in sound gear, my palms started to sweat slightly and thoughts of "What exactly did I say yes to again?" started creeping into my head.

I felt muddy, a bit adrift, like I found myself in the middle of a Joseph Conrad novel.

But then, as I'm finding is most often the case in worship music, something so incredible and so beyond myself happened...

The room started to fill not just with people, but with a sense of anticipation, of excitement. The book of Isaiah says us that God moves in the hearts of his people. The night, the entire weekend became so much more than lights, sound and a band for me as I stood watching it all from backstage. Worship is about God and Us. There was no more notions of me or of I that night.

Also, it's hard to focus on yourself when singing with a 90 person choir & ensemble...
If anyone reading this ever has the opportunity this year to see the CIRCLE production team perform, do it. They opened with the most intense stomp/african folk song thing I've ever seen. It was such a privelege to be able to worship with them.

It should be noted too that this picture recorded the first time I ever played with Gord. Gord is my new electric guitar and we are already planning many crazy adventures. We're going to go strange and wonderful places Gord and I. I gave Honey the night off as she'd been working hard the last couple of weeks in rehearsals.

I showed Gord how I can play him and store food in my cheeks for the winter. He was stoked on me.

Needless to say, thanks to Gord (but mostly the band and choir) it was a really loud and fun night for everyone.

The next night was our 2.5 hour worship set. I've often told people that I am without question the most spoiled worship leader in Edmonton. There's between 30 and 40 musicians at Ellerslie Road that are amazing people and I count myself lucky to have them as friends and musical partners. I'm completely in love though, with the people I'm on stage with here so I'm going to take this moment to brag about the group of people I've affectionately called "My Band".

Caleb, Tim, Vanessa (Vausmolo), Graeme, Stu, Vanessa and Caleb... you guys are amazing. I love making music with you guys.

That night and Sunday Morning especially, were worship sets I will never forget. Though we do it every year, this year really felt like a step forward thanks to all the work of the people who had worked in my place before me and taught me so much. This church is not perfect by any stretch, but the people here are so accomodating and understanding and loving.The last few months have been such a learning experience for me and the best part of it is that I have really felt like there's been 500 people on that journey with me. That we're all learning what it means to be worshippers together.

I can't begin to describe the feelings here at being able to play behind the cross that hundreds of people had nailed their guilt and shame to. The cross was raised in front of us and the band just dissappeared as people knelt and prayed and communed together. I could only sit and sing

My sin O the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more
It is well, it is well with my soul.

These people are the reason I get up in the morning. They have become a driving force that has motivated far more than any salary or benefit ever could. To be able to share art and music together in worship every week has been the biggest blessing I could have ever imagined and continues to be as I'm sure it always will. There's something to be said about going hard every week for 2 months and being dissapointed at having to take a break for a couple of weeks lest exhaustion take over.

Gord, we're going to see some amazing things little buddy.

All the pictures in this post (excluding the top two) were taken by Keagan Brooks. Check out more from Keagan @ www.myspace.com/_keagan