November, 1998
Edited by Frank Fortunato
Coordinator, AD2000 Worship and Arts Network
(Another in a series of reports from North Korea on the way God has sustained his persecuted people there through their united worship. Here is yet another story of the incredible faith of the North Korean believers).
When government officials discovered thirty Christians living underground, the officials brought them out before the people for a public execution. For years these Korean saints had lived in hand-dug tunnels beneath the earth. In a fury, the dictator demanded that the Christians renounce their faith. He ordered the children seized first. Even facing the death of their children, not one of the believers would deny their faith. The godless dictator called for a steamroller to be brought in. He then proceeded to have the Christians lay on the ground while the steamroller drove over them. The Christians found strength in a song they had often sung together. "More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee. Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy Praise; More love, O Christ, to Thee."
(As reported in Voice of the Martyrs, July, 1998.)
(As reported by Richard Twiss, leader of the World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People. The WCGIP event was reported about in a previous GWR). "On Tuesday afternoon I taught on the value of the cultural expressions of Native people in God's redemptive purposes for the nations. Afterward we watched the video on last year's Gathering in New Zealand. As the video was coming to a close I began to hear a few people gently weeping and crying. The song had just been sung that says: Listen to the sound of the people coming back, their deliverer has come with compassion. Look and see the women in their dignity, strength and purity, for they choose to walk in the light. Listen to the sound of the people coming back, praise in their hearts instead of heaviness, look and see the warriors are full of hope, courage and humility for they choose to walk in the light."
Behind the music you see the people dancing, praying, and worshiping in their traditional regalia and movements. The crying became more widespread and louder. When the video ended and the credits were rolling nearly everyone in the room was crying. Many began to wail and lament. It seemed as though there was the sense of deep loss while at the same time the overwhelming joy of the return of something of great value that had been lost. People said when they saw the Native people in the video dancing they wanted to be free to do the same thing but felt the loss of not being able to. One said they felt the Lord was giving back to them their Native culture. As a culmination of the conference many people were set free by God. Almost the whole church one by one came up to play, each being set free as they began to play and worship. It seems that spiritual history was being made that week."
(For more information, contact Stina Rhoades [email protected])
"We began with a week of ethnomusicology training at the Wycliffe Bible Translators school in Dallas, Texas. We also learned about the role of music in missions and the importance of music in the Bible, as well as West African culture. Once in the Ivory Coast we did several mini-workshops on worship to encourage the Abidji people to use their own "heart music" in worship and not just the translated French hymns. We had participants divide into groups to practice composing a song in their own tribal language using their Scriptures. We moved on to the Adioukrous people and were involved with research and conducting interview with choir leaders to learn about their traditional music. WE recorded choirs and traditional styles of music. We took drum lessons from several little boys. We then returned to the Abidjis to conduct a three-day Scripture Music Workshop. Participants were given Abidji Bible verses and told to compose new songs for worship. The last day was spent recording the songs to give the Abidji their own scripture song cassette. One believer shared: "Today I see that God is Abidji!"
(Excerpted from a prayer letter from Lisa Stoltzfus. For the full report, email her at ([email protected])<> (See below for opportunity to join next year's program in Papua New Guinea).
The above story by Lisa is part of Wycliffe's very unique short-term program called Discovery. This special summer program combines missions exposure with practical hands-on involvement using ethnic music. Next summer's program will take place in Ukarampa, PNG. For information contact Wycliffe ([email protected]).
To order the Discovery brochure contact Wycliffe at ([email protected]).
(Excerpted from two articles by LaMar Boschman Ministries, P.O. Box 130, Bedford, TX 76095 fax: 817-354-9608, Tel: 817-540-1826.)
For more information, contact SIL Ethnomusicology Department ([email protected]).
A pre-release edition of the songbook of the AD2000 Movement Worship and Arts Track, called "Let the Nations Rejoice-Worship Songs Declaring God's Glory) has just been released. It includes 32 contemporary choruses and hymns from various parts of the world. The songs celebrate the global reign of the Lord and challenge people to involvement. A special feature of the book is an annotated table of contents with brief summaries on the themes of each song. Included in the book are resources with worship quotes, mini-studies on some of the attributes of God, excerpts from articles on global worship, information on getting connected to more resources, and more. The pre-release edition costs $10 which includes postage and handling. The first edition will be priced at $15. A demo CD of the songs, recorded by Scott Wesley Brown will be released in the new year. It will include 13 songs with vocal tracks, and the same 13 songs without vocal tracks. The CD will be priced at $12).
The pre-release book is ready for ordering. Send $10 check in US$ made payable to OM Literature, or your credit card number (Visa, Mastercard or Discover) to OM Literature. PO Box 1047. Waynesboro, GA. 30830.
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