Living in Hyderabad, India has been incredible. The moment I stepped into the Covenant School of Worship, I knew God had big things for me here. At that point, I didn’t know what kind of big things, but I knew life would be different in this month.
Our first week at the school was culturally challenging…do we make eye-contact, do I smile, can I laugh, hugs or handshakes, is what I’m wearing ok? There were so many questions….and wondering if I would ever know the answers! Haha.
The Worship School we have lived at is focused on building up men to preach, worship lead, teach, and reach the unreached. There is so much more that they do, but those areas are the main ones within this ministry. Not only that, but they help build up the brothers here to maintain a healthy lifestyle – making priorities and sticking to them. The brothers have schedules and certain jobs they are all expected to do: cleaning, quiet-time and prayer, worship, keeping there areas clean and organized….
They have classes on the Bible, music theory and skill, voice lessons, and English classes (sometimes). There are conferences/seminars as well that help them become more knowledgable in areas of this ministry. It’s awesome!
Each evening, brothers will lead worship for everyone. Being able to join the worships every night has been such a blessing. Watching the brothers freely worship our Heavenly Father is absolutely beautiful – totally indescribable. They dance, shout, laugh, lay flat on the floor, raise their hands, sing loud and pray powerfully….they are not afraid to worship in complete surrender. Whatever the Holy Spirit rests on each of them, they welcome with an open heart. It is so beautiful to witness…the literal hunger for more of their Maker. The love they have for their Father is so raw and fresh….so uninhibited.
Not only do they love their Father like crazy, they love each other like I’ve never see before. They truly encourage and motivate one another out of genuine care for each other. They respect each other and share without expectations. They know what community is all about. It’s the kind of community that the body of Christ is called to live in….and I want in on that!
As I’ve joined in with worship and doing ministry with the brothers, God has begun to stir my heart – pulling at the strings that bound it to the United States. He has been gently tugging at what I thought I wanted (USA all the way) and replacing it with this crazy burden for India.
It’s like what Paul speaks about in the Bible; the intense burden he had for a specific people group and place was so heavy on his heart it hurt. That’s what India feels like for me. This ministry, these people, this place – it feels like home…like I should have been born here. I constantly want to be apart of every ministry opportunity even if it’s not on our schedule – I just can’t get enough! God is doing SO much here…movement and revival is happening and I feel this urgency to be apart of it! I can’t miss out, I can’t stop looking for open doors to share Jesus with people, I just can’t.
This drive inside me is completely God-given and the Covenant School of Worship has helped fan that flame. The 24/7 worshipful atmosphere is hard to ignore. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved music – playing, listening, and singing it…and as I’ve gotten older, God has refined that passion of mine into music ministry. I’m at home here.
God continues to confirm that worship leading is what He wants for me and being here in India has confirmed that often. Through worship sessions, through people, through His Word, and through leading experiences, He continues to say “This is My heart for you.”
On top of all that, God has blessed me with so many awesome connections and relationships this month. I’ve been able to connect with a few missionary couples and form such precious friendships with the brothers at this school. It’s incredible and totally out of my control. That’s what makes this place that much more special.
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Matthew 7:11
God finds pleasure in giving good gifts to his children – India is one amazing gift!
