"Beyond the Borders"

Raising hands, dancing, and soul-reaching music were evident at Urbana 06 evening worship sessions—five days of intensive prayer, praise and fellowship that moved people to think about God’s calling for their lives.

Daryl Black, worship pastor at Grace Church in St. Louis, spent 18 months preparing music and songs from Latin America, Africa, Asia, America and Europe.

“Multicultural worship is not about losing your cultural identity, it’s about staying true to who you are,” Black said. “We want people to walk away with a sense of Christian community—beyond the borders they have been.”

Combining various cultural groups was not an easy task. Black focused on ‘unity among different cultures’ to accomplish his goal. “Although, it hasn’t been easy, it has been fruitful,” Black said. “In evangelism and ministry, we have to be ‘Deliberate Christians’. Sometimes it’s going to hurt.”

The unifying process involved creating a family of members working together. “Like a marriage, in good times and in bad—we have a covenant: a commitment that we are going to be faithful and love each other,” Black said. “We want to plant a seed. We want people to see our unity connection, beyond the music. We are a community of people who love each other.”

Black personally selected performing artists to comprise the worship team. Each member had to have not only talent, but conviction to serve God.

Jon Wong met Black while working with City Lights in St. Louis. Wong, originally from Beijing, is the lead guitarist for the worship team.

Wong has experienced a spiritual transformation, because of his involvement in Urbana 06 and the worship team. “I thought it irresponsible to say that (music) was a calling. In Chinese culture, art is intangible and not practical,” Wong said. “Humility is respected. You don’t stand out—you fit in.”

Both Wong and Black refuse to take credit for their talent. Instead, they see themselves as vessels for God’s glory. “God expects us to bless Him with our art. Art extends our ability to praise,” Wong said. “Art has influence. Art touches the soul. It goes straight to the heart,” Black said.

Although attendees were inspired by the message and music at the worship sessions, they wonder what to do after Urbana. Wong recommends that people start by asking themselves: Who am I? What am I passionate about? What does God call me to be Biblically? “Everyone is different, look at where you are now,” Wong said.

Reaching out to others with a one-on-one approach brings people closer to their mission, according to Black. “What connects people to each other is conversation. People want to be talked to.” Black said. “Evangelism and missions are not tasks, but who we are as Christians. Ministry starts with just walking across the room.”

Jacqualine Williams is a student at the University of Maryland University College, World Wide Campus.

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