Prayer walk after tragedy.

January 2025

Friday night. The news goes out that an athlete from the school where I teach has collapsed on the field and has been taken by ambulance. Next alert: the student has passed away. I scour as many online platforms to find the student’s name. I find it. I recognize him. He’s in my guitar class. I’m already mourning but it takes a whole other level when I realize I know this student personally. The tears come and all I could think of was his family and his friends at school.

The next morning a massive outpouring of support arrives on campus and the heartbreaking images of his friends and family in mourning appear in different news outlets. My students and I pay our respects, light a candle and stand at the memorial praying.

During this time, the school was riddled with violence, drugs and scandals involving students and teachers.

Monday comes and there is somber mood on campus. Grown men are weeping in the teacher’s lounge only to get up, shake it off and strengthen their reserve to give a front of courage and strength for the students in mourning that will soon pour into their classrooms.

Soon after this tragedy, another student passes away. It was a tragic accident. It was another students I knew personally from my guitar class.

Violence. Tragedy. Addiction. We have soul problem that no amount of institutional policy and discipline could cure. I arrive early one morning contemplating the stated of the school and I go on a prayer walk around campus. “Start a worship team.” An entire concept has been implanted in my consciousness about starting a worship team. My logical logistical mind analyzes this Holy Spirit statement and I can see that it is truly possible. But who will participate.

Then I remember the wise words of a students who would soon be one of the founding members of this group: “It is not by works that we go to heaven but by our relationship with Christ.” Brilliant child!

I bring up the idea to this student and he likes the prospect of starting a Worship Team Club. We begin to gather up some Christian musicians and our fist group is formed: 1 singer, 2 guitarists, 1 bassist, and a drummer.

I do a lot of research. I look at court cases just in case we have to lawyer up and we begin writing our charter. The club is approved and we begin our ministry.

Our mission statement reads as follows:

This club seeks to equip, empower and engage music students and directors to grow in Christ and lead others to do the same. 

We (1) equip with the word of God, (2)engage through genuine relationships and by sharing our lives and the Gospel, and (3)empower music students and directors to engage and equip others to know and grow in Christ. Through our relationship with Jesus, we will establish a Worship Team that will guide us and others into authentic encounters with God through heartfelt music and genuine connection.

Father, bring the healing through the sacrifice and grace freely given by your almighty Son, Christ Jesus. May his presence be felt throughout every single square inch of this campus. Help us be light in the darkness and may others see your glory through our work in the Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.