Mike has been playing the guitar and leading people to worship the Lord in the power of the Spirit since he was in seventh grade. Over the last six years Mike has developed a contemporary acoustical sound accompanied by simulated drums. Mike’s wife, Debbie, accompanies Mike when she is able to travel with him, and the sound is enriched by their two part vocals.
Mike leads people to express their love and gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done — with the latest contemporary worship songs, a few traditional hymns, and selected original worship songs, as well.
Music sets, times of prayer, and times of reflection are prayerfully selected and arranged to lead people to an encounter with God, to enter into His presence with thanksgiving and praise in their hearts.
Worship Defined
Worship is a response to God’s mercy. In view of all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus, we are to turn ourselves over to God for Him to use as He chooses that His name maybe glorified among the nations. Our lives are to be surrendered to God as a gift of loving gratitude.
We are to offer to God a holy life that is not conformed to this world but is transformed by daily setting oneself apart from sin and, out of love, setting apart one’s thinking and actions to the thinking and actions of God. Worship is the response of a life that gives glory to God in all one thinks and does.
Paul summarizes this in Romans 12:1-2 “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The writer of Hebrews 13:15-16 states, “Therefore, by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
The singing of songs serves two purposes: to express one’s loving thanks, praise, and commitment to God and to teach about God and His commands. Music, in and of itself, is not worship but simply one avenue for worship. As Mike leads people in singing, he leads them to respond, not just in the moment with their voices, but with a commitment of their lives day by day to God.
Sound Equipment
Mike desires to offer each church the best sound possible for their event. If he is traveling by ground, he can often bring his own sound system, speakers, monitor, cables, and microphones.
However, for longer trips which require airline travel to the event, the sponsoring church or organization will need to provide an adequate sound system. The following equipment will accommodate Mike’s sound needs:
- The Best Speakers the church can provide (There should be enough speakers to cover the audience attending.)
- Two Monitors (A separate amplifier will be needed for the monitors.)
- Power Amplifiers (A general rule of thumb is to have at least 1 watt per person per side. For example, an audience of 300 needs at least 300 watts for the right side and 300 watts for the left side for a total of 600 watts.)
- Mixing Console (Mike will need at least 5 channels for his equipment. Please provide the best qualified sound person to assist Mike with set up, sound check, and running sound during the event.)
- Power Strip & Two Extension Cords
- At Least One Boom Stand for Mike’s microphone
- *One Music Stand
- *Screen (Screen should be large enough to be seen by all in the audience.)
*NOTE: THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING CHURCH EVEN IF MIKE BRINGS HIS SOUND EQUIPMENT.
