From the Editor: On a personal note

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Philip Chan, D.W.S., Delta 2005,  Perry Chow, D.W.S., Theta 2007, Teresa Ho, D.W.S., Nu 2008, Calvin Lam, D.W.S., Zeta 2006, and Sylvia Ooi, D.W.S., Kappa 2007 join hands with 6 speakers from Hong Kong and 3 speakers from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship to conduct a Worship Symposium in Hong Kong, May 19-21—Let God’s Word Be Alive in Worship.

Phil Burkett, D.W.S., Nu 2009, received a 100% vote of the congregation to pastor Cass City Missionary Church in Michigan. He began that ministry in March.

David Gallaugher, A.G.C.W., Delta 2010 serves as a worship consultant with Greater Europe Mission in Barcelona, Spain. Here is his update: "My experience at IWS has totally reshaped my missionary ministry in Spain. Fifteen years ago, while teaching music in an evangelical seminary, I discovered the writings of Bob Webber and felt an increasing pull towards worship as he described it. Realizing that I could fill an important gap by developing a worship curriculum for seminaries in Spain, I enrolled in the doctoral course at IWS. Through the influence of my professors, worship theology has become my passion. My studies at IWS raised my awareness and personal experience of the transformational power of worship and expanded my missionary vision to encompass evangelical worshipers all over Spain being transformed into more effective disciple makers through a vital encounter with God in line with his biblical principles of corporate worship.

"For the last 10 years I have attempted to enact this vision primarily through weekend, church-based seminars. I have recently been reappointed to my old seminary position. My ministry is called Proyecto Aleluya—the Hallelujah Project. It encompasses (1) training Spanish pastors and worship leaders in the principles and practice of holistic biblical worship through church-based, weekend conferences; (2) training future pastors and missionaries through designing and teaching the worship curriculum in seminaries; (3) filling the gap in adequate text materials by translating and publishing a collection of worship theology in Spanish (Bob especially liked this idea!); (4) personal friendship evangelism combined with encouraging Spanish churches to reach out to the rapidly growing immigrant population; and, (5) drawing together a group of missionary partners in North America who participate in and enable Proyecto Aleluya.

Larry Ellis, D.W.S., Nu 2008, was invited to teach on the biblical foundations for Christian worship and the paradigms of Christian worship at the School for Worship in Cuckfield, West Sussex, England, May 9 -13. The School for Worship is a ministry of Youth With a Mission. He recently published his second book, Secrets for a Successful Small Business: What the University Will Not Teach You. Read more here.

Susan Huckaby D.W.S., Iota 2006, and her husband Rob will lead a mission team of 34 people from Brentwood United Methodist Church and its Spring Hill, TN campus, Trinity Church, to San Jose, Costa Rica, June 18-26, where they will help build a children’s home. Susan writes, "Hundreds of children are homeless and live on the streets of San Jose, where sex trafficking is rampant. Many other children live in overcrowded government facilities. The goal is to provide a Christian environment (home) for 50+ kids at the Methodist Children’s Home where they will be assured of a quality education through high school. Our team will also spend four afternoons in different area churches where we will conduct Vacation Bible School, telling and exploring Bible stories in creative, kid-friendly ways. 50-75 children will attend the VBS session each day."

Pat Myers, D.W.S., Delta 2004, serves with the Easter Mennonite Mission in Lenovo, Bulgaria. She writes, “My husband [Lamar] and I are hoping to start a church in the village of Topolovo that has about 2500 residents but no protestant church. Pray for the moving of God's Spirit in that village. Also, I have begun a children's choir in three different locations. There are only a total of 10 kids, but next year I am hoping for closer to 30. Very little is done with children in the churches. They are almost never used in worship. I hope this choir will serve as an example of how quality things can be done with children, how children can be taught to use their talents and to worship God, and how children can be taught to sight read music, and how children can be a part of the worship experience.” Click on this link for more on Pat's ministry in Bulgaria.

Dyton Owen, D.W.S., Kappa 2009, was appointed Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS, effective March 1, 2011. Having served churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, Dyton was asked to serve the church in Chanute as it moves toward reaching a broader segment of the community through a variety of worship opportunities.

Melissa Pratt, D.W.S., Gamma 2007, is the Pastor at Teays Valley Church of God in Scott Depot, WV. She writes, “The church has continued to grow by 23% each year. We are going to two services and are beginning a capital campaign to build a multi- purpose facility on 74 acres that we own exactly one mile from the church. We are seeing miracles—healings, salvations, marriages restored, deliverance from drug and alcohol addictions. It is amazing to watch and be part of.  I praise the Lord every day for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful work.”