Speaking of the Praise Team
Speaking of the praise team in the previous blog entry, I decided to discontinue serving in the prison ministry recently. I’ve only served thrice this past months and each and each time was a true blessing. Unfortunately, I need some break for the time being and hopefully will get back in the near future. Here is a photo of our lovely praise team members:
Just looking at the photo brings a wide smile on my face. God will bless them abundantly. Amen!
I’m so glad that Pastor Michael found his vision to serve in the prison ministry. Pastor Michael leads a group of members that consists of his family, relatives, friends, and other church members. The volunteers prepare goodies filled with snacks and gifts to hand out to the juvenile inmates. This is not a simple task. They need to prepare near one hundred of this gift bags before the event.
Once in every month, the team prepares and heads out to one of the juvenile rehabilitation center. I’ve been to Calabasas (next to Malibu/Pepperdine Uni), Downtown Los Angeles (Union Station), and a city near San Dimas. Wherever God calls, the team follows. The worship starts off with praise, a sermon prepared by Pastor Michael, followed with an altar call. It is powerful! I can’t help but feel humble while playing the drum and seeing the Holy Spirit open the hearts of the teenagers.
After each event, everyone in the team go out for dinner. During the 3rd time I went to serve in the prison ministry (which would be my last 
), I got to meet Matt. A twenty year old teenager. He knew Pastor Michael from long time and he came to serve for his first time. We spoke during dinner and he shared with me of his past. Back in the days, he was one of those juvenile inmates in a rehabilitation center. He said that even during his time, group of church volunteers visited ocassionally to the juvenile center to share the gospel. During the church’s first visit, his life was changed. He was very curious of who God and Jesus Christ was. He began to read the word of God in his dorm. And God slowly changed his life and brought Pastor Michael into his life. I pray that he will serve God with his heart.