08/19/2006
The past month while I was on music ministry has been exciting, fun, happy, sad, frustrating, and even tiring at some points but looking back, I am glad God was there to work through our team despite the good and the bad.
In making the decision on which short term mission trip to go on and whether to go in the first place, I took a lot of time to pray and see what God wanted me to do this summer. It seemed like there were so many different choices and it was difficult trying to discern what to do. I had the choice of going with my school fellowship or with my church and within both there were a lot of choices. I knew that God would be able to work regardless of whether I went on missions or not.
Coming into the decision process was also where I would be serving for the following year. I could continue to help out with tech stuff and doing the sound or be a leader at church or even IVTCF. During the middle of the school year, I questioned God about my future a bit. I knew that God had given me gifts in certain areas and that He has been steadily pointing them out to me. I questioned God about whether I would be wasting these gifts by going into a certain industry whether it was into the video game industry or even the business world. I thought over this for a while and was a little discouraged by the thought that going to school might be a bit meaningless like what Solomon had written about in parts of Ecclesiastes unless God is part of it. However, I was reminded that God can use people to reach out to other people in whatever environment they are in so I was reassured a bit that perhaps God was training me up for something in the future where I can use the gifts He has given me for where ever I go. I continued to pray and it went down to a choice of serving as perhaps a bible study leader in IVTCF or helping out with the junior high kids at my church. It was a really difficult decision that I prayed about for a while and in the end. In the end, I felt God calling me towards the junior high kids at our church and to just invest in their lives. It was a difficult decision to make because I love both IVTCF and our church and I was a bit sad that I could not do both. I knew that it would be nearly impossible to do both because of the time commitment and I would not want to burn out.
In making the decision to serve at my church, I felt God pushing me towards missions with my church more because it would allow me to connect with a lot of people at the different churches. I felt that God wanted me to see different things about people at churches and to build relationships with people so that I would have a broader viewpoint about Christianity so that I could learn how to serve better at my church.
When music ministry first started up, I had my doubts and anxiety although I was pretty excited overall. Our team was a lot younger and I knew that it would probably be pretty crazy at times. I knew that I would be helping out with leading in some way and that there were high expectations from a lot of the churches because of our music ministry team from 2005. At our first practice, I was a bit worried about our team in their ability to play together and to gel because of all the different personalities and skill levels although I was not too worried because I had seen how much people are able to improve on the trip through all the practices.
Honestly in the beginning, I had some doubt about whether some of the people on our team would be able to make it through the trip without some sort of breakdown or collapse because of their personalities. However, looking back, I was reminded that God works through us even as we are tired, beat up, and weak. It was at those times that God gave our team more energy and reminders that He was there to look out for us. At one of our performances at CTCC, I was reminded of this and experienced it myself. I have a ring that I bought to remind me to serve with the right attitude and the right heart as well as to stay pure for God. We had a performance the night before at EFC South Bay and got back relatively late and we had to get up early. I drove the cargo van up to CTCC while Pastor David drove up the passenger van. Although I was not that tired physically, my mind was pretty tired and a bit drained. One of our team members Tiffany had used me as part of her response in a small skit thing and I just felt pretty beat up overall so I did not really feel like I wanted to do it. However, around fifteen minutes before the performance started, I was just reminded that this is all for God and that it is all to His glory. I went up that night and felt a renewed energy and was able to pull through the rest of the night even though at times it felt like I was going to crash mentally in the middle of the performance. God was good in just being so willing to use me and just reminding me that this time we have whether its in school, church, or wherever is all His and that I need to give Him my best when I am serving and loving Him.
Some of the things God has pointed out to me this trip is to have love, patience, respect, honor, and obedience. Our team did have our good times where we all got along and times where things did not go so well. As for all audio visual techies, we can see a lot of things go on and can point them out but we cannot do any more than that. It was even more frustrating at times because I could read people pretty well and just seeing what they had their focus on. However, it was at a lot of these times that God was just pointing out how I needed more love and patience for my team members and to just let them learn based on the decisions and choices that they made. I realized that even with all the potential that they have, our team grows and learns at their own rate and to not judge them. I also learned a lot about just respect, honor, and obedience and was reminded from one of the sunday school discussions at one of the churches. One of the guys mentioned something about how respect is more passive, honor is active, and obedience is something that you could do without respect or honor. I was just reminded to be humble and to let things go. By learning to respect and honor my team mates, it made things a lot simpler and it seemed to release me from a lot of anxiety and stress.
One of the other things that I was able to experience was the slaughter of a lamb. While our team was at the Indian reservation, one of the missionaries Harvest LA is supporting took us to one of the deacon's house to see the lamb. Seeing the lamb was almost like a once in a lifetime thing because most people see their meat all cut up nicely based on whatever cut or part they buy at the super market now a days. It was a very touching experience because they were talking about how the lamb analogy that is often used to describe Jesus as a sacrifice for us becomes an even greater reminder. The first reaction I had when they started was that there was just so much blood. In the bible I know that they use the blood as a symbol of just redemption and cleansing from reading Leviticus and other Old testament books. Instead of our blood being poured out, it was just really crazy seeing how Jesus is like the lamb we saw and the blood that was used to wash away our sin. After the lamb died, we watched them cut it into different pieces and stuff. I got to experience a little bit hands on in helping them hold the lamb so it was kind of intense getting a little bit of the blood on my hand. Overall my view of the crucifixion was drastically changed and it was a blessing being able to see how much God loved us in just sending us the perfect lamb to die for us.
I also was blessed on this trip in seeing all the different churches and building relationships and friendships with some of the people there. It was really cool and encouraging meeting fellow believers and just seeing how they interact with so much love with one another. It was also cool seeing different communities of believers and seeing the different needs and different visions and the different stages that each church and ministry is in. It was such a blessing and reminder for me as I am about to start serving and helping out with the junior high kids at Harvest LA.
Coming into Music Ministry and then coming out, I have just learned a lot overall about myself and my different limits and just having more love for people. As the school year is about to begin, I am just really excited with being able to serve back at home and I feel that although we had our rough times on the trip, our team was able to just depend on God in prayer and in love.
Thanks for all your prayers and support. May God bless you all.
08/01/2006
Its been pretty crazy since Arizona and all that but its been a good kind of crazy. Our team got back to Arizona in around 7 hours or something starting at around 6 and we got back around 1. We practiced for a bit on thursday and then went down to EFC South Bay on friday night. The show went pretty well even though the accoustics of the place was kind of funky. It was nice coming back to LA though. Never thought I would miss it after being away for a couple weeks.
At this point, Fernanda had to leave to take care of medical school stuff so hopefully things go well for her as she gets ready.
We drove up to Mountain View and yea it was pretty much a one stop trip for gas so it was nice in that we got up in 5 hours. Our show on saturday night went pretty well even though I was kind of tired from driving and setting up all the stuff and the performance the night before. However, God just reminded me sometime before our show started that this was all for Him and that I should just be really excited to serve with the right attitude and worship.
So somehow I found enough energy to pull through the night and make it all the way through so that was pretty cool in just how God provides energy. Even though I was kind of tired the next day and a bit sore from adrenaline running out, I was just pretty glad to be able to worship God.
Our team got to hang out a bit with the CTCC church members so that was kind of cool getting to know them better after our show. We also got to just fellowship with them on monday so that was nice too. Pastor David and Pastor Eddie switched and yea.
well take care until the next update
07/16/2006
07/08/2006
07/03/2006
Music Ministry Reflections
Music Ministry 2006The past month while I was on music ministry has been exciting, fun, happy, sad, frustrating, and even tiring at some points but looking back, I am glad God was there to work through our team despite the good and the bad.
In making the decision on which short term mission trip to go on and whether to go in the first place, I took a lot of time to pray and see what God wanted me to do this summer. It seemed like there were so many different choices and it was difficult trying to discern what to do. I had the choice of going with my school fellowship or with my church and within both there were a lot of choices. I knew that God would be able to work regardless of whether I went on missions or not.
Coming into the decision process was also where I would be serving for the following year. I could continue to help out with tech stuff and doing the sound or be a leader at church or even IVTCF. During the middle of the school year, I questioned God about my future a bit. I knew that God had given me gifts in certain areas and that He has been steadily pointing them out to me. I questioned God about whether I would be wasting these gifts by going into a certain industry whether it was into the video game industry or even the business world. I thought over this for a while and was a little discouraged by the thought that going to school might be a bit meaningless like what Solomon had written about in parts of Ecclesiastes unless God is part of it. However, I was reminded that God can use people to reach out to other people in whatever environment they are in so I was reassured a bit that perhaps God was training me up for something in the future where I can use the gifts He has given me for where ever I go. I continued to pray and it went down to a choice of serving as perhaps a bible study leader in IVTCF or helping out with the junior high kids at my church. It was a really difficult decision that I prayed about for a while and in the end. In the end, I felt God calling me towards the junior high kids at our church and to just invest in their lives. It was a difficult decision to make because I love both IVTCF and our church and I was a bit sad that I could not do both. I knew that it would be nearly impossible to do both because of the time commitment and I would not want to burn out.
In making the decision to serve at my church, I felt God pushing me towards missions with my church more because it would allow me to connect with a lot of people at the different churches. I felt that God wanted me to see different things about people at churches and to build relationships with people so that I would have a broader viewpoint about Christianity so that I could learn how to serve better at my church.
When music ministry first started up, I had my doubts and anxiety although I was pretty excited overall. Our team was a lot younger and I knew that it would probably be pretty crazy at times. I knew that I would be helping out with leading in some way and that there were high expectations from a lot of the churches because of our music ministry team from 2005. At our first practice, I was a bit worried about our team in their ability to play together and to gel because of all the different personalities and skill levels although I was not too worried because I had seen how much people are able to improve on the trip through all the practices.
Honestly in the beginning, I had some doubt about whether some of the people on our team would be able to make it through the trip without some sort of breakdown or collapse because of their personalities. However, looking back, I was reminded that God works through us even as we are tired, beat up, and weak. It was at those times that God gave our team more energy and reminders that He was there to look out for us. At one of our performances at CTCC, I was reminded of this and experienced it myself. I have a ring that I bought to remind me to serve with the right attitude and the right heart as well as to stay pure for God. We had a performance the night before at EFC South Bay and got back relatively late and we had to get up early. I drove the cargo van up to CTCC while Pastor David drove up the passenger van. Although I was not that tired physically, my mind was pretty tired and a bit drained. One of our team members Tiffany had used me as part of her response in a small skit thing and I just felt pretty beat up overall so I did not really feel like I wanted to do it. However, around fifteen minutes before the performance started, I was just reminded that this is all for God and that it is all to His glory. I went up that night and felt a renewed energy and was able to pull through the rest of the night even though at times it felt like I was going to crash mentally in the middle of the performance. God was good in just being so willing to use me and just reminding me that this time we have whether its in school, church, or wherever is all His and that I need to give Him my best when I am serving and loving Him.
Some of the things God has pointed out to me this trip is to have love, patience, respect, honor, and obedience. Our team did have our good times where we all got along and times where things did not go so well. As for all audio visual techies, we can see a lot of things go on and can point them out but we cannot do any more than that. It was even more frustrating at times because I could read people pretty well and just seeing what they had their focus on. However, it was at a lot of these times that God was just pointing out how I needed more love and patience for my team members and to just let them learn based on the decisions and choices that they made. I realized that even with all the potential that they have, our team grows and learns at their own rate and to not judge them. I also learned a lot about just respect, honor, and obedience and was reminded from one of the sunday school discussions at one of the churches. One of the guys mentioned something about how respect is more passive, honor is active, and obedience is something that you could do without respect or honor. I was just reminded to be humble and to let things go. By learning to respect and honor my team mates, it made things a lot simpler and it seemed to release me from a lot of anxiety and stress.
One of the other things that I was able to experience was the slaughter of a lamb. While our team was at the Indian reservation, one of the missionaries Harvest LA is supporting took us to one of the deacon's house to see the lamb. Seeing the lamb was almost like a once in a lifetime thing because most people see their meat all cut up nicely based on whatever cut or part they buy at the super market now a days. It was a very touching experience because they were talking about how the lamb analogy that is often used to describe Jesus as a sacrifice for us becomes an even greater reminder. The first reaction I had when they started was that there was just so much blood. In the bible I know that they use the blood as a symbol of just redemption and cleansing from reading Leviticus and other Old testament books. Instead of our blood being poured out, it was just really crazy seeing how Jesus is like the lamb we saw and the blood that was used to wash away our sin. After the lamb died, we watched them cut it into different pieces and stuff. I got to experience a little bit hands on in helping them hold the lamb so it was kind of intense getting a little bit of the blood on my hand. Overall my view of the crucifixion was drastically changed and it was a blessing being able to see how much God loved us in just sending us the perfect lamb to die for us.
I also was blessed on this trip in seeing all the different churches and building relationships and friendships with some of the people there. It was really cool and encouraging meeting fellow believers and just seeing how they interact with so much love with one another. It was also cool seeing different communities of believers and seeing the different needs and different visions and the different stages that each church and ministry is in. It was such a blessing and reminder for me as I am about to start serving and helping out with the junior high kids at Harvest LA.
Coming into Music Ministry and then coming out, I have just learned a lot overall about myself and my different limits and just having more love for people. As the school year is about to begin, I am just really excited with being able to serve back at home and I feel that although we had our rough times on the trip, our team was able to just depend on God in prayer and in love.
Thanks for all your prayers and support. May God bless you all.
08/01/2006
Norcal Update 1
Hey everyoneIts been pretty crazy since Arizona and all that but its been a good kind of crazy. Our team got back to Arizona in around 7 hours or something starting at around 6 and we got back around 1. We practiced for a bit on thursday and then went down to EFC South Bay on friday night. The show went pretty well even though the accoustics of the place was kind of funky. It was nice coming back to LA though. Never thought I would miss it after being away for a couple weeks.
At this point, Fernanda had to leave to take care of medical school stuff so hopefully things go well for her as she gets ready.
We drove up to Mountain View and yea it was pretty much a one stop trip for gas so it was nice in that we got up in 5 hours. Our show on saturday night went pretty well even though I was kind of tired from driving and setting up all the stuff and the performance the night before. However, God just reminded me sometime before our show started that this was all for Him and that I should just be really excited to serve with the right attitude and worship.
So somehow I found enough energy to pull through the night and make it all the way through so that was pretty cool in just how God provides energy. Even though I was kind of tired the next day and a bit sore from adrenaline running out, I was just pretty glad to be able to worship God.
Our team got to hang out a bit with the CTCC church members so that was kind of cool getting to know them better after our show. We also got to just fellowship with them on monday so that was nice too. Pastor David and Pastor Eddie switched and yea.
well take care until the next update
07/16/2006
texas update! a trojan in longhorn country
music ministry has made it to the people in Texas. We got to El Paso the first wednesday at night after leaving the church at around 5 am. It was pretty hot and there were thunder storms going on as we drove into Texas at around 7 or 8 pm. It was a pretty long drive but we got to our hotel safely where we rested for a couple hours before waking up early the next morning at 6 am to drive to EFC NASA in Houston. Our team made it safely to the place on thursday night. It was pretty hot and humid when we got there and there were mosquitos eager to see us and it was almost like it was taiwan minus the bad street smells. So Taiwan missions people, we know what you guys are feeling... to a certain degree. So the next day, our first performance on the road. It was kind of hectic as we had to set up and practice both sets, run through drama, and then go out with our fellow efc nasa people for dinner. It was pretty cool though just chilling with our efc nasa counterparts before the show. So sometime in the afternoon to dinner time, I realized that I no longer had my cell phone with me. I had been running around setting up all day and it was just really crazy so I figured the cell phone was around somewhere either in the place we were staying at or performing so I wasnt too worried at first but it was just on the back of my mind. We went on with the performance where I helped on of the girls on our team (Tiffany) in her response for her testimony playing a part on her skit. Pretty basic part and I was supposed to represent Jesus and how He is waiting to fill our hearts and stuff. Went pretty smoothly so yea. The performance went well and one of my mom's middle school class mates also made it out to see our performance so that was pretty cool since my mom told her to come. While we could have made some improvements, nothing went too crazy or bad for us tech wise. So after the performance we chilled and played a bit with the people at efc nasa so that was cool. After people started leaving and we started to clean up, I began to become more worried as I hadnt seen my cell phone. However, the team helped me look for it and helped call it but we still couldnt find it anywhere. I knew that God would take care of it and stuff but it was just a bit on my mind because I usually keep track of all my stuff pretty crazy so I just felt kind of down. I spend some time just reading God's word and just importing the video from the night's performance and felt a bit better afterward. One or two of our team members (Joan and others) prayed for me and I also lifted it up to God that night in my own quiet times. I think God was just watching over me through this whole time because I was able to remain relatively calm through this although it was on my mind quite a bit. The next day, our team drove by the place we went to eat the first night and the lady at the place told me to call the place back at 5 pm because that was when the cleaning people came and because she wasnt there at working on the day we went. During the day, we drove a bit around downtown Houston and then came back to efc nasa at around 5 which was when I called the place. At first the lady told me that the cleaning people had seen it but then didnt know where they put it and then asked a second cleaning person and they said that they had given it to the boss. So the lady told me to wait 10 minutes and call back so that she could ask her boss where it was. I called back and the lady told me that the boss had put it somewhere but didnt remember where so that was when she told me to call it. God was definitely watching out as I called because it didnt really ring but went to voice mail after a bit and yea it was kind of scary. I called the lady back and she told me that the phone had rang twice and that she found it just as the battery ran out. Pastor Eddie and I went to the place and got it and I was just really thankful. So just a big praise to God for watching over me through this time. Our performance on sunday at EFC Houston went relatively ok and was on the hectic time as there was a little bit of miscommunication of what time we had to set up and stuff but we were able to pull it off more or less tech wise. We had dinner with the efc nasa people and it was a pretty cool potluck and chill night just getting able to meet more of the people from our sister churches. It was pretty cool overall and we are now having a late night practice as we speak which is pretty nice. Things to pray for: 1. our driving safety 2. energy 3. people of efc houston and their English ministry 4. people of efc nasa 5. our drive to phoenix and the churches there 6. our team unity and performances and yea I am a trojan in longhorn territory... even so... fight on! :)07/08/2006
Second Performance at Harvest LA and Car Wash
So overall the performance went pretty smoothly last night. We were able to get our cd out in production after I burned around 50 cds in 1.5 hours using three different burners so that was kind of crazy. Lot of crazy practices and all leading up to our performance but it seems like there is a small calm before we leave on tour this coming Wednesday. A couple of my USC friends and some of my supporters were able to come out last night to watch our performance and they all seemed to enjoy it a lot.
One of the comments from one of my USC buddies on my facebook: roy dude, i can't get over how amazingly well done that entire night was. the music, the script, the acting, the cool sound-effects during the skit... everything was so professional and really easy to connect with. I am very, very impressed, and I wish you and the rest of the music ministry the very best on your touring!! God bless, dude.
Its been kind of cool seeing how things are coming together especially since I am a tech in the back and get to see all of it come together. I gave my testimony last night and it seemed to go well although I was pretty nervous before I went up. We also got a lot of our equipment like our new soundboard and our case for it along with drum mics. Our new baby is all shiny and pretty weighing in at over 60 pounds of goodness. But yea its really nice to see how God has provided for us equipment wise as we are almost all set to go.
Even though only my dad got to go to our performance last night, I am really glad that both of my parents have just been there to support and care for me even through late night practices. My mom wasnt able to come out because she pulled a muscle or something, but I'm glad I was able to record it for her to see. Big thanks to all those who came out to our performance last night and I hope you were all touched by it.
Car wash was kind of crazy as it was pretty tough getting up out of bed. It took me around 15 minutes before I could move myself out of bed and get ready for washing the cars. Pretty exhausted after washing a bunch of cars. A little bruise on my foot from slipping off a hummer h2 but its all good more or less just seeing a lot of our supporters. Overall pretty hot but we got the water and the music going. Thanks to all who came out!
Pretty tired now and I guess if you made it this far, good job and hope you keep our team in prayer as we are about to start driving soon. We also need prayer for energy, equipment, strength (for loading unloading), sleep/rest, and just for team unity as we head off.
Thanks for reading and take care.
07/03/2006
First Music Ministry Recap
so first music ministry performance in irvine
pretty good overall although there were some minor things that went kinda crazy i shall start with the crazy:
- - wireless lapel nightmare...
- - transitions could b less crazy without wireless problems
- - couple blurps here and there but its all good skit wise as far as tech stuff goes
- - lp video recording quality annoying to upload so im a lil sad -_-
- - got bruised up on my right leg and random cuts... not sure from what loading or unloading
good things
- - special thanks to dan, tina, justin, bonnie, and kristin for coming out to watch... fight on!
- - overall program went relatively smoothly
- - equipment and everything went relatively well
- - no one left behind
- - p david's mega sermon all in one
- - got there and back safely
- - much improvement from our first run through
so yea overall the night went well and i am just glad to see how much God has been helping us through kinda tired i guess overall and am glad for the days off to rest
Roy Sher
at a glance
- Home church
- EFC Los Angeles
- Instruments
- trumpet, tech
- School
- 3rd year at USC, majoring in business, minor in video game design and management
- Hometown
- Arcadia, CA
- Hobbies
- gaming, sleeping, teching, computers
- Bible verse
- Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it..." Luke 9:23-24
- Movie
- Gladiator
- Favorite Quote
- "He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott
my story
I was born and raised in a Christian family. I moved around a lot as a kid and went to a lot of different churches before finally settling down at Harvest LA. I came to know Christ through the influence of my family as they helped guide me. However, there was a point where I chose to accept Jesus for myself during my time in middle school instead of simply relying on my family’s faith.
I feel like I am most in tune with God when I am reading the bible and spending time praying and listening to God. I also feel in tune with God when I am practicing the spiritual discipline of solitude and during my times of rest. I am going on this trip because I want to grow spiritually through serving the different churches that are in need.
At USC, I am primarily studying business and am looking to get a video game design and management minor. I am part of Inter Varsity Trojan Christian Fellowship at USC and I served on the small group ministry team and help out with the audio/visual tech parts in the fellowship. I also help with the audio/visual parts at Harvest LA.
i confess...
- There are times when I tune out from God.
- I've fallen asleep during sermons.
- I peek during prayer sometimes.