Layers - Worship in Ireland

The past two Saturdays I (Blake) traveled to Limerick to train a worship team close to my heart. We landed in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day 2012. The first two nights we spent in Dublin, then took a train to Limerick where we lived for two months. As we acclimated to a new nation there our church home was Abundant Life Christian Church. We were so blessed by them, and it was wonderful to help invest back into their church.

I spent my time with them talking about the idea of layers in music (like an onion). We talked, we practiced, and we tried new ideas to challenge the team. We took time to discuss how each instrument has various options. We talked about what happens when those various instruments begin playing together in unity. Like an orchestra, when everyone plays their part something beautiful is created. As a team, we can be more together than we ever could be on our own.

I’m so grateful that I get to help with the worship community at our church as well as various churches around Ireland. I’m blessed to meet new people and help new teams any chance I can.

WE have that same type of harmony. When we work together…giving, praying, and going…the work of the Gospel goes further, faster, and more effectively. Katy and I are so thankful you’re on our team. You’re making a difference to the people of Ireland through Zoe Community, through our home church, and through every other church/organisation we’re able to bless by being here. Thank you!

Opening Day

This past Easter Sunday was a historic day in the life of Open Arms Church (our home church here in Ireland). OA has two campuses. One is in Newbridge, Co. Kildare planted 25 years ago. The other is in Sandyford, South Dublin, planted 7 years ago. Katy and I go to Sandyford, which has been meeting in the basement of a hotel since it’s beginning. This past Easter Sunday we opened our brand new building giving us a permanent home that we own.

I (Blake) had the privilege of helping to oversee the audio/video/lighting, overall tech for the building, as well as some interior design aspects. It was such a fun process, although long and arduous. The opening day could not have gone better. We had over 500 in our Sandyford location alone (around 1500 between both locations). The atmosphere was electric! People were so happy to be in their first official church home. The service was smooth, the tech all worked great (I prayed extra about that), and God moved as we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior.

The building isn’t completely finished yet, but we are in! The next few months we will continue with installation of our permanent sound, light, video, and camera systems as well as many details around the building that we haven’t finalised.

Thank you for your prayers. By partnering with us, you are partnering with Open Arms and all the churches we have the honour of serving. We make a great team!

Epic Team

Every September we hold a conference designed for women across Ireland to talk about real-life struggles that are often considered taboo in mainstream society. We call it the Unshamed Conference. We have seen relationships healed, hearts made whole, and friendships made through our first two years of this event.

The wonderful ladies with Katy and I in the car are part of our Zoe team working specifically with the conference. Heaven, Mutza, and Princes (also our Zoe social media manager) took a road trip with us to do a site visit of the conference hotel. They each bring a unique set of gifts and have committed to helping us pull of year number three of the Unshamed Conference. We’re so blessed to have them on our team!

And we’re blessed to have YOU. Thank you for being on our team.