WFI Blog http://www.worshipfoundations.com Martin Allen, WFI Sandy Hoffman, a dear friend, colleague and mentor, recently wrote an article for http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=95 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500 This was written on the plane ride home, May 5, from the 2010 worship mentor gathering. 30 worship and arts leaders from around the country gathered in Ocean Grove, NJ to be the body of Christ to each other for a few days. One of those was Bre http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=94 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500 What does this video (world cup promo) show us about who we are as human beings and how God has created us to worship Him? I'd love your thoughts. http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=93 Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Short article regarding music as prophetic context. http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=92 Sun, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500 When people ask me how the 2010 worship mentor gathering went, all I can initially say is, "God." It was of God, for God, by God and through God. He was there speaking to us individually and collectively. I will eventually add http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=91 Sat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Our upcoming worship mentor gathering in Ocean Grove, NJ is sold out! The event is hosted by Worship Foundations Int'l and sponsored by the http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=90 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 and one parable…. A farmer is walking down the road and sees his friend, also a farmer, working in his field. The field in which the friend is currently working has a pitiful looking crop. However, his friend has another field with http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=89 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 The next day, we went with a different pastor to another slum about an hour’s drive away (probably only 20 miles or so). The first visit was planned ahead of time. As we climbed the ladder and entered the small, cinder block, upper r http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=88 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 a couple of stories….   story 1 On one of our days of sharing, we went with a pastor to the slum where his local fellowship met. Our first stop was in the home of a Hindu priestess. She was a spiritual advisor to http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=87 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 The way God revealed Himself to me in India and continued to transform my heart is on my mind almost daily. It’s been right at two months since my return. This was quite possibly the most fruitful trip I’ve ever been a part of in terms http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=86 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Greetings. It's always a challenge to find the time to write what has been imprinted so deeply on your heart after a trip like that of which I took to India. I'm going to try to write out a few words soon. I encourage you to watch http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=85 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600 Please take time to check out Sudah's story. bit.ly/6MpQnv Sudah works in the red http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=83 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 Hey friends.  Thanks for staying updated and praying.  Today I'm off to visit a tailoring ministry where women of the slums and widows are able to earn a wage and find a bit of fulfillment in work.  Work is good. The rest of th http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=82 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 If you have watched the movie Slumdog Millionaire you probably have a fairly decent mental portrait painted of what India looks like.   The streets are http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=81 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 God is at work in Mumbai. Your prayers are being answered as I write this. The team has led several people believe today. Here are a few things we’ve heard: http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=80 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=78 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=79 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 Another year has come and gone. Wow, on the west coast we’re 2 hrs from 2010. Here’s a short review of a few of the highlights of our past year at Worship Foundations Int’l. * from Ted Rastatter, leader of our India tea http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=77 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600 For Josie's thoughts on what God did in and through her during the trip to India with YWAM's Sandy Hoffman, click here. http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=76 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600 Oct. 11-13 a group of worship and arts leaders gathered outside of Chicago to hear from God and just be together.  It's amazing how rare it is to see leaders/pastors (especially those who have been around for a while and maybe reached a certa http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=75 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500 check this out. pastor from Illinois talking about the fundamentals of leadership http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=74 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Josie Leung, our global impact coordinator, should be landing in Mumbai, India right about now, 11a central time. She's traveling with Sandy Hoffman and his assistant to encourage believers and musicians at a YWAM School of Worship in Lonaval http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=73 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Sitting here with the Worship Foundations board of directors.  Great time.  Great people.  Pray for us/them.  Martin http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=72 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 I'd especially be interested in hearing your thoughts on this entry.    I've been thinking....our worship gatherings are much like birthday parties, or at least should be.  This analogy isn't fully applicable but is http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=71 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Hey friends.  A quick note about a possible opportunity for WFI staff to serve in India next month.    I've had the privilege to know Sandy Hoffman for a few years now.  He's been a friend, colleague, and fellow http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=70 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 a post trip entry from the India team.... Well the trip itself has ended and we have returned home, we are all quite tired and have been stretched greatly both physically, spiritually, and mentally. While it is a great feel http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=69 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 here are a few entries from the India team.  They're now in Chennai and have been without internet for a few days so these posts are a bit old.... June 26 post: Tonight we have another show at Opus. The owners asked us to come http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=68 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 from Josie.... Our India team is on the ground and will be there for another week or so. It was such a pleasure to finally meet the people behind the applications and to put faces to names. Even though we only had less than 12 hours face-t http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=67 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Check out the entertaining and informative musings of this great group of really, cool people.... http://reclaimingelephants.com/ http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=66 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Here's a brief intro/update from Josie.  I asked her to focus more on what's she's been up to personally in addition to her WFI work.... Hello from the newest member of the WFI team! Since this is a personal update, I’ll gi http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=65 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Hey friends.  This past weekend, the WFI board of directors met here on the campus of Peninsula Community Church where I serve as worship and arts pastor.  We had a great time together.  It was a great balance of planning and just b http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=64 Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500 I love my son.  Please be patient if you’re having a conversation with me and I begin to incessantly talk about my wife and son.  It’s one of my fa http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=63 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Greetings all.  Yesterday was a great day.  As Emily and I were chatting over dinner last night, I made a statement that was original to me but that you’ve probably thought of many times.  I’m a bit slow.  http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=61 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500 In my last email I shared my time in the first leg of our trip in Y. From there our large group broke up into smaller teams of 4-5. We travelled to the city of L with our host. It took all day to get there with a bus ride and 2 flights. Our first http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=60 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 Greetings.  I realized in preparing for today's posting that I had forgotten to post Chris' recap of his trip to China back in May.  He was over there to meet potential hosts for our global impact teams and potential sending pa http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=59 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! Greetings friends.  Another update on the ministry of Worship Foundations Int’l.  I’m just coming off my first Christmas season here at Peninsula Community Church.  It w http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=58 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600 Hey friends.  I hope your day is going well and that you are seeing the Spirit of Christ speaking and moving all around. God is clearly at work over in West Asia. We have a team of four over there with the assignment to encourage and build up mu http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=57 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600 Hey friends.  Sitting in the lobby of Irving Bible Church at Fusion as the Robbie Seay Band leads in worship.  Fusion is a conference for 20 and 30-somethings.  The Holy Spirit absolutely brought it through Francis Chan yesterday and i http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=56 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600 Hey all. Don't forget to check back a few days after the initial posting to see any comments. There were some rich and wonderful comment postings to the last blog entitled, "Life is pain and it's good." So check them out and make comments of your http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=54 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600 This will be a longer entry than usual.  It’s more of an article than a blog posting.  I’d love you’re your feedback on the below.  Thanks for reading and walking this life with me.  And a bit of a warning, the b http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=53 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Hey all.  Moving from theological blogland to a quick update.  This has been the best year yet for Worship Foundations Int'l in terms of ministry effect.  The below will be in our annual report if you receive it, but I thought I'd post http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=52 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Before I post my article, let me take a minute to spout off, “Can we all just calm down!”  I see a lot of fear these days.  And, it’s deep fear…not only from pre-believers but also followers of Christ.  Are we http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=51 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 In that I'm the blog guy, we've gone a month without a post due to a super fun time in my life that has put my focus elsewhere.  Meet Judah.  Genesis 29:35 (except for the part about no more children). Judah sounds like the http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=50 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 This weekend was absolutely incredible. There really aren’t even words to explain all that’s in my heart from the last 4 days…some moments were too precious to try to wrap words around at all. We took a break from our responsibilit http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=49 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Hello to the other side of the world! Ni how ma? (For those of you are wondering what that means it is how are you in Chinese). I am absolutely amazing! God is my joy, my peace, my comfort, and he is my rest. This weekend was a pretty http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=48 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 I've been in SE Asia 10 days now and am just today getting to my first blog post. Initially I wasn't able to even check my .mac email or update my homepage because th http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=47 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Okay, so I know I just wrote yesterday morning but yesterday was such a packed day I had to write about it and share it with you. God is GREAT! Thank you Lord for always knowing what we need when we need it. Thank you for putting us where you want us http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=46 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Ross posted some great photos on his blog.  Check them out in addition to his post below.  http://rylivinthelife.blogspot.com/ You're th http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=45 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Hello GBC Family and everyone else!I first want to start by saying that this isn't going to be just a simple blog. Alot has happened to me and through me since I got to SE Asia. Before I came on the trip I asked God to stretch me and boy has he. I as http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=44 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Below are a few blog postings from Omar, one of our SE Asia team members.  These entries might seem a bit incongruous since they've been edited for length and security.  Enjoy.... July 3, 2008Th http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=43 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Here are a few of Ted's blog postings.  Ted was the leader of the India team.  He's home in Dayton now while part of the team has moved on to SE Asia where Melissa will be joining them.  http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=42 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Our teams have finished their work/assignment in India and are now in SE Asia.  I'll copy a few of the postings from team members over the coming days.  Here's one from Josie, the team leader.  This was posted on the last day of traini http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=41 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Well, as I wrote in the last posting, I guess my brain was tired....because it's been over a month since the last post.  I'm in Owensboro for global impact team training.  On Tuesday, we'll drop off two teams (in one) at the http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=40 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 My brain is tired.  I’m returning from the Santa Fe worship mentor gathering where about 23 of us gathered to be together before God…to hear from God…to encoura http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=39 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 And one final thought from my trip to Austin.  Eugene Peterson uttered these words, “I never felt busy” as a pastor.  Are you joking me?!  How many of us can say that?  I’m good at throwing out arbitrary percenta http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=38 Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 And more from the trip to Austin.  First, let me take a minute to say that my brother-in-law, Lloyd, is a pilot for AirTran, which is a growing and quality airline.  We love AirTran.  But on my wa http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=37 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 “Forget your dreams.” – Eugene Peterson I recently attended the Transforming Culture: a vision for the church and http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=36 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 I pray that the lamp of Christ has shone on your head and His intimate friendship has blessed you.  This blessing comes from the language of Job in chapter 29.  I’ve been reading through Job recently…some diffic http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=35 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Hey all.  Well, I just had one of those wonderful moments we all have where I worked for quite a while on something only to be "timed out" of our admin. site so I lost the work.  Praise God.  I\'ll give it to you in short (an http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=34 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 I just returned from SE Asia (this is Martin).  Wow.  It was an honor to have the opportunity to teach and hang with musicians from at least 12 people groups/ethnicities from all over this amazing country.  The sense of community and a http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=33 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600 Martin will be heading to SE Asia Feb. 22-29 to be a part of a musicians forum where musicians from numerous people groups and tribes from all over an undisclosed country are gathering to discuss who they can flourish more deeply in what God has call http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=32 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 In our last post, we discussed the premise that worship IS about me. But taking it one step farther, worship is even more about WE (“us” if you like correct grammar). I once heard it said that "WE" is the language of tr http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=31 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600 A small bit of news. Worship Foundations is being featured on the homepage of lightstogether, which everyone with an lt account uses to login! A quick note on lightstogether.  At its core, LightsTogether is a “Group Centric http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=30 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600 As worship leaders and writers and pastors, we have frequently spoken these words, “Worship is not about me.  It’s all about God.”  And, frankly, this has been a necessary step in the development of our worship theology in http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=29 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600 Another place to find our global impact teams: http://www.rightnow.org/ServeNow/Default.aspx?ooid=1148&olid=-2&osid=-3&amp http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=28 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600 Check out our global impact section to find out where we're sending bands next summer (08).  If you or someone you know would be interested in playing music overseas through one of our global impact teams, we'd love to answer any questions you m http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=27 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500 God's love is so beyond me. I've been learning lately of the shallowness and worldliness of my so called "love". It's becoming clear to me that my love is, very often, conditional. It's conditional upon reciprocated service, http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=26 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500 I’ve been wrestling with the fundamental role of, what is in most cases termed, a worship leader in the local church. As I understand it, my role is to prepare a way for worship. Though my understand http://www.worshipfoundations.com/blog?story=10 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500