The prophet Isaiah had a vision of worship in heaven. Seraphim called to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah was convicted of his sin. “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” A seraph touched his lips with a coal, cleansing his sin and guilt.

Then Isaiah overhears a conversation in the heavenlies—the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here am I. Send me!”

When we come to the Lord in fervent worship and seeking prayer, we draw close to His heart. Like Isaiah, we are convicted of sin, purified, and set free. We experience healing and transformation. Our hearts are changed. We receive His burden for the lost and His commissioning and empowerment to go.

This is why, three years ago, Global Disciples felt the Lord leading us to initiate a fresh emphasis on worship. Many newly-planted churches wanted to understand how to worship. We created regional trainings where carefully selected worship leaders gather with our regional staff. Through this training, we want to multiply a movement of trained worship leaders who are sound in character, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and skilled to lead and equip others in fervent, anointed worship.

Over four days, we explore what it means to worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) within their local cultural context and language. Worship leaders are taught to write songs based on scripture, and to train others.

We look at what the Bible says about praise and worship, and seek the Holy Spirit’s anointing to lead others into God’s presence. Isn’t that what we all long for? To be in His presence, to enter into the Holy of Holies, to find grace, forgiveness, healing, and life.

This worship teaching and training has been received with great joy. In many regions, worship leaders immediately go and train other worship leaders. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, a Worship Leader Training was held in December. This group has held six worship leader trainings since then, and all completely self-funded.

Volunteer-led Worship Leader Trainings also took place in Brazil, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, India, and Nepal.

These times of worship have led to healings, people being filled with the Holy Spirit, and committing their lives to Jesus. A woman walking by a church in Kenya heard the worship, came inside, and immediately surrendered her life to Jesus because she encountered God’s presence.

We want to go deeper in fervent worship, to better know our incredible God whose great love propels us into His mission for the lost.

–Tim Bentch, Global Worship Leader