Vesekhoyi Tetseo (Vee)

Dear Friends,

As much as I would want to be consistent in writing, I realize being a Pastor and a Musician as well, I end up having my schedules jam packed. Our convention called Okinawa Baptist Convention has a month Thrust on Evangelism “Nuchidu Takara” Or “Life is Precious” festival. I am taking care of worship, band and sound so as you can imagine, it’s not been an easy week. Anyway, today I had the time to look back at  the blog and decided I should post some excerpts from what I wrote some years ago and published in a Japanese worship book. Well to cut off from excusing too much, I as soon as I get a break from all these schedules I hope to write more.

I am a proponent of Blending Worship which would also mean the blend of Traditional and Contemporary music style. Not only is Traditional Worship Traditional but Contemporary Worship has also become a tradition with its roots in the Jesus movement of the 60s, coupled with other influences from Black-Gospel, Pentocostalism, and other popular music styles. In taking an example to simplify our understanding,  we all agree that families have traditions because each year we find ourselves consistently repeating what we did the past years thus making it a family tradition. Likewise, contemporary worship style has also become a tradition in itself and I  qoute Greg Scheer who says, “..Praise and Worship has itself become a tradition.” He adds,  “In its Thirty-year history, it (Praise and Worship) has become a dominant music style of the evangelical church.” Anyway, to cut the story short, here is what I thought I would like to share with you all. Credits to authors I have quoted will be posted later on. Hope a word or two brings light to your Christian worship roots. Read the rest of this entry »

Folks,

I am sorry for not being able to sit put and write. You’ll all have to excuse me. I will write soon in the meantime I thought I would like to share these pictures from my concert. Will post more.

Thanks.

Vee

Folks,

It’s been a quick week and I can’t imagine how my time is zapped up like a blink of the eye. Monday comes and within no time Sunday is here. Yet, life is such a wonderful gift from God to be lived at the fullest. Although we are partly experiencing the economic downfall, I believe we are all ready to face any challenges and come out of this mess soon. We must continue to pray for our leaders. Anyway, without much ado, I thought I would like to update some of my thoughts on writing worship songs.

Writing songs for worship as I have learned is a 3 way process. First, I, most oftentimes write worship songs from my own personal devotions. Worship songs can be personal. The Scripture/ God’s words has to speak to me first. What does God say? How is it going to impact to me personally? Unless, there is a personal testimony to your songs, songs can become song-sake and your relationship with God may not be reflected in the song.

Second, Worship songs can be corporately addressed. What is the proclaimed Word? To whom it is addressed? What is the Scripture teaching us through the particular verse? How will the song affect the congregation? Carefully analyze any worship songs of this generation, and you will find there are songs that is addressed as ‘I’ or sometimes ‘We/Our’. It does not necessarily mean that because it is addressed as ‘I’ it is not a worship song. Our personal worship can be corporately shared by each individual and sung as a congregation. Example, ‘I worship You,’ “I give you my heart’ ‘Our God is an awesome God,’ ‘We’ve come to bless your name’ etc. It means the author of the song has had the congregation in mind and is collectively desiring that the Scripture has something to say to the congregation, and that is, addressed to the people as a response to God.’ Read the rest of this entry »

Folks,

Thought I would like to jot down few thoughts about writing songs for worship for our folks who are aspiring to write one. I will try to cover some basics in a series.

As you may well know yourself, writing songs can both be easy and difficult. There are times I would compose a song in less than 3 minutes. Other times it takes hours and even years. I have this song called “Come to Me” that took me two years to complete. Every time I would sit down to write the song, the words just doesn’t fit the music and an inner voice doesn’t agree with the lyrics I am working on.

Yet, in all of these, the most important thing I have learned is to know that you are writing a devotional poetry that reflects who you are to God. Most of my songs have come from personal devotions. After reading a certain Scripture, and after I have been meditating on the word of God makes me realize many things that can be talking to me or an encouragement that will uplift your congregation. As I write, my one and only focus is God Himself. God whom I adore, worship and to whom I give worth to express my wholehearted love, honor and worship. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Folks,

Two weeks past and here I am preparing for yet another concert in Okinawa. This time it’s my CD release concert, scheduled for October 12th.

Tokyo Charity Concert for the Myanmar Cyclone victims was well attended. Although the chapel hall was small the response I heard was very good. The Band!! We did pretty well, enjoying every bit of the songs we played. It’s always wonderful when you play with experienced players and most especially when you have been playing together for some years. It’s not easy to take care of a band but when you start jiving together you don’t really have to worry so much about what’s going to happen next.

Our sound engineer was none other than our Tokyo Peace Church   Pastor’s son Kazuki. He is only 19 and his team members were just around his age, that is, 15-20. What impressed me was the time we     had to set up   the sound before the concert. They started setting up      at 3:30 pm. We started our sound check at 4:45 pm until 6:00 pm.       They did a superb job.

All the funds that was raised will go towards re-building homes,    shelters for those who need immediate medical attention etc in   Myanmar. It may cover only a certain geographical portion of    population but then they need help.

(Senior Pastor Makoto Tanno, Tokyo Peace Church with my band members)

Well, soon after Tokyo Concert, I had my brother Vesato Theluo come all the way from Nagaland, visiting with my family. I was happy to have had a close brother come and see us while also having the opportunity to know what’s happening back home.

(Vesato, working out the vending machine)

Hearing of home was pretty stressful, straining, disappointing, hurting to hear the reality of the situation at home; nonetheless, quite challenging too, to hear how some folks are trying their best to bring about change in Nagaland. May God continue to give them wisdom as they strive for the best. A sincere appreciation to the CM Rio (Don’t know him personally) for ushering and providing new visions to young people to not only explore but to help dream big for themselves. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello,

This is a great way to blog and keep you all updated.

Had a concert in Nagoya Friday tonight!  That was my first “Amazed” live since it was released.

‘His Call’ church’s pastor Hosoe and Etchu were just the same age with me. (Secret!) And so it was very uplifting to see my own aged guys pastoring and excited to serve God here in Japan. When we talk about ministry here in Japan, people normally don’t know that about 80% of Pastors in Japan are of 60-70 years old and we keep praying that more young people will committ to God’s call.

Music never fails to connect with people. I was glad to see many young college and high-schoolers come to the concert! To our (Me and His Call Pastors) surprise, we had people dancing on my Latin song. Read the rest of this entry »