Worshipping in the Glory
Cross Country Worshippers Gather In New Jersey
by terrence clarkIntroduction
Cloudy with some rain was the forecast. The weather in Michigan and New Jersey was about the same on the last weekend of the first month of 2024. Two sisters from the Great Lake State drove the eight hours plus to make the journey to the Garden State. They would be joined by several others from elsewhere in the country to complete a worship team who had never met or rehearsed together before. It had been a Pentecost weekend, Friday night through Sunday morning. It was the book of Acts in action. There was an upper room, in the building but the main convergence was taking place on the lower level with the presence of God rising filling the place. God was manifesting his presence in a room, in a place, on his people. This time in January 2024 in the small Jersey town of Williamstown. God’s presence wasn’t new here, but this meeting was different as if arranged by God. A foretaste of his last days revelation. It was the second of an annual Worship Workshop hosted by Pastor Larry Clark of Family Life Church. Pastor Larry said the original intent and purpose of this year’s meeting was to have his church’s Praise and Worship team gather for more training, getting them to flow more in the Holy Spirit, and to understand worship. To accomplish this, he asked Pastor Darrell Copes also from NJ, who formerly ministered and traveled with Kenneth E. Hagin Ministries (Rhema) Tulsa Oklahoma to come in and teach the sessions. Pastor Larry said it was important for his church to start the year with training in worship. The meeting exceeded his expectations shared the pastor. “I was thinking one thing [something] just among our praise worship team, but it took off. It brought in people from all over and [by] that God accomplished what he wanted, and we were well pleased.” Now back home in their personal sanctuary, the cross-country team agreed to a Voice of One (voicecnc) interview. As we waited for all the invited to join, the pre-interview conversation was that of longtime friends in refreshing fellowship. I began to think this Zoom meeting was a continuance of the gathering almost a week passed. Eight people all together (including me) boxed in the Zoom room, from different states and time zones united to share, testify, and glorify the Lord. Meeting the worshippers
The people, most new acquaintances, heeded this call to NJ to worship as far as from California. All prompted by the inner witness of the Spirit of God, a desire to worship with other believers, and a call from Pastor Copes. And most were gathered again for a fourth night for this interview. |
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Pastor Willie McCarter, originally from East St. Louis, Illinois and now resides in Nebraska where he attends Spirit of Faith Church in Chadron Nebraska. He is an associate pastor and worship leader along with his wife Maria. Maria, who was also on the team, was not part of this interview.
Beth Tashnick resides in Warren Michigan (near Detroit). She serves at Solid Rock Church in Hazel Park, Michigan. Beth ministers in kid’s worship and everything else that needs to be done. Alecia Tashnick, Beth’s sister, also lives in Warren Michigan serves at Solid Rock Church and travels as well. Alecia said at her church she and Beth are not only involved in worship but many other aspects of ministry. She said they work anything you could think of that has to do with ministry. At church, they are the “go-to girls.”
Beth Tashnick resides in Warren Michigan (near Detroit). She serves at Solid Rock Church in Hazel Park, Michigan. Beth ministers in kid’s worship and everything else that needs to be done. Alecia Tashnick, Beth’s sister, also lives in Warren Michigan serves at Solid Rock Church and travels as well. Alecia said at her church she and Beth are not only involved in worship but many other aspects of ministry. She said they work anything you could think of that has to do with ministry. At church, they are the “go-to girls.”
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Kentrell Hall travelled to Jersey from Pittsburgh, California. Originally from Oakland, now abiding in Oakly, Kentrell attends The Bay Church, in Pittsburgh. He helps with prayer and teaching and served in youth ministry there as well.
Darrell Copes, Voorhees, New Jersey, is an itinerant minister, teacher, evangelist, worship musician and more. When he is in town, he visits In His Presence Ministries. Pastor Lucy Bailey is the pastor. He helps them in any capacity. For a season, he led their prayer and bible study. Also to note, his cousin Marquis Duncan, who was part of this interview, played keyboard for the gathering.
Pastor Larry Clark is the senior Pastor of Family Life Christian Fellowship. It was his God given vision to host and allow the open door for the gathering. Pastor Yvonne Clark, Turnersville, New Jersey is executive pastor of Family Life. She co-pastors with her husband Larry. Pastor Yvonne has served also as Praise and worship leader. She also served as a prayer intercessor and in various other positions in the church as needed.
Darrell Copes, Voorhees, New Jersey, is an itinerant minister, teacher, evangelist, worship musician and more. When he is in town, he visits In His Presence Ministries. Pastor Lucy Bailey is the pastor. He helps them in any capacity. For a season, he led their prayer and bible study. Also to note, his cousin Marquis Duncan, who was part of this interview, played keyboard for the gathering.
Pastor Larry Clark is the senior Pastor of Family Life Christian Fellowship. It was his God given vision to host and allow the open door for the gathering. Pastor Yvonne Clark, Turnersville, New Jersey is executive pastor of Family Life. She co-pastors with her husband Larry. Pastor Yvonne has served also as Praise and worship leader. She also served as a prayer intercessor and in various other positions in the church as needed.
What is worship?
The word worship is not only used in Christian or religious circles. It is not only associated with the worship of the God of the bible. The word has been used to express adoration, commitment and servitude to multiple things animate or inanimate, living, or dead. Things such as cars, houses, money, idols, mythological deities, people, dead saints, trees, animals, pets, entertainers, sports teams, and the big one---self have all been objects of worship. Christians know true worship is administered and directed to the God of the Bible. Our first interview question to the multistate worship team---"What is worship?” Alicia answered first. ”I believe that worship is a lifestyle. It's not just something you do at any particular time. I think that it is a lifestyle that you choose to live no matter if it's going good, no matter if it's going bad, no matter the situation, it's an action. It's not just talk. It's when you live life to be lively it is an action verb. So, worship, I feel, is an action. It’s in everything you say, and everything you do, and how you walk, and how you act, and how you react to things. That's what worship is. It’s when you can give everything you are to him. |
Her sister Beth added. “[Worship is] anything you do that gives glory to God. Like Alicia said, you give God glory in your lifestyle. And there are times specifically when we come together as a body to worship him together and minister to the Lord.”
“It makes me think of the scripture in the Bible,” said Kentrell-. The hour has come and now is when the true worshipers shall worship me in spirit and truth. And then in Roman 12 it talks about offering your body up as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. We know in the Old Testament they would offer up animals and that was a part of worship and sacrifice. That's what we're doing in our daily lives. We're saying, God, here I am.”
Pastor Larry explained what God showed him that in a traditional worship service some try to dissect the meeting. First there is Praise and Worship. Next, there is offering. Next, there is ministry of the Word. “God said, shared Pastor, “The whole thing is worship. If you dissect it---anything that you dissect is dead. So, worship is that flow of life to the Father, back to us, and to him again.
“Yes, it's a lifestyle,” injected Pastor Yvonne. “As the scripture says, ‘everything that we do, we should do it unto the Lord.’ And that's how we live our life. Everything that we do, we think about, we're doing it unto the Lord.”
Willie agreed with the other responses but supplemented. “I think worship is my response to what I know about him. Jesus said to the lady [woman at the well]. ‘You guys [Samaritans] worship what you do not know.’ So, what he reveals to me is worship.”
“It makes me think of the scripture in the Bible,” said Kentrell-. The hour has come and now is when the true worshipers shall worship me in spirit and truth. And then in Roman 12 it talks about offering your body up as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. We know in the Old Testament they would offer up animals and that was a part of worship and sacrifice. That's what we're doing in our daily lives. We're saying, God, here I am.”
Pastor Larry explained what God showed him that in a traditional worship service some try to dissect the meeting. First there is Praise and Worship. Next, there is offering. Next, there is ministry of the Word. “God said, shared Pastor, “The whole thing is worship. If you dissect it---anything that you dissect is dead. So, worship is that flow of life to the Father, back to us, and to him again.
“Yes, it's a lifestyle,” injected Pastor Yvonne. “As the scripture says, ‘everything that we do, we should do it unto the Lord.’ And that's how we live our life. Everything that we do, we think about, we're doing it unto the Lord.”
Willie agreed with the other responses but supplemented. “I think worship is my response to what I know about him. Jesus said to the lady [woman at the well]. ‘You guys [Samaritans] worship what you do not know.’ So, what he reveals to me is worship.”
Praise and Worship
The phrase "Praise and Worship" sounds like a unified team but are they synonymous? Can a believer engage one without the other? Referring to a congregation’s devotional time is when you most often hear these two together. What's the difference between praise and worship?
“With praise,” Willie was first this time.” You're boasting about God. You're talking up God. I see worship is talking to God. It's a deeper level of intimacy. When I think of worship, I have that relationship with him. I know he's my Heavenly Father and it is just a deeper level of living. I'm worshipping him. It's more intimate. It's talking to him."
“I think about it like this,” said Alicia. There’s the Outer Court then the Inner Court, and then the Holy Place. If you can think about it as the different sections. As you take a step deeper into… getting closer to the Throne Room, or getting closer, to back to the Ark of the Covenant. Getting closer to where God is.
The phrase "Praise and Worship" sounds like a unified team but are they synonymous? Can a believer engage one without the other? Referring to a congregation’s devotional time is when you most often hear these two together. What's the difference between praise and worship?
“With praise,” Willie was first this time.” You're boasting about God. You're talking up God. I see worship is talking to God. It's a deeper level of intimacy. When I think of worship, I have that relationship with him. I know he's my Heavenly Father and it is just a deeper level of living. I'm worshipping him. It's more intimate. It's talking to him."
“I think about it like this,” said Alicia. There’s the Outer Court then the Inner Court, and then the Holy Place. If you can think about it as the different sections. As you take a step deeper into… getting closer to the Throne Room, or getting closer, to back to the Ark of the Covenant. Getting closer to where God is.
“Praise it's a time where you're letting loose. You are getting rid of all that stuff where you can go into the Holy Place. [Going in] with pure or clean hands and a pure heart because sin can’t dwell in the presence of God. So, you need to get rid of all that stuff. There were sections in the Old Testament where first you do this. Everything was in order even what they wore. How they put it on. The different steps that they had to take to sacrifice."
"Worship is more of a vertical. It’s where you're talking about him, how good he is, and singing his name. When you sing the name of the Lord, or if you sing songs about the glory, or the Name, or the Blood or the Holy Spirit, it changes things. Instead of just singing songs about my life has been so hard. I'm so thankful. Yes, we're glad that God has pulled us out. But when, you can just talk about him all the names of God. When we just give it back to him, it'll revolutionize your life. |
"As Alicia was saying, said Pastor Larry, praise helps you to get rid of all that junk. You kick the devil out. So, when you go into worship, it's just you and the Father. There's no devil. You have stilled him. Praise stills the enemy. So, you are magnifying God, but you're also stilling an enemy. But when you get into worship, there's no enemy. It’s just you and God.”
Does God require worship?
I had remembered a man I use to work with. He told me he believed something was up there as he gestured with his head upwards, but he didn't believe we have to worship him. Why does God require worship?
Kentrell: Well, I know this, that actually a definition of the word. God is jealous. He's a jealous God. No one deserves worship but him because he's the creator of everything. He made us. We were created to worship him. Creation gives glory to God. I mean he just deserves the praise and the worship because he's our creator. He's jealous, not stingy, but jealous. So, he's a jealous God.
Willie: That's a good question. I remember I used to, before I knew some things, think, why does God want that? Why does he need that? I used to think like that. Is he just puffed up? And I might of thought crazy about that, but I realized something. When you understand who he is. What he's done. You're basically giving him credit for all that he's done on the earth.
When you understand who he is, it's an automatic response. It's not that he requires it so much in the sense that he's a bully and he's going to bully you into something. No, no, no, no. It's not that. It's when you truly understand who he is.
I have little kids and they love me. I don't require them to say Daddy, I love you. I don't require that of them, but they understand who I am. They see how good I am to them. It's just an automatic response. You just want to do it. When you truly understand who he is.
So, I wouldn't look at it as a requirement so much. I look at it as your understanding deepens who he is. Why would you not want to give it to him? It is like why would you not want to? And that's how I see it. It’s more of it's a heart response in regard to who he is.
Beth: That's good. Tagging onto that, I always look at worship, that really, it's for me. It's for the people. Because when we worship, we magnify him. He doesn't need to be magnified because he is. But it magnifies him in my heart and in my eyes. We just magnify him, and it makes him bigger than all of the things that we're facing and everything else. It just puts him in the forefront. Worship really benefits the people. I mean God of course loves it. It's a sweet-smelling savor to him when it's from our heart. But I feel we get more of the benefit out of it.
VoiceCNC: It sounds like a relationship.
Does God require worship?
I had remembered a man I use to work with. He told me he believed something was up there as he gestured with his head upwards, but he didn't believe we have to worship him. Why does God require worship?
Kentrell: Well, I know this, that actually a definition of the word. God is jealous. He's a jealous God. No one deserves worship but him because he's the creator of everything. He made us. We were created to worship him. Creation gives glory to God. I mean he just deserves the praise and the worship because he's our creator. He's jealous, not stingy, but jealous. So, he's a jealous God.
Willie: That's a good question. I remember I used to, before I knew some things, think, why does God want that? Why does he need that? I used to think like that. Is he just puffed up? And I might of thought crazy about that, but I realized something. When you understand who he is. What he's done. You're basically giving him credit for all that he's done on the earth.
When you understand who he is, it's an automatic response. It's not that he requires it so much in the sense that he's a bully and he's going to bully you into something. No, no, no, no. It's not that. It's when you truly understand who he is.
I have little kids and they love me. I don't require them to say Daddy, I love you. I don't require that of them, but they understand who I am. They see how good I am to them. It's just an automatic response. You just want to do it. When you truly understand who he is.
So, I wouldn't look at it as a requirement so much. I look at it as your understanding deepens who he is. Why would you not want to give it to him? It is like why would you not want to? And that's how I see it. It’s more of it's a heart response in regard to who he is.
Beth: That's good. Tagging onto that, I always look at worship, that really, it's for me. It's for the people. Because when we worship, we magnify him. He doesn't need to be magnified because he is. But it magnifies him in my heart and in my eyes. We just magnify him, and it makes him bigger than all of the things that we're facing and everything else. It just puts him in the forefront. Worship really benefits the people. I mean God of course loves it. It's a sweet-smelling savor to him when it's from our heart. But I feel we get more of the benefit out of it.
VoiceCNC: It sounds like a relationship.
Pastor Yvonne: That's the right word. That's what I was going to say. It's about relationship. It’s that bond when you worship him. It just strengthens and magnifies. Like Beth was saying it’s that bond that you have. It just makes it stronger.
Why this team? Having traveled with faith general the late Kenneth E. Hagin. Pastor Copes knows a lot of people. He has ministered before thousands. Still, he is called to smaller churches helping their pastors. The previous year he ministered in rural Williamstown South Jersey. It was just him and the Spirit at the pulpit. This year he brought a team uniquely selected by the Holy Ghost. I asked the pastor and teacher Why he believed the Lord inspired him to invite this team? |
Darrell Copes: Various reasons. Number one, I was definitely led by the Spirit when pastor invited me. I was just going to do it on my own like last year. We had a wonderful time last year as well. I was out ministering in Michigan. Alicia and Beth were ministering in praise and worship. It was just such a presence [of God] there. And I really knew in my heart that God was leading me to invite them to come to Jersey. Then I went to Nebraska a few weeks later. I was out there for a few days. We were seeking the Lord together. The men were. The Lord just put it in my heart to ask them as well.
One thing I know, they are prayers. Like someone said, it's a relationship. Pastor Yvonne Clark was saying that it's all about relationship. I know their relationship with God. They pray. They seek the Lord. They just don't sing. So, I knew what a deposit they would release here in New Jersey and at the church. So that's why I was led to ask them to come.
The team's commitment to worship
VoiceCNC: I understand that many of you were excited to come almost as if it was destiny. What did you expect, and did you believe it was accomplished?
Beth: I was very excited. I haven't done a lot of traveling outside of our church yet. So, it was just an exciting thing for me just to come and experience what that's like, for one. But our heart's desire is always just to allow the Holy Spirit to do whatever he wants to do and to flow however he wants to go. So, we just spend some extra time praying and getting ourselves filled up so that we're ready to release wherever we go, the deposit that God's put on the inside of us. I believe we did that.
Willie: I second what Beth said. Yes, I was definitely excited to do it. My expectation was, Hey God, whatever you want for these people? We spent time praying this out. I had spent time praying it out. And so, my expectation was that the Holy Spirit was going to give to New Jersey, this group, this body of believers that which was needed at that moment. So that was my expectation. I believe he did. I really do. I believe he did, and I was blessed.
Alecia: Selah. Definitely excited to come. I think that anytime when I come and I pray, when I seek the face of God, there's an excitement that's on the inside. What's he going to do next? I can't wait to get back in the presence of God just to hear what's he going to say. The Bible says he'll show us things to come. And so, there is always an expectation, even just when you're just by yourself.
It's so exciting to me because it’s always life changing. There's always something that the Spirit of God will say. You're thinking, I've lived this long, and I never knew that. You'd think I've studied. I've been taught. I've been trained. I spent time with the Lord. And the Lord will say one thing. There's a moment in the stillness. What? Wait a minute, what did you say? He says things like that. It just blows my mind every time. I knew that Brother Darrell said, this church, they want this.
You can go to different churches. It can be a tough crowd. You just feel, I might as well just go home. This is for the birds. But when you have people who are bringing their supply, and the river starts to flow, and it starts to move.
Really if time, if people didn't have to go to bed, you could really push through and get to a place where it's the next morning. You're thinking, we've been here all night doing this. But I think that takes time. When I first started really praying, I could maybe go 15 minutes before my mind's thinking, oh man, I got those dishes to do. So, the more you do it, the more it desensitizes you to your surrounding. And you can just step into that flow and keep going faster or stay in it deeper. Then you really want to see things. Pray a little longer. Pray a little longer. You start, the Lord will show you things.
Worship in the Last Days
VoiceCNC: How important is worship in the day that we live in?
Willie: Vital, vital. Very important.
Alecia: There are no more answers for you. There's nothing more we can do for you. That's what people are saying. This is it. This is what it is. Well, everything you see in scripture. What did they do? What did they send before the army?... the worshipers.
Now in the time that we're living in, everything is falling. Everybody's telling you. Those scrolls at the bottom of the news station should just say, ‘it's only getting worse. Things are getting worse.’ That's what it is.
But as believers just put blood over the door and you'll be fine. We'll just pass by. God will always protect his own. Always proven. It's been proven since the beginning of time. He will always protect his own.
Why not worship? Why not, you are worshiping him because… oh, he told us to put blood over the door to protect us. Thank you, Lord. I mean, if that's all you do, God, that's it. Things are getting worse, but we can be onlookers. We don't have to be a part of it.
Willie: Well, just makes me think. It's going to get dark in the world, but this is the church's bright as day. It says that darkness comes to the earth, but then it says that his glory shall arise upon you. For me, it is looking at Jesus in this time. It's not losing focus. My pastor, said that in the time we're living in, it's going to be like getting rear-ended[while] you're in neutral.
We have to stay moving. We have to stay focused on God and just pressing towards him. In this time, looking under Jesus, the author, the finisher of our faith. We're not looking to the right or left. It is so easy to get distracted. It’s important just to look to him in this time because that's where it all is. It's coming down to the glory of God. I just believe, in the time that we're living in, when we worship, we should expect the glory to come down.
I'm thinking about Azusa Street. That was literally the covering of what was happening. It was the glory cloud. It came and it rested in those services. We're living in those times as we press in. Just forget about time, just focus on him, and worship him. Like the Bible says, we are going to see things happen.
So, I'm excited it's going to get worse in the world, but we have the answers. The church has the answers. Christ in us is the hope of glory. And that's what God wants us to do to manifest him. But it's the people that are in his presence and we'll be able to release that glory that's on the inside of us.
Beth: I'll just tag on one thing. When we're worshiping, like you said, that's keeping our eyes on him. When we're worshiping, we're looking at him. That's good.
Personal vs public worship
VoiceCNC: So, what's more important? I hear about personal worship and I hear about corporate worship. What's the most important or is there a difference?
Alecia: You can't take anybody to a place that you have not been yourself.
So, personal worship helps you of course. Especially being on the platform, being leaders. It'll take you twice as long to get the people where they need to be, if you have not been in yourself. Look at Moses. They looked at Moses when he came down. He's glowing because he already was with God. If we can be with God. We already have him living inside of us. But we want to illuminate that, and we want to give that out.
If we're dry, if we haven't been to the wells to fill ourselves up, our rivers are going to be dry. And ain't nobody going to want to be coming to our show. They’ll say these guys are duds. Talent can carry you only so far, but talent doesn't equal the anointing. It just doesn't.
I was telling Willie, I said, how many people have gone to a Prince concert or Michael Jackson? These talented men. [How many] have been healed walking out? Not a one. Are you going to have someone playing the kazoo that's anointed and a kid that gets their leg grown out or gets a new kidney? I don't know. You can't take people where you haven't been yourself.
Pastor Darrell: Worship in the last days is very important. I'm still fixed on Jehosaphat. I think that's a wonderful example. Take the time to read 2 Chronicles 20, it covers so much. Worship is honoring God. Worship is putting your eyes on him. Worship is remembering your covenant. Worship is allowing God to fight your battle, especially in the last days.
After God spoke through the prophet and said, ‘the battle is not yours. You have no need to fight.’ The one thing that stands out to me is that Jehosaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. It's a posture. Worship is a posture. It represents humility. Here is the king, the leader of thousands of people, but yet he bowed his head and with his face to the ground and he worshiped the Lord in front of everyone. It is a heart issue. And on top of it, it says that he worshipped and blessed the beauty of holiness. Worship is all the essence of God, all that He is. His quality. So, you're giving recognition to the qualities of God for who he is and what he is to us.
And notice, he bowed his head and worshiped God before the Lord even fought their battles. So, he was worshiping God. Praise and thanksgiving---we can thank God after the battle is won, after the healing. And that is rightfully so. Jesus spoke to the ten lepers, ‘go show yourself to the priests.’ And then when only one came back, he said, where are the rest?
One thing I know, they are prayers. Like someone said, it's a relationship. Pastor Yvonne Clark was saying that it's all about relationship. I know their relationship with God. They pray. They seek the Lord. They just don't sing. So, I knew what a deposit they would release here in New Jersey and at the church. So that's why I was led to ask them to come.
The team's commitment to worship
VoiceCNC: I understand that many of you were excited to come almost as if it was destiny. What did you expect, and did you believe it was accomplished?
Beth: I was very excited. I haven't done a lot of traveling outside of our church yet. So, it was just an exciting thing for me just to come and experience what that's like, for one. But our heart's desire is always just to allow the Holy Spirit to do whatever he wants to do and to flow however he wants to go. So, we just spend some extra time praying and getting ourselves filled up so that we're ready to release wherever we go, the deposit that God's put on the inside of us. I believe we did that.
Willie: I second what Beth said. Yes, I was definitely excited to do it. My expectation was, Hey God, whatever you want for these people? We spent time praying this out. I had spent time praying it out. And so, my expectation was that the Holy Spirit was going to give to New Jersey, this group, this body of believers that which was needed at that moment. So that was my expectation. I believe he did. I really do. I believe he did, and I was blessed.
Alecia: Selah. Definitely excited to come. I think that anytime when I come and I pray, when I seek the face of God, there's an excitement that's on the inside. What's he going to do next? I can't wait to get back in the presence of God just to hear what's he going to say. The Bible says he'll show us things to come. And so, there is always an expectation, even just when you're just by yourself.
It's so exciting to me because it’s always life changing. There's always something that the Spirit of God will say. You're thinking, I've lived this long, and I never knew that. You'd think I've studied. I've been taught. I've been trained. I spent time with the Lord. And the Lord will say one thing. There's a moment in the stillness. What? Wait a minute, what did you say? He says things like that. It just blows my mind every time. I knew that Brother Darrell said, this church, they want this.
You can go to different churches. It can be a tough crowd. You just feel, I might as well just go home. This is for the birds. But when you have people who are bringing their supply, and the river starts to flow, and it starts to move.
Really if time, if people didn't have to go to bed, you could really push through and get to a place where it's the next morning. You're thinking, we've been here all night doing this. But I think that takes time. When I first started really praying, I could maybe go 15 minutes before my mind's thinking, oh man, I got those dishes to do. So, the more you do it, the more it desensitizes you to your surrounding. And you can just step into that flow and keep going faster or stay in it deeper. Then you really want to see things. Pray a little longer. Pray a little longer. You start, the Lord will show you things.
Worship in the Last Days
VoiceCNC: How important is worship in the day that we live in?
Willie: Vital, vital. Very important.
Alecia: There are no more answers for you. There's nothing more we can do for you. That's what people are saying. This is it. This is what it is. Well, everything you see in scripture. What did they do? What did they send before the army?... the worshipers.
Now in the time that we're living in, everything is falling. Everybody's telling you. Those scrolls at the bottom of the news station should just say, ‘it's only getting worse. Things are getting worse.’ That's what it is.
But as believers just put blood over the door and you'll be fine. We'll just pass by. God will always protect his own. Always proven. It's been proven since the beginning of time. He will always protect his own.
Why not worship? Why not, you are worshiping him because… oh, he told us to put blood over the door to protect us. Thank you, Lord. I mean, if that's all you do, God, that's it. Things are getting worse, but we can be onlookers. We don't have to be a part of it.
Willie: Well, just makes me think. It's going to get dark in the world, but this is the church's bright as day. It says that darkness comes to the earth, but then it says that his glory shall arise upon you. For me, it is looking at Jesus in this time. It's not losing focus. My pastor, said that in the time we're living in, it's going to be like getting rear-ended[while] you're in neutral.
We have to stay moving. We have to stay focused on God and just pressing towards him. In this time, looking under Jesus, the author, the finisher of our faith. We're not looking to the right or left. It is so easy to get distracted. It’s important just to look to him in this time because that's where it all is. It's coming down to the glory of God. I just believe, in the time that we're living in, when we worship, we should expect the glory to come down.
I'm thinking about Azusa Street. That was literally the covering of what was happening. It was the glory cloud. It came and it rested in those services. We're living in those times as we press in. Just forget about time, just focus on him, and worship him. Like the Bible says, we are going to see things happen.
So, I'm excited it's going to get worse in the world, but we have the answers. The church has the answers. Christ in us is the hope of glory. And that's what God wants us to do to manifest him. But it's the people that are in his presence and we'll be able to release that glory that's on the inside of us.
Beth: I'll just tag on one thing. When we're worshiping, like you said, that's keeping our eyes on him. When we're worshiping, we're looking at him. That's good.
Personal vs public worship
VoiceCNC: So, what's more important? I hear about personal worship and I hear about corporate worship. What's the most important or is there a difference?
Alecia: You can't take anybody to a place that you have not been yourself.
So, personal worship helps you of course. Especially being on the platform, being leaders. It'll take you twice as long to get the people where they need to be, if you have not been in yourself. Look at Moses. They looked at Moses when he came down. He's glowing because he already was with God. If we can be with God. We already have him living inside of us. But we want to illuminate that, and we want to give that out.
If we're dry, if we haven't been to the wells to fill ourselves up, our rivers are going to be dry. And ain't nobody going to want to be coming to our show. They’ll say these guys are duds. Talent can carry you only so far, but talent doesn't equal the anointing. It just doesn't.
I was telling Willie, I said, how many people have gone to a Prince concert or Michael Jackson? These talented men. [How many] have been healed walking out? Not a one. Are you going to have someone playing the kazoo that's anointed and a kid that gets their leg grown out or gets a new kidney? I don't know. You can't take people where you haven't been yourself.
Pastor Darrell: Worship in the last days is very important. I'm still fixed on Jehosaphat. I think that's a wonderful example. Take the time to read 2 Chronicles 20, it covers so much. Worship is honoring God. Worship is putting your eyes on him. Worship is remembering your covenant. Worship is allowing God to fight your battle, especially in the last days.
After God spoke through the prophet and said, ‘the battle is not yours. You have no need to fight.’ The one thing that stands out to me is that Jehosaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. It's a posture. Worship is a posture. It represents humility. Here is the king, the leader of thousands of people, but yet he bowed his head and with his face to the ground and he worshiped the Lord in front of everyone. It is a heart issue. And on top of it, it says that he worshipped and blessed the beauty of holiness. Worship is all the essence of God, all that He is. His quality. So, you're giving recognition to the qualities of God for who he is and what he is to us.
And notice, he bowed his head and worshiped God before the Lord even fought their battles. So, he was worshiping God. Praise and thanksgiving---we can thank God after the battle is won, after the healing. And that is rightfully so. Jesus spoke to the ten lepers, ‘go show yourself to the priests.’ And then when only one came back, he said, where are the rest?
So thanking God is right, but worship, he bowed his head and his face to the ground and worshiped before the Lord fought his battles. So that gives us a whole other view of what worship is. He blessed the beauty of holiness. In other words, he was already worshiping God for just who he is and what he is to him.
So, it's going to be very important for us to live a lifestyle of worship in these last days because there will be some battles you cannot fight on your own. There'll be some battles that you cannot buy your way out of. There are going to be some yokes. There's going to be some weapons that are formed against you. There are going to be some fiery darts that are going to be launched against you. But one of the greatest weapons is to worship the beauty of holiness, Hallelujah, as they did then.
It is so important for the husband to show affection to his wife in front of the children. So, the kids can get used to seeing what it's like for dad (or mom) to love. [So, they can see] what is pure and true love. That's an example.
And a lot of times, when children grow up in that environment, and seeing that all the time, that daughter is going to look for a man that would show affections and love her, like her dad loved her mother. And that young man is going to do the same thing towards a woman. Look for a woman like that that will receive his affection.
And I reference that to leaders, the church needs to see the head of the church, which is the pastor and the pastoral staff, worship God. Jehosaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and he worshiped the beauty of holiness. All of him, all of his essence. For who? If you don't even fight our battles, we worship you. It takes humility. He wasn't one of the soldiers, one of the worship leaders, he was the king of that whole nation. But he had no problem worshiping the beauty of holiness. Hallelujah. Amen. We know the results.
And notice after the man of God bowed his head with his face to the ground and worship God, then the people shouted with a loud voice and began to worship and praised the Lord. Hallelujah. They followed the leader. Then after that, it was history. And when the moment, they began to sing and to praise.
The difference between worship and praise. And as they begin to praise the Lord, he set ambush. So, they both are important. They can have their rightful place to fit in. But I'm telling you in the last days, it is so important for us to live this lifestyle and worship the beauty of holiness. Amen.
Our children need to see it. Our young adults need to see it. And, they need to hear mommy and daddy worshiping God. They need to fall asleep hearing us, praise the Lord. For the Lord is good, and his mercies and endures forever. Hallelujah. And we see that in the Old Testament.
So, it's going to be very important for us to live a lifestyle of worship in these last days because there will be some battles you cannot fight on your own. There'll be some battles that you cannot buy your way out of. There are going to be some yokes. There's going to be some weapons that are formed against you. There are going to be some fiery darts that are going to be launched against you. But one of the greatest weapons is to worship the beauty of holiness, Hallelujah, as they did then.
It is so important for the husband to show affection to his wife in front of the children. So, the kids can get used to seeing what it's like for dad (or mom) to love. [So, they can see] what is pure and true love. That's an example.
And a lot of times, when children grow up in that environment, and seeing that all the time, that daughter is going to look for a man that would show affections and love her, like her dad loved her mother. And that young man is going to do the same thing towards a woman. Look for a woman like that that will receive his affection.
And I reference that to leaders, the church needs to see the head of the church, which is the pastor and the pastoral staff, worship God. Jehosaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and he worshiped the beauty of holiness. All of him, all of his essence. For who? If you don't even fight our battles, we worship you. It takes humility. He wasn't one of the soldiers, one of the worship leaders, he was the king of that whole nation. But he had no problem worshiping the beauty of holiness. Hallelujah. Amen. We know the results.
And notice after the man of God bowed his head with his face to the ground and worship God, then the people shouted with a loud voice and began to worship and praised the Lord. Hallelujah. They followed the leader. Then after that, it was history. And when the moment, they began to sing and to praise.
The difference between worship and praise. And as they begin to praise the Lord, he set ambush. So, they both are important. They can have their rightful place to fit in. But I'm telling you in the last days, it is so important for us to live this lifestyle and worship the beauty of holiness. Amen.
Our children need to see it. Our young adults need to see it. And, they need to hear mommy and daddy worshiping God. They need to fall asleep hearing us, praise the Lord. For the Lord is good, and his mercies and endures forever. Hallelujah. And we see that in the Old Testament.
You can't go too far by saying, praise the Lord. For the Lord is good and his mercy and endures forever, and the glory doesn't show up. Hallelujah. And the cloud doesn't show up. Amen. Amen. You see it all in Chronicles. You see it in Exodus. They stood outside of the tent and praised the Lord.
And you notice something else when they praised the Lord, and the glory of God was revealed. There was such a fear and a reverence. These people, they were not born again, but they had a reverence for the things of God. Praise God. So, in the last days, we can walk in that glory and in that cloud from the inside, worshiping and praising the Lord, for the Lord is good and his mercy and endure us forever. And the moment we do, we can have our battles turn. We can have our situation change. |
It doesn't matter how long we've been in it, or how big the army is in these last days. I think that the borders are down. There are recorded over a million illegal immigrants that are in. Those are the ones that are recorded. We don't know how many got in. But notice these are just not people. These are people who have come from different countries. And, when they came in from different countries, they brought in their idols. They brought in the way they worship their gods (demons) and are connected to these people. They just didn't come in, just a human being. These spirits are attached to them. All these different nations, tongues, and their idols. They came in through the doors.
But we thank God because we know how to turn by praising God. For the Lord is good, and his mercies endures forever. And those same demons that came in with them, they're going to have to go right back out the door, out of the border, because the light will be shown. So, I think it's very important to worship the beauty of holiness.
He worshipped the beauty of holiness for us to set that tone, to set the stage for the next generation and for our children. They’re listening, they’re hearing what's coming out of our mouths. And you notice, I never heard so many cussing Christians and cussing ministers in my whole life. They cuss just as quick as they say, thank you Jesus. Hallelujah. And that's not true worship. That's not true Worship. Bitter and sweet water cannot come out the same fountain.
So, worship is a posture of the heart of humility. And from our heart, when we truly worship God, we won't be able to say other things. And to cuss somebody else out, cussing another person out is equivalent to just putting a curse on them. You can't really do that when you are in the presence of the Lord. Praise God.
But we thank God because we know how to turn by praising God. For the Lord is good, and his mercies endures forever. And those same demons that came in with them, they're going to have to go right back out the door, out of the border, because the light will be shown. So, I think it's very important to worship the beauty of holiness.
He worshipped the beauty of holiness for us to set that tone, to set the stage for the next generation and for our children. They’re listening, they’re hearing what's coming out of our mouths. And you notice, I never heard so many cussing Christians and cussing ministers in my whole life. They cuss just as quick as they say, thank you Jesus. Hallelujah. And that's not true worship. That's not true Worship. Bitter and sweet water cannot come out the same fountain.
So, worship is a posture of the heart of humility. And from our heart, when we truly worship God, we won't be able to say other things. And to cuss somebody else out, cussing another person out is equivalent to just putting a curse on them. You can't really do that when you are in the presence of the Lord. Praise God.
Worship in the last days will keep us (you) as a Christian and an individual. You won't be tainted by the world. When you are worshiping God from your heart. No matter what area of ministry you’re in. You won't be tainted because you are a worshipper. When you truly worshiping God, you can't cuss, or you can't curse your brothers or your sisters. Amen.
A significant thing VoiceCNC: Going back to the service two weekends ago. What was the most significant or memorable encounter at the meetings? Kentrell: For me, it was seeing the power of God demonstrations. So many times you hear people talk about the power and then you go home [thinking] where's the power? But we've seen it in demonstration. |
I know that the people were blessed. I was blessed. I got prayed for. I left with the impartation. I have an expectation of the glory of God now. So that was the biggest thing for me, just seeing the power of God in demonstration and just seeing everyone used. I spoke to Willie's wife. She prayed for me. She had started laughing. She said, ‘wow, I just felt the power.’ I mean, it was good. It was good. I really enjoyed myself. Amen.
Darrell: I think for me it was just seeing the different streams and the different ministry gifts coming together. Beth and Alicia never met Willie, Mia or Kentrell. And they never met you guys. Yet when we all came together, we all had a supply even for you guys. Pastor, your church had a supply for us. We all just streamed and flowed together. I say the most significant thing was that we saw the body of Christ in action.
Impartation
VoiceCNC: This question is for Pastor Darrell. You ministered impartation at the meeting. What is it? How does it relate to worship?
Darrell: I think for me it was just seeing the different streams and the different ministry gifts coming together. Beth and Alicia never met Willie, Mia or Kentrell. And they never met you guys. Yet when we all came together, we all had a supply even for you guys. Pastor, your church had a supply for us. We all just streamed and flowed together. I say the most significant thing was that we saw the body of Christ in action.
Impartation
VoiceCNC: This question is for Pastor Darrell. You ministered impartation at the meeting. What is it? How does it relate to worship?
Darrell Copes: Willie used a good example. It’s an equipping. Batman had the utility belt. It had everything that was necessary for whatever task that he was faced with. I believe that the laying on of hands and the impartation was something added in the utility belt to equip the individuals.
Some recognize it right away. Some may not. Yet, their lifestyle started changing. They're thinking more about scriptures. They're thinking more about God. They're thinking lo, there was an adding to the utility belt. They were being equipped for the last days. And, that was the impartation, the laying on of hands. Paul said, ’how I long to get to you that I may impart somethings to you by the laying on of my hands.’ So, I believe that everyone that received this impartation received another [piece of] equipment in the utility belt. Willie: Darrell prayed for me. He said, I'm speaking to the gift. I'm not talking to you. I'm speaking to the gift. My pastor, when I got back home, asked me to teach or whatever. So, I did my little thing---teaching and prayer. And then, at the end, the Word of Knowledge started flowing. I've never had that happen before. So, when I think of impartation, [I think], something was released. And, impartation relates to worship because, you can't get in God's presence and him not give you something. He's a gift. He's always going to give you something. It's just how good he is. So, he's a rewarder. And so, in relation to worship, you're not going in there and leaving empty handed. You say, come bold before the throne of grace, you're going to receive something. So, I think they go hand in hand. You can't leave his present without getting something. |
Why New Jersey?
VoiceCNC: And that kind of runs into the next question. I think some of you kind of answered it. All of you are from different places. Why New Jersey for this first meeting?
VoiceCNC: And that kind of runs into the next question. I think some of you kind of answered it. All of you are from different places. Why New Jersey for this first meeting?
Alecia: I Believe because Darrell asked us. I think if there's a need for it and people want it. You’re not going to go someplace where nobody's hungry. You can try. But if you have people that are hungry, you're going to find food. You're going to find what's doing what? Who's doing what? This is what we want. So, you are drawn to that kind of thing.
Pastor Clark, you're drawn to Darrell because there's something that you can pull from him. And then, with him, he knows. It's all in who you know. This one can do this. This one can do this. And when we all come together, it's a catalyst. It really is. It's a catalyst, a starting point where not only are we changing this town, this state, whatever. But we're taking that back from what we received. We give out, we get filled up, and then we take it back. And it affects people everywhere we go.
Willie: I think it was the hunger. I think the people at the church were ready for it. There was a pull that was in worship. It was just a flow. When it's a flow, you can just sense that they were ready. Man, I was hungry.
Are you ready to do it again?
Are you ready to do it again? When asked, these interstate worship leaders responded with some version of yes. You could sense they were answers of passion, conviction, and desire for more. Alecia also referred to the hospitality dinner served after one of the meetings. “As long as [Lauren] she makes that salmon again will come. Huh? That's all I need. Easy.”
Pastor Clark, you're drawn to Darrell because there's something that you can pull from him. And then, with him, he knows. It's all in who you know. This one can do this. This one can do this. And when we all come together, it's a catalyst. It really is. It's a catalyst, a starting point where not only are we changing this town, this state, whatever. But we're taking that back from what we received. We give out, we get filled up, and then we take it back. And it affects people everywhere we go.
Willie: I think it was the hunger. I think the people at the church were ready for it. There was a pull that was in worship. It was just a flow. When it's a flow, you can just sense that they were ready. Man, I was hungry.
Are you ready to do it again?
Are you ready to do it again? When asked, these interstate worship leaders responded with some version of yes. You could sense they were answers of passion, conviction, and desire for more. Alecia also referred to the hospitality dinner served after one of the meetings. “As long as [Lauren] she makes that salmon again will come. Huh? That's all I need. Easy.”
Who is Jesus?
It’s usually not a question directly related to the interview but is much relative to the interviewees. I asked the team the Voice of One interview question.
VoiceCNC: Well, I have one more question for you. Who is Jesus Christ in your life?
Kentrell: He's different things to me, but I can say in this season, he's definitely restored. He's definitely redeeming. Amen. So, I thank God that he's just restoring things and the dream and the vision and all that. So, in this season he's restored. Amen. Amen..
Willlie: In this season of my life, he is Blesser. He is covenant keeper. He is the blesser. I mean, wow, you say it is hard not to go long, but that I'm just summing that up, making it. He is the blesser.
Beth: That's hard to answer. My goodness. He is just the joy of my life, the lover of my soul, and so my redeemer. My healer. My strengthener. But all in all,
Alecia: I guess I could sum it all up into saying, I guess provider, because a provider is healing strength, finances. You can fit all that into one saying he's a provider. Provider of what? Provider of redemption, provider of finances, provider of sending his son for us, provider of pouring his love out. I mean, you could go on. What a silly question to ask us at the end. We could go on and on.
You hear people that say they get mad at God. I don't care how bad your life is. There's nothing that I could say it's God's fault that this happened. But that comes from knowing him and knowing his character and knowing. People say God did this. No, he didn't because I know him, and he doesn't do that. I know what the word says about him. Doesn't it say he'll stick closer than a brother. He is your best friend. He is your brother. He's your father. It's all just combined.
Pastor Yvonne: Yes, in one word. He's my everything in every area. He's the mother and father that I don't have. He's the wisdom that I need, my helper, my friend, everything.
Pastor Larry: I was thinking he's my friend, but then I thought, he's someone I want to be like. Yeah. I want to be like him. Wow. Praise God.
Darrell: That's a good question. I just have to piggyback off of everyone. Everybody. I have to say the same thing. Everything everyone said.
Beth: I will say one more thing. I work a secular job as well. So, I'm around a lot of people that don't know him. A lot of the people that come and talk to me about stuff want the peace that I have. And so, there's so much chaos going on in people's lives and in the world and confusion. But he's our Prince of Peace. So, no matter what's going on around us, we always have that peace. People are drawn to that peace that we have.
This interview was edited for length and clarity. For full unedited audio click here.
It’s usually not a question directly related to the interview but is much relative to the interviewees. I asked the team the Voice of One interview question.
VoiceCNC: Well, I have one more question for you. Who is Jesus Christ in your life?
Kentrell: He's different things to me, but I can say in this season, he's definitely restored. He's definitely redeeming. Amen. So, I thank God that he's just restoring things and the dream and the vision and all that. So, in this season he's restored. Amen. Amen..
Willlie: In this season of my life, he is Blesser. He is covenant keeper. He is the blesser. I mean, wow, you say it is hard not to go long, but that I'm just summing that up, making it. He is the blesser.
Beth: That's hard to answer. My goodness. He is just the joy of my life, the lover of my soul, and so my redeemer. My healer. My strengthener. But all in all,
Alecia: I guess I could sum it all up into saying, I guess provider, because a provider is healing strength, finances. You can fit all that into one saying he's a provider. Provider of what? Provider of redemption, provider of finances, provider of sending his son for us, provider of pouring his love out. I mean, you could go on. What a silly question to ask us at the end. We could go on and on.
You hear people that say they get mad at God. I don't care how bad your life is. There's nothing that I could say it's God's fault that this happened. But that comes from knowing him and knowing his character and knowing. People say God did this. No, he didn't because I know him, and he doesn't do that. I know what the word says about him. Doesn't it say he'll stick closer than a brother. He is your best friend. He is your brother. He's your father. It's all just combined.
Pastor Yvonne: Yes, in one word. He's my everything in every area. He's the mother and father that I don't have. He's the wisdom that I need, my helper, my friend, everything.
Pastor Larry: I was thinking he's my friend, but then I thought, he's someone I want to be like. Yeah. I want to be like him. Wow. Praise God.
Darrell: That's a good question. I just have to piggyback off of everyone. Everybody. I have to say the same thing. Everything everyone said.
Beth: I will say one more thing. I work a secular job as well. So, I'm around a lot of people that don't know him. A lot of the people that come and talk to me about stuff want the peace that I have. And so, there's so much chaos going on in people's lives and in the world and confusion. But he's our Prince of Peace. So, no matter what's going on around us, we always have that peace. People are drawn to that peace that we have.
This interview was edited for length and clarity. For full unedited audio click here.