International (MNN) — Between a pandemic, social tensions, and political conflict, our world today is riddled with division. Lots of people have ideas to address the chaos, but there aren’t many public figures saying, “You know what we need? One big, international worship service.” But that’s exactly what Global Disciples says.
Coming up on November 20, Global Disciples will be hosting an international Christian worship event called NationsWorship. The free event will be hosted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and broadcasted online for WorshipWatch Parties and individuals worldwide to tune into.
(Photo courtesy of Guillaume de Germain via Unsplash)
Tim Bentch, Global Disciples’ worship specialist says, “We feel it’s really important that we come together and worship together and — as the Body of Christ — stand together as one, saying that there is nothing that will divide us. Our oneness is in Christ and…no matter how difficult things may be, we want to focus on giving thanks and proclaiming who Christ is, that He reigns over the whole world and that He gives us hope.”
NationsWorship will have times of worship and praise as well as contemplative prayer, personal stories from believers around the world, and even various forms of inspired art.
“We’d be glad for new songs, some artwork, [and] some different types of digital media that could be put into this worship experience.”
Bentch says Global Disciples is also “asking for video submissions from creative people from all over the world that we can put together to give glimpses of what worship is like in different cultures, including our own.”
Even if they can’t include your submission in the event, Global Disciples will have a page to post extra content from artists over the following months.
Click here if you would like to contribute to NationsWorship!
And, of course, be sure to mark November 20 on your calendars. You can register here for NationsWorship to get the Livestream link.
(Photo courtesy of Global Disciples)
For the event, you can watch by yourself or you can organize a WorshipWatch Party with friends, family, and even your church or small group!
Bentch says they have connected with different groups of believers to share the opportunity to join NationsWorship — everywhere from Indonesia to Kenya.
“I think here in America often in the churches, we kind of have a myopic view — which I think happens everywhere, but it’s here now…. ‘This is our way of being Christians.’ Until we’re exposed to other cultures, we just don’t even realize what our limitations are and our worldview, how limited it is sometimes.”
For example, Bentch says, “[In] these types of experiences, we see, ‘Wow, that’s how they worship in Myanmar? Wow, that’s incredible.’ You can sense when it’s authentic and real. It broadens our perspective and helps us have a better understanding of who God is and what God’s purposes are in the world.
Also, in hosting NationsWorship as a virtual event, Global Disciples hopes this global worship experience will speak to younger, technology-engaged generations.
(Photo courtesy of Global Disciples)
“I was excited when I shared it with my two daughters who are 19 and 22 and they said, ‘Actually, we would watch that!’” Bentch chuckles, “If they’re in, I think it’s hitting the mark.”
Ultimately, Bentch says of NationsWorship, “We’re hoping that it can be a real global experience in raising our voices together, and learning to value our different expressions of worship together.”
Header photo courtesy of Global Disciples.
*Last name changed for security purposes.
