Crossing the Border for an Alpine Adventure

We left McDonalds with our bellies full. We had just come across the border from Italy into Switzerland. Here we go! Another new country to explore. We thought Italy was gorgeous. Switzerland just takes it to another level. It is just amazing!! I tried to capture every photo I could. We’ll have to get some more on the way out.

We headed to a little town called Olivone – up on a mountain in the Alps. The hotel we checked into has the most comfortable beds we’ve slept in since we left America. We all took a nice nap when we got there.

And let me tell you… we had never in our lives seen a church more beautiful than this. From the artwork on the ceiling to the sculptures on the ledges to the gold lined walls behind the pulpit to the enchanting colors throughout the building, this seemed to be a miniature Sistine Chapel. You will have to see the photos to truly appreciate it. No… you’ll have to go there and see it in person.

The sound check was on point. You know… come to think of it… we’ve had better sound on this tour than we usually have for our engagements in the states. I’m going to miss these guys that have been making us sound so full and rich. They really know what they are doing. It appears that they are engaged in ensuring the sound is as good as it can get from the beginning of the show until the very end. They catch feedback very quickly… before it gets to that ear-piercing point. They try to ensure that everyone in the building not only can hear the music but also can fully enjoy the experience. Working with them has been a great pleasure. Their expertise has allowed my voice to last for the entire tour. Thank you, guys!!

Then, again, we discovered that the restroom was in another building. So, we had to go outside to get there. We take so many things for granted in America… especially in our “big city churches.” But your worship is tested when you are offered the opportunity to worship in uncomfortable circumstances. If your intensity lessens because of your discomfort, I suggest that you re-evaluate the authenticity of your worship. Here, on this tour, there was no time for questionable worship. We had to be real.

People filled every seat, every crack, lined the back wall… all to hear “gospel music.” This was the community’s huge annual event and the first Gospel concert held in this church. This was a bit of a tough crowd… very reserved. But, the building was completely packed. It took a while to get them going. But, “Oh Holy Night” was just what the doctor ordered. When we did “The First Noel,” they came completely alive… and stayed with us for the rest of the journey.

We had developed a bit of a comedy routine on stage. We started trading riffs and runs… particularly “The Well” and me. But, this night, more of the group got in on the act. I heard “Chicken on Bikes” ripping it up. Shocking!! She was gettin’ it! The crowd seems to enjoy it. Also, on this night, I even challenged the crowd. You should have heard this Swiss crowd doing riffs with me. It was very cool. Thank you, Andrae Crouch, for the idea.

Over the last five or so shows, we’ve made “You Are Lord – Agnus Dei” our personal worship time. It allows us a moment to leave the performance and go hard after God. We’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to verbally reflect on the journey and openly bless God for bringing us through it. By the time we get to the “Hallelujah Chant” we are caught up in the glory of God. Those moments make the grind of the road worthwhile.

After the concert we came out to greet the crowd. We would have been selling CDs but we sold out in Naples. I guess I should have brought more. As we were talking with the crowd, a group of four was standing to the side – all of whom spoke some English. One young lady in the group – perhaps the spokesperson – began to share how they were moved by the intensity of the worship. She asked if that was the way we praised God all the time. “Yes!” She proceeded to say that it was a great testimony to them, that God could be worshipped this way. Too often, she said, their people sit quietly in worship – with a few rebels making noise. But now they are encouraged to worship more intensely.

Another young lady was speaking with some of the other group members about how she couldn’t sit quietly through the concert. We all were feeding off her energy throughout the show and told her how much we appreciated her enthusiasm. She shared how she doesn’t understand how people can sit during such worship and be so silent. Yeah… we really do understand.

Ron Kenoly recorded a live worship project in Italy some years ago and I have a copy of it. That album helped me learn words in Italian to facilitate praise and worship. Thank you, Ron.