God Must Love
Drummers
by Steve
Martin
“David,
ceremonially dressed in priest's linen, danced with great abandon before God.”
(2 Samuel 6:14 THE MESSAGE)
Drummers fascinate me. They beat on those
skins. They bang on the cymbals. They give it all with such passion. Even as
King David danced with great abandon before God, I know drummers who have given
it their all, also in worship.
God must love drummers.
Laurie and I have led bands through two
decades - in churches, conferences, and in public places outside of the church
walls. Whether it was leading the Steve Martin & The Raiders band
back in 2002 (did you get that CD? Well, no one else did either!), the Ahava
Love Band from 2011-2013 (we did get some recordings with these great
guys) or the worship teams with All Nations Church (1994-2001), Cornerstone
Fellowship (2002-2004) or Antioch International Church on occasion (2011-2013),
one thing I really appreciated were our drummers.
I remember all well, for each one had a
special style. Combined with their joy and commitment to keep the foundation of
the music going steady, the sound they generated would fill the place. Often during the set I would
look back from my position in the front, give them a big smile of
encouragement, and continue leading, along with them, the listeners and
participants into the presence of the good Lord.
The list is long. Ron Bowen from Rock
Hill, SC has probably played the most hours with us. Beginning with All Nations
Church in 1998 or so, he was on the team for the Friday night all praise and
prayer times we called The Watch of the Lord, with Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda.
We’d lead worship from 10 pm until 6 am for years. Ron would be one of those
banging on the drums.
Ron Bowen on the drums
Steve Martin & The Raiders - 2002
When we started the Raiders, Ron was our drummer. Who was
the drummer for Ahava Love Band? Ron Bowen of course. His heart for the Lord
was contagious, and I loved seeing his big grin from behind the glass in the
corner, filling the room with his joy and zeal for the Lord.
Steve, Laurie, Wane Daroux on bass...
and Ron Bowen on drums!
(both photos)
Gilbert Crespo, All Nations Church, now
playing in person for the Lord Jesus in heaven, was a perfectionist. His
Caribbean flair just added immensely to his renditions. When we had guest
worship leaders at our Mahesh Chavda Ministries conferences from 1995-2001,
Gilbert was the drummer of choice. He recorded several CDs with Robert Stearns
of Eagles Wing, and others.
Brian Cockfield of Cornerstone Fellowship,
a mature drummer in his late 40s, seemed to always have this real seriousness
about him. All knew it was coming from a firm love for the Lord. James DeVito,
also at Cornerstone at the time we were, was a young guy with big aspirations. But
getting him there on time was a challenge we helped him work through, because the Lord
had His hand on James.
Matt Wyns of Antioch International Church
was another favorite of mine. He had that particular look while playing,
occasionally sharing a smile which you might catch coming out of the corner of
his mouth, that let you know this was good stuff. I like Matt.
Savannah (I knew her mostly as Jill before
she changed her name) could keep the rhythm with the best of them. Her
Caribbean heritage also added greatly to her style.
When Laurie and I go to our home church of
MorningStar in Fort Mill, SC every Sunday and for conferences, my heart is so
blessed to see the young kids give it their all on the drums. Their passion for
the Lord is so contagious, as I see them play with boldness and immense
strength. For hours on end I think, some of them could go on and on and on.
Little energizer bunnies.
You know why I believe the Lord loves
drummers so much? Because as hard as His heart beats for the nations, I can see
His expression of that love come through them as they share their talent and
skill with the church body. Whether it is playing a soft, gentle love song, or
a steady, warring anthem, these men, women and kids come to play their finest
for the King.
Be it a little drummer boy or a mature
man, full of wisdom and sensitivity to the moving of the Holy Spirit in their
movements, God is so blessed by their expression of love for Him.
Keep on drumming guys! You serve the great
King of kings, Commander of the Armies of Heaven, and soon returning Messiah,
full of glory and song.
You have truly been a joy to team with,
and now a joy to watch and worship alongside, for the glory of the Lord God of
Israel.
Thank you my friends,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit
USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father
in the nations.
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Ahava Love Letter #123 “God
Must Love Drummers” Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.23.14)
Sunday at 5:00 am in Charlotte, NC).
All previous editions of Now Think On
This & Ahava Love Letters can be found on this Blog, and our newest
website: Now Think On This & Ahava Love Letters
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