February 4, 2008

Weekly University Worship services have a new energy this school year, thanks to a “Mob” of students.

Each tine the La Sierra University community gathers for mid-week worship in the church sanctuary, praise and worship is led by as many as 50 student singers and 25 student musicians. This unprecedented level of student participation in worship has brought a new energy to the Thursday morning services, and has helped communicate to students that the University gathering to worship is very much a communal event.

“Last year Nick Coffey, a senior math and mucsic major, and I were talking about our dreams for praise and worship in our church,” says Sam Leonor, campus pastor. “As we were talking I shared my dream with him and he ignited. It was a very exciting God moment. He had the same vision for involving more students and making worship at LSU the very best it could be.  Nick is also interested in arranging and conducting large ensembles. We met with a few students we thought had potential for being committed leaders in the worship ensemble and they caught the vision also.”

What started out as the University Worship Choir has unofficially become known as “Mob Praise,” and the group’s motto is “Be part of the Mob.” Students can participate whatever their music ability, as long as they love to sing, and love to worship God. Coffey arranges the music for the group, and rehearses with the groups two nights per week.

“When students see their friends on stage, they support them by being engaged themselves in worship, reducing the amount of distractions that go on in the congregation,” says Evelyn Moore, University Worship director and a senior global studies major. “Mob Praise has also raised the bar in quality of music presented. Its an amazing blessing to listen to Mob Praise on Thursday morning; seeing participants put their heart and soul into worshiping God inspires you to worship as well.”

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)