I was skeptical as to the benefits of a church music festival only for Christians, but I was wrong. This festival was started in the 1960's in order to bring together diverse churches of all denominations and faiths, catholic and protestant, through music. This year, they asked me to pull together a group of English speakers to represent the English-speaking church body of Japan. During lunch and rehearsals throughout the day, we had great conversations. The church of Japan needs more opportunities like this to encourage one another. Here is a short video I took of all the featured choirs singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" during rehearsal.
