Blog@GraceJunction

Music, they say, can bind you or liberate you. Which (if true) lays so much onus on the one who delivers such a music. What’s more, it gets tempting if the music world beckons you with the so-called “commercial success”.

For Dayanidhi Rao as well, the choice was tough. Several times, did this world beckon (read: lure) him too. “There were times when I wanted to quit, and accept offers to join big bands that offered me lots of fame and money. Then there were internal hurts, and criticism too that I had to battle. But the still small voice within kept telling me….hang in there!” says Rao, who is better known as Daya.

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In the Bible, one of the earliest and the most manifest presence of God experienced by mankind was when God appeared to Moses in a ‘Burning Bush’ on Mt. Sinai. And what better way to be known as a dedicated group of musicians and singers that stand and minister before the Lord in worship than ‘The Burning Bush’.

As one of the many ministerial wings of the Bangalore-based Face2Face Foundation, The Burning Bush, led by Ray Williams, seeks to lead the Body of Christ into the ‘throne’ room of worship. They follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the direction of worship. Their style is modern worship music; diverse electric and acoustic sounds with emphasis on prophetic worship. The skilled musicians and worshipers bring together a creative mix of contemporary and original praise and worship songs.

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“Pyaar toh andha hai woh dekh nahi sakta, pyaar toh behra hai woh sun nahi sakta, pyaar toh goonga hai woh kuch bol nahi paata, pyaar toh paagal hai kuch samajh nahi sakta.  Jab do premi mil jaaye, toh duniya bhaadh mein jaaye, aur unke prem ki koi samajh nahi. Us prem se kahin zyada hai mera Jeevandaata Jisne mere liye Apni jaan bhi di…(Love is blind it cannot see, love is deaf it cannot hear, love is mute it cannot speak, love is crazy it doesn’t understand. When two lovers come together the world is lost, and their love is past understanding. Much greater than this love is my Saviour Who even gave His very life for me…)”

The above lyrics in the recent past have made inroads among many a youth (Christian and otherwise). To come to think of it, it is still continuing to break newer barriers.  And why not!  They come from a 24-year-young musician – Sheldon Bangera - who has been raised up in the “amusing” city of Mumbai where life is beautifully contrasted with ironies. (more…)

From a leading worship in a Mumbai-based church to becoming the second best Hindi Band in the country, this Christian rock band has come a long way.

In a world of music, especially rock music, marred with hopelessness, depression and drug abuse, Yeshua Band’s music is themed around youth revival, and concentrates on conveying to the youth that it is impossible to live in this world without God and that putting God first is not “un-cool”.

Probably this is why the band chose to deliver the message of love of God through one of the most contemporary media – rock music. And their decision to play gospel rock has brought them accolades from both the Christian and secular circles. Needless to say, Yeshua came in second in Radio City’s hunt for India’s best Hindi band in early 2008. (more…)

One of the biggest challenges any music band can face is… sticking to its name. Yet, Hyderabad-based Sounds of the Nations (SOTN) took up the challenge.

So what began as a brainchild of its founder Dan McCollam’s vision to raise worshipers and leaders across the globe in 2003 has now become one of the leading Christian rock bands of the country. So much so that by now, SOTN has toured and performed extensively in and out of home, and shared stage with various celebrated artists such as Delirious?, Hillsong’s Peter Wilson and Reuben Morgan, Derek Joseph from Isaiah 6, Planet Shakers, and Tim Hughes, among others. (more…)

How often have you gone to a public meeting to find a 7 year old boy being asked (sarcastically) to preach in proxy of an absent speaker? And to find that the boy preaching fire, leading only to conversion of many at the meeting? To me, never. But that’s precisely what happened during early ’90s to an audience of one such meeting in South India when Shyju Mathew took up the challenge which went on to be a humble beginning of his powerful ministry.

Born on January 17, 1986, in a small town called Pathnamthitta, Kerala, Shyju Mathew developed an intense hunger to know God at a very early age. Encouraged by his mother Mrs. Kunjumol Achankunju’s prayers and support of his mentors, the young boy began to spend much time in prayer (at least an hour everyday). (more…)

He suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and 60% lung damage. He is an inventor who has come up with his own versions of guitars (world’s first bongo guitar and a 54 string guitar).Led by rejection, bad health and rejection, he attempted suicide at the age of 16.

On November 25, 2010 (at age of 35 years), he became the fastest person to have traveled every country in the world.

That’s Dr. Benny Prasad from Bangalore. Born on August 6, 1975, Benny Prasad had - what could be called - a non-promising start. Suffering from Asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, 60% lung damage and an immune system regularly failing him, his life during childhood was always threatened. Add to that, in spite of a highly regarded scientist at the National Aerospace Laboratories as his father, Benny Prasad went on to master a fiery and quick temper, forgery and “expertise in the art of lying”. As if that wasn’t much of a disappointment for his family, he tried to attempt suicide at the age of 16 out of depression. (more…)