Page 23 - Joshua's Journal

A young boy playing the piano in a small rural town gifted musically, so he actively recruits. HINT! HINT! was not the coolest thing that Lundy could have done Just as Lundy says, “In ten years, he has never heard a so he sought to put an end to those pesky piano lessons. bad sermon by Pastor Washington. That is the model However, his mother, being a strong southern Black and motivation he uses in rehearsals and wants the mother immediate declared: “The devil is a liar! You Temple Choir to be consistently effective.” He views will continue those lessons and you will play the piano!” their ministry in music as a ‘5 Minute Sermonette.’ “You Momma and Daddy paid for that piano with their hard- can’t deliver it and then apologize and say ‘I didn’t get earned money, and neither their money nor his gifting it right; let me start that over!’ Of great importance is is going to go to waste! Along with the piano, Lundy preparation and rehearsal, but those things become sec- also played the trumpet in the Thomasville High School ondary to asking the Lord to seal it with his power!” Marching Band. He was one of the original members of the Georgia Mass Choir and that was the beginning of Lundy has worked hard in developing the Music and his entry into the professional side of the music industry. Worship Conference that was started at the Glenn Dale location in hopes of fostering unity. He notes that “It’s In spite of his musical talents, Lundy was also exploring easy to say I sing in this choir on this Sunday with no a career that would pay well. To that end, he aspired to real collaboration. We started the conference to really be an attorney or a pharmacist. It was not until he came come together as one.” As the Director of Christian to matriculate at Howard University, and not succeeding Fine Arts, he was appointed by Pastor Washington to in other areas, that he began to then give serious prayer direct the choirs, dance ministry, orchestra, and Angelos about life and his future endeavors. One day in his time to all work together. “Through the Music and Worship of prayer and meditation, God spoke ever so clearly conferences we’ve done that — brought some fresh- to him and said “How have I always taken care of you? ness to how music and ministry is done.” The musical It’s been through playing my music.” That was a life- events that take place at the Community Fair, Easter altering day for Lundy as he then had clear direction and Christmas at the Temple, Pastor’s Anniversary and on what his vocation would be. the Church’s Anniversary have all been a result of that collaboration. Once at a Howard University homecoming, Lundy didn’t have money to attend a gospel concert. As he I pushed the envelope in asking Lundy to speak to the walked by Cramton Auditorium and listened from the idea of musicians and choir singers being referred to outside, God moved and led someone to pay for his often as “Divas.” He gave that wonderful hearty laugh ticket. Once inside, he immediately realized a song he has and said it was actually an “oxymoron” and a recorded by the Georgia Mass Choir was being sung, contradiction of being a Christian. He added “I’m very but in his opinion, this choir delivered a much clear that it’s not about me, but more of Christ, but I’m improved rendition. In an instant, he decided that not sure a lot of musicians get that. There needs to be music was what he wanted to pursue — he wanted a true understanding of what ministry is versus industry. to be a choral director and learn how the voice works Lifting up the name of Jesus and magnifying Him and and conclude how to get the best sound out of a choir. seeing Himthat must be the goal! God has given us these talents. Serving Him in humility — serving the After graduation from Howard in 1994 with a Bach- people — means we must constantly stay in God’s face elor of Arts in Music Business with a concentration seeking direction on how to lead.” He adds “We want in Voice, Lundy’s choir, the “Ministers of Music,“ was people to approve of us, but it’s really not necessary born. He did not launch the choir to receive awards as long as you’ve done the best you can according to or accolades; rather, he wanted to create a good, solid how God has given it to you.” Lundy always feels choir that would exhibit excellence and give God glory. very blessed and realizes he is doing what God would Their very first CD was the result of persons asking for have him to do when people come up and say the it (being sold out the back of a truck) and eventually ministry really blessed them and transformed their being nominated for a Stellar Award! entire worship experience. When asked about the Temple Choir, Lundy says that Lundy has been married to his wife Joyce for 14 years they are simply trying to follow Pastor Washington’s and they are both career oriented, which makes for a vision to sing with anointing. He notes that there are smooth working and marital relationship. He continues many church choirs that stand and sing but don’t neces- to pray for God’s continued anointing upon the music sarily believe in what they sing. He adds that there are ministry at Reid to bring peace, healing and deliverance quite a few persons that sit in the congregation that are to all who are willing to receive it. www.reidtemple.org • 21 www.reidtemple.org • 21