Kim Gentes

Forgotten Stories

It's hard to imagine the kind of plight and pain that is experienced daily by the poorest of poor in the world. Our internet-enabled western world is simply not often in touch with the reality of this kind of pain. But Dereck Williams can more than in touch conceptually.  He has been there, stayed there, ministered there. Derek is a long time ministry partner of Tommy Walker, having produced albums, run ministry ventures and written articles and books on the ins and outs of ministry, music, worship, business and the poor across the world.

My first contact with Derek was several years ago when he was running the worship/ministry efforts of Tommy Walker. Over the years, Derek is not only shown his giftedness in administering a powerful ministry, but has been somewhat of an entrepenuer in showing people ways to connect with real ministry. One such ministry is their ongoing travel and outreach to an area in the Philipines, near the capital city of Manila. In a beautiful effort to make a difference in the lives of real people in desparate need, Derek is spearheading a DVD/CD project that directly benefits 14,000 families living in a city dump outside Manila.  This benefit project is unlike any other you have heard of.  And to take it one step further, they have decided to record the audio project to a live web audience!  That is where this tech blog comes in.

This is the first time you may well have the opportunity to WATCH, listen and feedback to the live crew of veterans recording this project.  And this is no out-of-work list of musicians who are looking for PR.  The recording cast includes Jerry Watts, Sergio Gonzalez, Tom Strahle and Troy Welstad have played for artists such as MercyMe, Shane & Shane, Phil Wickham, Tommy Walker, Vicki Beeching, Evan Wickham, The Kry, Adam Watts, Pink, Hillary Duff, Jennifer Lopez, Herbie Hancock, Justo Almario, Peter Cetera, Sergio Mendes, Sheryl Crow and Simon Phillips.  This team is brought together to support Paul Stephens, a prominent worship leader from West Covina, CA.

This is not a one-track-at-a-time recording-- this is "live" in the studio. And you can be a part of it.  Amazing!  Kudos to the staff Derek has put together on this project for having the technical chops to make this an online webcast.

So please check it out live at http://www.forgottenstories.org/

Derek makes no apologies for this being a benefit project and encourages you to give towards it. I highly recommend Derek and this project and couldn't agree more with this encouragement to have people get involved in making a real difference.

Go check it out! 

Blessings

Kim Gentes