Community Church Music Pastor Bobby Coverston calls his recent trip to Brazil to perform at an evangelistic music festival a “pretty life changing event.”
Bobby’s hastily assembled Willow Creek Association Summit Band received rave reviews from the large crowds. By all accounts the trip was a resounding success musically, spiritually and relationally.
Bobby and the band arrived in Brazil with a prepared set list but after the first day had to change things up.
"They really wanted us to lead worship with songs they would sing along with,” Bobby explained. "We had to throw everything out. It’s one of those perfect examples of having the tools and gifts to be able to do something but then completely trusting God with the outcome. This is not what we planned. We had a great set and had to completely ditch it.”
The extra effort paid off. The concert on the second night was well received. “People told us, ‘You really connected with our people and made it a powerful event,’” Bobby said. "Clearly God’s hand was in that.”
There were approximately 25,000 people in attendance each night. “I’ve never been part of a crowd that big, or a crowd that responsive,” Bobby said.
When one of the band members, former GBCC staffer Sylvia Christensen, started singing “Oceans,” the crowd erupted.
“Sylvia killed it,” Bobby said. “It was so cool. I got choked up. Even on stage when she started singing I was bawling.”
Sylvia and fellow singer Carissa Trepanier became almost instant stars among the Brazilian audience.
"It wouldn’t be what it was if not for those two gals,” Bobby said. “They led the way. The songs they led were songs the crowd responded and connected with."
It was an unforgettable trip, according to Bobby. “We had a ton of fun,” he said. “Lots of laughing, good food, incredible experiences."
