Samuel Stanley Jones: “Prayer is the only source that gives life to our talents”

5Talents: When did you know you wanted to be a worship leader?

Ever since my childhood I’ve been attending regular Sunday school and participated in choir. However, my mother encouraged me in singing and music. Above all this, God has enriched me in leading worship.

5Talents: Did you need special training or coaching, or did it all come naturally?

I believe that it’s a gift from God. To improve this God-given talent, I’ve been attending and participating in the worship ministry.

The next thirty minutes

5Talents: When you get the chance to lead a group of youth in worship, what are your goals right there at that time? What are you hoping you’ll be able to accomplish in the next thirty minutes?

I feel that I’m the source of worship chosen by God to lead the congregation in a holy manner and make them experience the passionate love of God — agape. My goal is to make them feel very easy and comfortable, to make them free from the chains and bondages of the world through the songs I sing, and lead them into worship. I make it very clear to myself that “when God has come to take all our burdens and pains, why should we still carry them?” Keeping this as my agenda, I look forward to the next thirty minutes to make up their minds to easily take the word of God.

5Talents: What does a lifestyle of worship mean to you?

Worship means a lot to me, especially as a worship leader. It simply means to live a life of love. Worship requires something from us, and that is obedience, God-fearing. It is not just a song we sing but a life we live.

It is not just a song we sing but a life we live.

On what worship asks of you

5Talents: What are the things that bring you inspiration as a worship leader personally? I mean, being a leader, we sometimes get distracted by worldly desires. How do you stay inspired?

For me personally, I’m always aware of the process that our hearts take in worship — when my heart begins to soften as the Holy Spirit moves on me, and a desire for God awakens in me. It is a very tough time, especially for the people on the stage facing the audience, to get distracted. I keep myself very cautious of what I’m doing so that shouldn’t be a problem for me.

Sweet wine from the crushed grapes

5Talents: You have discovered the talents in you. Is that so difficult? What do you suggest to those who have not yet discovered their gifts, still unused for the kingdom?

I always get reminded of a quote: “sweet wine from the crushed grapes.” I believe that discovering a talent is never a difficulty or a burden. Talent is an empowering source to our life. Everyone has gifts from God, but we lack knowledge of His will in our lives. I can definitely say that prayer is the only source to give life to our talents, which can be used for the kingdom of God.

5Talents: Being a teen leader, have you experienced others discouraging you? If yes, how do you manage the situation?

Being a teen leader, I don’t say people have discouraged me. In fact there are people who make suggestions to me. I humbly accept them and apply them to my life for my betterment.

5Talents: How would you define your prayer life?

Prayer is the only weapon to overcome anything — that is what I’ve believed since my childhood. We can see things changing only through prayers, and that very much happens in my life too, especially in the time of ministry. Through prayer anything is possible.