University Ministries is a popular worship service for Pepperdine students but the student-led band that brings it all together every Tuesday night at Malibu Presbyterian Church operates under the radar. By design.
“We have a certain anonymity says soundboard controller Brody Wooton. When I explain to my friends that I’m going to UM early because I’m in the band most of them are genuinely surprised.”
While huddled in a small back room of Malibu Presbyterian during a recent break the worship band’s eight members opened up and provided a glimpse into what it is really like to be a part of UM.
This year’s band is composed of three guitarists two singers two soundboard controllers one drummer and one keyboarder. It includes Pepperdine students Matt Deseno Afton Whiddon Kelly Smith Jordan Deseno Jonathan Flowers Graham Lightner Alan Holley and Wooton.
“We were just coming to UM anyways and they had the application says Matt Deseno of his decision to tryout. Since then, he has become the band’s worship leader and is responsible for recruiting many of the others to join as well.
So far, so good.
The band members are all extremely close, and they constantly tease each other and joke around like good friends. Hands down the best thing about being in the band is the people says lead guitarist Lightner. We’re like a family adds Smith of the group’s dynamic.
This closeness could be a result of the sheer amount of time the students spend together. The band takes about 10 hours per week to prepare for UM, which includes lengthy rehearsals every Sunday. At these rehearsals, the band practices the songs Matt Deseno has chosen for the week. Deseno makes his choices after consulting with UM pastor Dave Pommer to learn that week’s topic. I find songs to track with that idea and go with it. Our mission is to blend he says.
Rehearsal isn’t all work, though. We really want to be intentional with our time and make it more than just technical or musical Matt Deseno says. In fact, the band members make it a point to spend quality time together and to incorporate food and bonding activities. They begin each session, for example, with a round of happies and crappies otherwise known as highs and lows.
We just eat pray and jam together says Wooton. We have a blast agrees Lightner. In fact, all members express thankfulness to be working with other open-minded individuals willing to serve God. Our band isn’t hierarchical like some of the other bands you see says Holley. Nobody’s bossing each other around here.”
It’s obvious that the students value each other as more than simply bandmates. Offstage they laugh and toss jokes around like family. “They’re my best friends says Jordan Deseno of his fellow musicians. It’s nice to know they have my back he says, referring literally to their support for him after a recent back surgery.
The band members support each other in other ways as well. According to the students, stuff goes wrong all the time during UM that they must help each other through. Recently, Lightner knocked over a guitar. In the past, Matt Deseno has broken a guitar, and sound has suddenly gone dead. But the band always gets through it together.
Problems happen every time… but you know what let’s do it. We just do it says Wooton of the band’s mentality. They’ve learned to trust in each other and to rely on God.
In the end, all members agree that being in the band is rewarding. Along with the worship, prayer, and sharing that occurs at UM, the band’s music plays an integral role.
We’re creating an atmosphere that allows others to worship and to grow closer to God says Wooton of the best aspect of being in the band. Their songs of praise help connect other college students with Christ. What’s so great about the band is that I think we all have such a passion for music and we’re able to use this passion to serve God says Whiddon.
We fuse our love of God and worship and music adds Smith.
This passion clearly translates into the band’s commitment and dedication to their work. Our attitudes may be in flux but there is always the same steadfast enthusiasm and love for what we do says Whiddon.
Matt Deseno adds that they are thankful to be in such a unique group with such great opportunities. Its cool that we have the environment where we can invest so much time into our work and into really creating a great worship environment. Our whole mission is to create a place where people are comfortable to open up.”
One of the advantages for achieving this mission is that the UM band is church-based. Not only do the members have a great environment at Malibu Presbyterian Church but they also have great equipment and great support. “We have people praying for us here says Wooton.
These are just a few of the aspects that make the band unique. The members themselves also give the band many advantages. We’re all really involved and serve other aspects of Pepperdine as well … but here we come together as one says Wooton.
There’s a lot of crossover addsMatt Deseno.
The members come from all different backgrounds at Pepperdine, but put their skills to use in order to serve in the band.
Over the past year, the band has grown and developed in numerous ways and has taught its members many valuable lessons. The most important thing I’ve learned is that playing in the worship band can be taxing draining… it’s so important to have a place where you’re pouring out and being filled up says Lightner.
His bandmates agree that through their service, the band helps foster a real sense of community among students at Malibu Presbyterian. Although they are widely anonymous, they have great impact in the Pepperdine community.