A musical chorus of string strums and voice dominates the room and carries over from each instrument to the ears of the audience. It’s another performance by junior Chris Lomeli’s church worship band. Lomeli, who has been playing guitar for three years is enthusiastic about playing music in the band with his friends and for the community. Hours of practice and studying often payoff for him and his friends at each performance. Overtime, the group has become closer and closer. “I think people would agree that even people who have been in secular bands that as time goes on then those people will become part of the family,” said Lomeli. “The thing I think that sets the secular scene of the band apart from a pious one is the motivation behind it.” For Lomeli, being in the band is more than just having fun and performing for his friends and family. Although everyone involved is able to showcase their own particular talents, the setting makes up a large part of the music.  

“That same band, we started to try doing our own covers of songs, but it’s never clicked as much as did when it was a worship band,” said Lomeli.  “Its to connect them to a higher power, for us it’s not just being on stage to be there, if it was i would probably be scared outta my mind.” Lomeli is the leader of the band, which has about 7 people in it at any time. Although he enjoys guiding those around them through spiritual music, he wasn’t always as confident in his own ability to play in the band. “When i first started out i thought i was just gonna practice with my small group leader, but they brought me up on stage and i was so nervous that i put the cable on the wrong fret and i had apologize for the crowd and we had to stop the song,” said Lomeli. “I remember the first time i was asked to lead, and i remember saying no. i didn’t feel like i could lead these people who i knew were better than me, and how are they supposed to follow me when i messed up?” Since becoming the leader Lomeli has found a true purpose for his talent with the guitar and believes that everyone can contribute to the band if they wanted to. This has led him to develop new viewpoints on the talent that people can possess. “Everyone has a gift of sorts. The gifts that you have can be used for more than self recognition,” said Lomeli. “You know serving in that way makes me happier than serving in other ways, where you’re stronger I think that’s where you are called.” The music of the band itself has taken on many directions with different kind of instruments over time, but Lomeli and others feel that this can lead to growth of the band. This is another part of Lomeli’s philosophy that if someone has the talent and drive, then they should be able to project that somehow. “We got banjo, acoustic, rhythm electric, keys occasional, very rare mandolin, cello, violin, grass instruments, we have base , we have drums,” said Lomeli. “If there’s a sound that we don’t have but that we want up there we just find someone else in the congregation that can do it. If not, then maybe someone outside the congregation who really has a passion for what they play.” Along the way, lomeli has been supported by both his friends and family who have contributed to helping him on his journey in the band. “He uses his gifts and talents to worship and serve god and it’s a joy to see,” said Lomeli’s youth pastor Lucas Jackson. “I don’t really listen to worship stuff but when they go up on stage and they’re all there it’s really good,” said Anthony lomeli, Chris’ brother.

The band is still practicing and playing as much as they can , for what they feel is a very spiritual purpose. Lomeli is at the forefront leading them, and enjoying every minute of it.