CO_November16

NEWS & EVENTS
Sharing God’s message through music
By Jordan Grantham
HOMELESS AND DESPERATE,
Francis Muyeeka thought his life
had no meaning. Expelled from
school and disconnected from separated
parents, the mean streets of Uganda were a
harsh reality. “I thought I wouldn’t make it
through,” Francis said.
Now Francis is a 26-year-old man,
confident in himself and the faith. He
performs vibrant Christian music, in the
style of soulful pop.
For most of this year he toured Australia,
giving musical support to the Australiawide
team of the National Evangelisation
Team ministries.
NET ministries is a group of young
Catholics who speak at schools, youth
groups and facilitate prayer across many
cities in Australia. Six NET teams are
stationed around Australian cities.
Francis was on the Uganda-wide NET
team for two years, which transformed
his life. It taught him elementary
worship music, public speaking and
leadership skills.
Since then, Francis’ life mission is to share
God’s message using music.
“It has the unique capability to link
the natural to the super-natural, and
the spiritual to the physical. Music can
heal your emotions without you even
noticing it.”
Music is a tool of God, which Francis has
witnessed “stabilising the shaken, restoring
the fallen and keeping all as one in faith
and love”.
His positive message is more than a ‘feelgood’
mantra. He brings a serious message
that grapples with suffering and sin.
“If we don’t exercise this tool, the enemy
will and already is using it to promote sin,”
he said. “As we evangelise, the principalities
that Ephesians 6:10 talks about are also
evangelising, and we cannot let them take
the most effective means from us, music!”
Francis said music has helped him grow
in holiness. “Worship music specifically has
helped me overcome depression, anger, and
habitual sin,” he said.
“What seemed an addiction turned
into a testimony! I found myself thinking
about God instead of sin, I like to call
that ‘victory’!”
Francis’ prayerfulness has grown in
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, thanks
to worship music. “It’s always good to be
quiet before Jesus in prayer but personally,
music has always been that thing that sets
a foundation for me to build on during
adoration when the silence comes in.”
Francis Muyeeka: “Music can heal your emotions without you even noticing it.”
St Augustine of Hippo’s dictum that “he
who sings well prays twice” inspires him.
Music has assisted Francis with
maintaining prayerfulness.
“Listening to worship has given me
an opportunity to keep my dial at the
‘heavenly frequency’ all the time and that
is what we as Christians should be striving
for; constant communion with our Messiah
and the Holy Spirit.”
Under Francis’ leadership, a group of
friends in Uganda started a music unit, New
Era Inspirations (NEI). It compiled a music
album and produces videos.
NEI has continued to grow with programs
that encourage young people to gather
and strengthen each other’s faith weekly,
conducting charitable works and running
worship ministries.
“The three years I have done with NET
have been instrumental towards the vision
God planted in me, and my heart overflows
with gratitude to every party responsible
and, of course, God above all,” Francis said.
“I would greatly encourage every young
person who wants to grow into the best
version of themselves to do NET.”
To watch a music video produced by Francis,
visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UCxAecPiU4ETPYWDnh8P1nQg
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6 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org