Recently launched EMI Group with Sparrow Records, Something Like Silas, ventured to South Africa last week ministering music and performing for over 100,000 people in Malawi. With the recent release of their album “Divine Invitation,” the San Diego based group made its contribution to third-world country ministries along with their church in San Diego called ‘Flood.’ Something Like Silas has continuously been a pillar strength for the emerging church for four years, leading worship for over 3,000.
Aside from playing soccer (football) with the natives, the band performed in stadiums in Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zomba and Chichiri, and one indoor event in at the University of Malawi.
“Putting on stadium events across the country, traveling between cities on a little shuttle-bus that you knew it was only a matter of time before it broke down and playing for over 100,000 Malawians is only the logistic and boring report of it all,” reflects Eric M. Owyoung, the band’s leader, songwriter and vocalist-guitarist. “Interweaved within the events are experiences that can never leave you the same, experiences that leave you confused on how to respond-- ‘should I laugh with joy or should weep with compassion?’”
On their trip to Malawi, Something Like Silas visited orphanages sponsored by Children of the Nations, ministering the message of Christ.
“Though it is widely common for the normal little village home - or hut - to be full of orphans themselves, the orphanage is there to help ‘the leftovers’ of society, those who have been double orphaned and do not have even secondary caretakers,” notes Owyoung. “Yet, I have never seen a group of such well behaved and exuberantly playful and friendly kids in all of my lifetime in America. Looking down at dozens of orphaned kids who are clenched to your legs can make you feel like your life is done, full, complete. I will never forget some of their faces.”
“The Malawians showed me joy in Christ, they showed me what genuine humility looks like, not the kind that results as sought virtue, but humility that comes from serving and loving out of joy. The Malawians are begging for a way to get to America where there is wealth, comforts and food, and here I am wishing I could only share an ounce of the joy they had,” says Owyoung.
Flood pastor, Matt Hammett, spoke during half time at the games and about 2,000 counselors, trained from nearby churches, followed up with the people coming forward in the stadiums to learn more about faith in Christ.
The bands songs can be heard in clubs, colleges, conferences, camps and other venues today. Something Like Silas is the name inspired by the passage in Acts (6:23-34) determined to close the gap between the young generation and the letter of Christ.
