Taking off for the Asia tour very soon, the leading international Chinese Christian music ministries Stream of Praise (SOP) has equipped itself to play a better role in serving Chinese Christians worldwide.

SOP, now based in Tustin, California, has finally got its new ministry center set up since it has moved in October 2005. The huge building, which accommodates the office, recording studios and meeting rooms, is acquired by the generous offerings of SOP staff and supporters. Through the past half a year of effort, the renovation has been completed.

The center has become a place where young people can gather to be trained in worship leading and spiritual leadership, according to the latest newsletter from SOP. Not only the center has been used for training of new generation, but the well-equipped studio has also been very essential for the production of the brand new SOP album. Meanwhile, there are 11 full-time SOP staff and 4 part-time ones working at the center.

"Each week there are at least two meetings at the center and many young lives are changed by the miraculous power of the Lord," SOP stated.

"We purchased our first ministry building, this is a big step for us," Rev. Sandy Yu, founder, president and executive producer of SOP, commented during an interview in December.

Besides the completion of the SOP international base, SOP has recently developed "SOP on Podcast" in an attempt to attract the young audience and to unite everyone in God to worship regardless of locations. The service offers SOP WNW (Wednesday Night Worship) live recording in the Podcast Directory. Users can simply type "Stream of Praise" in the search field when they enter iTunes Music Stores and the subscription is free.

Moreover, SOP has launched a new website. The original URL - http://www.sop.org- is relocated to http://www.sopwc.org. The website is also composed in both English and Chinese but with even more attractive and lively colors.

Meanwhile, SOP is eagerly counting down to 2006 Asia Tour that will start on July 12 from Hong Kong. The SOP team will depart on July 9 from the U.S. The team is going to stay in Hong Kong till July 16 and it will lead the worship at the high-profile 7th Chinese Congress on World Evangelization (CCOWE) in Macau on July 18. From July 20 thru August 6, SOP will tour the major cities in northern, central and southern Taiwan. The remaining two countries covered in Asia tour will be Malaysia and Singapore. The team will stay two days in each of these countries. The tour will end on August 12.

"This year we will be introducing ‘Encounter Worship’- a time of intimacy and heartfelt worship of our father God," SOP said.

SOP will be hosting a highlighted Praise & Worship Night for churches and Christians in Los Angeles area before leaving for the Asia Tour. It is set to be on June 3 at the Chinese Baptist Church of Central Orange County. The admission is free.