The Value of Maranatha Touring Groups

One of the unique opportunities for Maranatha students is the chance to travel with a music group on tour. For many students, this trip is a highlight of their college experience. However, the Maranatha touring experience extends past good memories. In addition to the friends made and memories had, the opportunity to tour with a music group gives students ministry skills that can be used for a lifetime. Through touring, students develop leadership skills, experience hands-on ministry opportunities, and make lifelong friends.

Leadership Skills

Traveling with a Maranatha group gives students life and leadership skills that they will carry throughout their lives. Each touring group assigns its members to specific roles during the trip. Sam Robertson, this year’s band president and a former Praisemen tour member, said that he has learned good people skills from touring such as how to “love properly and put others first.” From his leadership position he learned that “leadership is not necessarily telling other people what to do, it’s you doing the right thing.” He also notes that touring helped him to develop flexibility when plans change. “You just have to learn to roll with it.”

Dr. Brown, the director of MBU’s Madrigal Choir and Symphonic Band, emphasizes the impact of tours helping students “learn to put [their] own rights aside and… sing or play for the good of the group.” Touring is a group project that demands cooperation and selflessness.

Another student leader, Sarah Kunzmann, summarizes that tour helped her learn “the value of time management and scheduling – valuable leadership skills that I will use for the rest of my life.” Preparing to be off campus for a week can be a lot of work and forces students to plan ahead.

Ministry Opportunities

Touring is also an opportunity to learn through hands-on ministry. In just one week, students participate in a handful of services or chapel times and have the opportunity to minister to hundreds of people. Dr. Brown calls touring “practice for a lifetime of service.” It provides students an opportunity to experience serving through music so they can continue in their churches and homes.

Robertson mentions that tours “have helped me in my desire to do music ministry.” God can use students’ experiences to direct the rest of their lives. Kunzmann recalls that touring gave her opportunities to rely on the Lord for strength. “To see God work through the promises of Scripture and answer my specific prayers was amazing!” MBU tours are truly a faith-building experience. She admits that “tour pushes you to your max limit, physically and emotionally, and then some.” Touring with MBU teaches you that “serving others brings true and lasting joy.”

Friendships and Memories

Finally, MBU tours are valuable because of the memories and friendships made. Traveling on an MBU tour is not all work and no play. Students have opportunities to experience new places and grow new and existing friendships. Coffee stops, bus rides, and spontaneous visits to shopping malls all create lasting memories that students laugh about for years.

The memories from meeting people at the churches and schools are also valuable. Working with high schoolers at school festivals provides a great opportunity to invest in the lives of upcoming musicians who might someday become Maranatha students. Kunzmann says that at a high school band festival, “working with young musicians and incorporating their talent into our full band was a delight!”

College students who have the privilege of traveling with a Maranatha touring group recognize the many benefits, including making lifelong memories, gaining ministry experience, and developing leadership skills. The impact of tours on students is incredibly valuable. Touring is a college experience that every MBU student should prioritize.