How can students prepare their hearts for worship? With Tracy Stingley, Alexandria DeJesus, James Paek & Mark Matlock

Summary

In this episode of the Urbana podcast, hosts Mark Matlock and Phoebe Jeske introduce listeners to the worship team for Urbana 25, featuring musician Tracy Stingley, Alexandria DeJesus, and James Paek. The discussion centers on the unique collaborative spirit and multicultural approach shaping this year’s worship experience. The team reflects on the profound impact of worship at Urbana, which includes singing in multiple languages and fostering a sense of global unity among attendees.

The conversation delves into each worship leader’s personal journey and their commitment to both craftsmanship and spiritual authenticity. Tracy shares his story of overcoming early life challenges to become a musician dedicated to God’s service, while Alexandria highlights her current mission of connecting and equipping worship teams across the country. James discusses the intersection of culture, identity, and worship, emphasizing the importance of including underrepresented voices—particularly Asian American stories—in contemporary worship music.

A key theme of the episode is the balance between musical excellence and openness to the Holy Spirit’s direction. The team describes the importance of humility, preparation, and mutual submission in fostering authentic, Spirit-led worship moments—including spontaneous, “God moments” that transcend planning and programming. Overall, the episode offers an inspiring look at how intentional collaboration and diverse experiences are shaping worship at Urbana 25, setting the stage for a dynamic, inclusive encounter with God!

Show Notes

(00:00) Introduction

(09:36) Exploring Cultural Influence on Worship Music

(14:43) Unity in Worship Through Spirit

(18:00) Embracing Improvisation in Worship Music

(22:23) Embracing Life's Mystery

(28:47) Worship Through Humble Obedience

(32:39) Preparing Your Heart for Worship

(42:03) Closing Thoughts

Links

Mark Matlock

Urbana

Urbana YouTube

Tracy Stingley

Alexandria DeJesus

James Paek