Messianic musicians happen to be very scarce in The Land (Israel) and more so in the wilderness where we live! When you do find one, he or she is usually working on an album or making a CD. Zechariah is the exception!
Zechariah, an Egyptian Messianic believer, who lives in Jerusalem, has a one-man traveling music ministry. He grabs his shofar (ram's horn), his keyboard, his overnight bag and he hops on a bus singing. About every 3 months or so, he makes it down our way. We provide room and board - Zech provides the music!
Lura has been praying that the Lord would provide a musician for the congregation. As it stood, everyone was singing in a different key and together was making a joyful noise unto the Lord. To the carnal ear it sounded pitiful. You had to really be in the spirit to enjoy or appreciate it. "It's a spiritual thing" I kept telling myself.
Zechariah was the first answer to Lura's prayers.
Meanwhile we had an old, beat up keyboard lying around; no one knew how to use it. I tried playing the melodies of the songs being sung, using the one finger method. Surprisingly my humble gesture was an instant sensation and a very big help!
Although the keyboard was very low quality and sounded like a kiddy toy type one, we at least had something to work with.
I think they took my one finger playing as another sign from God! "First God sent Zechariah and than Eddie!" The next week songbooks were being passed around. The week after that a new keyboard was purchased. It didn't take the Holy Spirit to tell me that I had my work cut out. Figured, under the circumstances I was looking at 2 maybe 3 hours of practice per day. At least until I could learn about 10 songs or so.
Edwin Beckford
2001