Ep:005 The Heart of Worship: A Conversation with John Wilds

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Costa interviews John Wilds, a worship pastor, about his journey in ministry, the challenges he faced growing up, and the importance of taking risks with God. He emphasises the significance of intimacy with God over performance in worship and discusses the power of spontaneous worship. Throughout the conversation, John highlights the lessons learned in wilderness seasons and the songs that have carried him through difficult times. John also shares his experiences leading worship across different ministries, including Calvary, Bethel, and Jesus Image, highlighting the unique strengths of each. 

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Transcript

Costa (00:00.991)
So John, welcome to No Risk No Story with myself, Costa. I'm so excited to have you on this podcast. It's a podcast that I just love asking people about taking risks with God and what risks they've taken in life in general, just getting to know them. So I know, let's introduce yourself. You're John Wilds. I know you like to go wild for Jesus. Sorry, the pun. But bro, I've been blessed by your worship.

John Wilds (00:24.174)
You

Costa (00:29.703)
like so many times even in person when I've been at like Jesus image and the conferences and stuff so yeah how do you introduce yourself you're a worship pastor at Calvary church in Florida right like you're part of Bethel collective you do stuff with Jesus image like you got a lot going on at the moment bro

John Wilds (00:42.05)
Yeah.

John Wilds (00:48.331)
Yeah, lots of fun stuff. You know, when I was 16 years old, I asked the Lord for the opportunity to be in full-time ministry. Now, I realize now in my life that I didn't have to wait for vocational ministry to be in full-time ministry. It's one of the greatest lessons I've ever learned, is that once you say yes to Jesus, essentially you're in full-time ministry. Your life becomes a reflection of Him.

and that is the ultimate ministry. But I prayed that prayer and had no clue it would look like what it does today. But every time I just look at all of the amazing things that God has allowed me to be a part of, I just remind myself of that moment that I prayed and asked. I asked for this, you So, know, ministry is amazing. It's fun, it's beautiful, it's challenging.

It's convicting, it's sobering, it's hard, all those things. But regardless of where I am on that spectrum, I always go back to that moment that I prayed and asked the Lord for this. And he gave me this opportunity and it's an honor. So, yeah.

Costa (02:03.729)
Amen. And how old was you when you felt called to like ministry? At what age?

John Wilds (02:10.25)
You know, I will say this. I started playing piano when I was six years old and just kind grew up around it. And when I was 17 is when I started leading worship. I always felt like I was going to be a part of ministry, but I honestly thought it would just be behind an instrument. I didn't know that necessarily I'd be leading worship or pastoring people, mentoring people, all of that.

I didn't have the scope to really see that. But I will say when I started leading worship at 17 years old, though I hadn't planned on doing that, I was kind of forced into that first slot as a worship leader. As soon as I started, I don't know, the best way I could explain it is something in me just came alive. And I said, wow, this is what I'm supposed to do. And so would say it around the age of 17 is when I kind of realized, wow, is a...

you know, a call on my life.

Costa (03:11.613)
Wow. And what did your family background? Did it play a part growing up? Like, your mom was a strong Christian, right? I remember you shared something in a worship song once where you go through a challenging time and your mom's changed everything for you. So how was it growing up? Like, even that story itself was powerful. You're going through a tough time. So yeah.

John Wilds (03:26.13)
Yeah.

John Wilds (03:33.011)
Yeah, definitely lots of challenges growing up. My mom was and still is a strong woman of faith, still the strongest woman that I know. And I think just the adversities that she had gone through prior to even becoming a mother and then having to raise five children on her own, it's just a testament of God's faithfulness and his ability to sustain us. But yeah, they were really difficult times.

Costa (03:41.193)
Amen.

John Wilds (04:00.357)
And I was in church every week, but going back home to struggle and poverty and just brokenness. And she did the best that she could, but it was a broken home. you know, so we wrestled with many things throughout my childhood and, you know, moving from place to place, not...

sometimes not knowing where your next meal was gonna come from. Like this was the reality of my life, but I was also in church hearing all these good things about God. you know, but then even the environment that I was raised in in terms of the church, it wasn't the healthiest environment. So there was just like this plethora of emotions and things that I came to grips with when I...

Costa (04:31.316)
Wow.

John Wilds (04:55.859)
turned 17, honestly. I would say the age of 17 was a major transition in my life because I pulled out of the church that I was a part of. It just was honestly a toxic environment. And I needed to know that the Lord was real. And so I prayed a prayer and I said, I need you to tell me, show me that you're real. I've heard a lot. I've seen a lot. I've experienced abuse on every level.

and all at the hands of people who say they're the church. So I need you to show me something real. I need you to show me that you're real. And honestly, the sincerity of my heart in that moment, I believe is what opened the door for what I say is the beginning of a love encounter with the Lord. it was a journey. I had to learn a lot. I had to unlearn a lot.

Costa (05:51.178)
Mm.

John Wilds (05:53.789)
But yeah, I'm here today because my mom prayed some pretty powerful prayers. I was almost in abortion, and not many people know that.

Costa (05:59.826)
Amen.

Costa (06:05.073)
No way. I saw you the youngest of the five. Okay.

John Wilds (06:08.261)
I have one under me. Yeah, I have one under me. But I was almost an abortion and the Lord told my mom that if she kept this child, he would use this child. And so she held onto that promise against all odds. It didn't make any sense in the natural to have a child, especially under the circumstances that we were in. But she did. And here I am today.

Costa (06:22.847)
Wow.

John Wilds (06:37.831)
So, you know, when I lead worship, you know, people wonder sometimes where your song comes from, you know, why I go wild, like you said. Like it comes from something, it comes from knowing that I didn't get here on my own accord and I'm not here because of my gifting or my talent. I'm here because of the faithfulness and mercy and grace of God.

Costa (06:46.013)
Yeah, yeah, come on.

Costa (07:00.053)
Amen, I love that. And 17 is normally like even myself at 17 was the pivotal moment. You get to that age and you're like a crossroads in life like you're about to enter adulthood and you're like, you believe God's there but you don't have this relationship and then it becomes real when you like, just surrender like, okay, God, if you're real, just show me. And he did the same thing when I said that pray just crashed in like I didn't expect and your life just gets flipped and now you got this whole purpose you're living for.

John Wilds (07:19.965)
Yeah.

Costa (07:30.037)
And I love that your story, bro, is like who makes who you are today. And I think, you know, we go through those seasons where, like the oil that's developed in those seasons now, many are being blessed by it because of what you went through. But yeah, that abortion though, bro, like you see, people don't get how valuable life is man. And God's got a plan for every single person, even if they are like, I don't know, a mistake, or they're not planned, like God redeems everything.

John Wilds (07:44.169)
Mmm.

John Wilds (07:59.007)
yeah, yeah, and I've seen so much how God has used even things that I've been through. He's used it in such a significant way that I couldn't have planned. And that's one of things He showed me, these things that happen. I didn't do those things, but I will use them if you'll give them to me. And beauty from ashes, it's literally, I'm a living testimony.

Costa (08:00.423)
It's so beautiful.

Costa (08:09.898)
Yeah.

Costa (08:18.474)
Hmm.

Yeah.

Costa (08:25.019)
Amen. Amen. So you're married, right? You've got three kids yourself. I met your wife Natalie with yourself at Casey's daughter's wedding. So it was nice meeting you guys. It's pretty cool, man. So how is it being a dad now yourself and having three kids, raising them up in the Lord?

John Wilds (08:31.112)
Yeah.

John Wilds (08:38.632)
Yeah.

John Wilds (08:46.697)
Yeah, my kids are adults and so, so my oldest is 28. I have a son who's 28. I have a 21 year old son and then a 19 year old daughter.

Costa (08:50.515)
What's the ages range?

Costa (08:54.866)
Okay.

Costa (08:59.239)
okay wow man dude you stay young man you know they say they say black don't crack bro i can't do that so that's that's cool man but are they all serving in the lord themselves are they all part of church local church with yourself are they worship what's their gifts and talents like

John Wilds (09:05.528)
Eww.

John Wilds (09:21.803)
So my oldest son does have the ability to sing. He's not using that gift right now, but he's in New York. He actually works in a medical office in New York. And then my second son also is now taking a leaning toward music. But he works a secular job. And then my daughter, she also can sing.

Costa (09:27.175)
Okay.

John Wilds (09:49.424)
And right now she's at the age where she's trying to figure out what she wants to do. Yeah.

Costa (09:52.905)
got you got you wow man musical family I love it bro I love it so what would you say to this point then in your life what are like the biggest risk you've taken with God like give me stories where he's pulled you through but also where you've been maybe even let down but you learn through that

John Wilds (10:12.802)
man, that's such a tough one. I think for me, I would say I've always tried to be led in every decision that I make. I've tried to be led as best I can by the Lord. I remember telling people that I would never leave Florida and I can remember this one time I almost moved everything I had in my family all to another state.

Costa (10:14.837)
It is.

John Wilds (10:41.926)
And it was honestly because we were praying about what was next and what the Lord wanted us to do. And we felt like he said, move. And so for me to have peace about it and my wife to have peace about it, it was a miracle for both of us to have peace about leaving. And right as we were about to leave, that whole situation fell apart. And I was left going, what in the world?

You know, I had already given up my job and so I was kind of in a very difficult place. It was like, man, Lord, why did you give us peace about this? And honestly, I came out of that season saying, I'm not going to tell God what to do ever. I'm going to obey his voice and trust his leadership in my life. You know, I'll never, you know, I used to say that I'll never leave here. I'll never do this. I'll never, no.

Costa (11:31.679)
Hmm.

John Wilds (11:41.192)
Like I want to learn to live and I have been and I'm still learning to live holding things with an open hand that if the Lord at any moment says, I want this, that I'm willing to give it to him, regardless of what it looks like, regardless of whether I understand or not. And so I would say that's one of the biggest things that I've learned is like, because it was a risk for me to leave or to give up my job.

Costa (11:56.945)
So good.

Costa (12:06.974)
Yeah.

John Wilds (12:09.44)
But I did it because I felt like the Lord wanted me to. And I honestly used that season to teach me so much.

Costa (12:17.287)
Amen. Amen. What was the most valuable thing you learned even about God in that season?

John Wilds (12:23.652)
that he's faithful and his word is actually sure. So in him, honestly, though it seems like a risk on my part, if it's what God's speaking, he's not guessing, right? So what he speaks is actually sure. It's a sure thing. In the natural, it feels like a risk. But if I'm stepping out on what he's saying, I'm not really stepping out on a limb. The risk is me having what I want.

Costa (12:36.807)
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

John Wilds (12:53.824)
and staying where I want to be. And that's risky to me, you know, that you can have what you want.

Costa (12:59.71)
Yeah.

Costa (13:03.221)
It's true, it's true. That's so good. Yeah, I remember even a lot he, he's, he's told me to give up stuff that cost me so much like so much valuable stuff and I learned in those seasons as well like nothing is mine. Like everything is his and it was in that obedience where I let go of this one thing.

John Wilds (13:05.534)
Yeah.

John Wilds (13:18.314)
Yeah.

Costa (13:25.061)
funny enough i got it back like 11 months later and 11 represents number of right place right time and i'll never forget it but the lord taught me like yeah if he says you got to pack your bags and go or give this to someone you just be obedient because you know that feeling when the holy spirit talks to you it's like your heart starts pounding you're like is this from you god and it's not comfortable

But he does he I think he tests our obedience no matter what it is. You know, like he did with Abraham with Isaac and it's like

John Wilds (13:48.234)
Yeah.

John Wilds (13:56.168)
I was just going to say that. If Abraham only heard God, Isaac would be dead. But Abraham hears God. And I think that's another lesson that I've learned. I don't want to just say that I heard him. I want to consistently hear him so that I don't kill Isaac unless he asks. Whatever he's asking of me, I want to hear.

Costa (14:03.925)
Mm.

Costa (14:18.131)
Yeah.

John Wilds (14:23.604)
consistently the voice of God and consistently obey so that he trusts me to hear his voice.

Costa (14:29.979)
Amen, bro. Amen. And it's just, think our life as Christians is a big risk here. God tells us to do things that isn't natural to the normal person. But that's where our faith is shown. And it's where we're stretched as a person to trust him even more. Like, I'm sure now you could trust God, no matter what he tells you to do, because you've experienced now, he got me, he got me back then he's gonna get me now.

John Wilds (14:54.858)
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.

Costa (14:57.511)
And yeah, it's good. like, talking of those seasons, like what would you say you've learned the most in like in a wilderness season? And how do those seasons affect you in your worship, even like songwriting and your adoration to the Lord now?

John Wilds (15:11.476)
Yeah, well wilderness seasons are, I've learned to be careful in every season. Whatever season you're in, I try to be careful not to curse the season that I'm in. In the sense that if I live in the favor of God because I belong to him, my heart is his, my life is his, I'm his child. So he favors me regardless of what the external situation is. And regardless of if I find myself on a mountain,

Costa (15:18.826)
Hmm.

John Wilds (15:41.224)
Valley, the wilderness, land of plenty, whatever that is, I live in the favor of God and that doesn't change. And so I think what I try to do in wilderness season is keep the right perspective because I can be in a season and not have a wilderness mindset knowing that the Lord is my source. And even in that place, if I'm not careful and I look at things the wrong way, you know, he says,

Costa (16:01.663)
Yeah.

John Wilds (16:10.748)
I can't remember the exact passage it is where it says, behold, I will do a new thing even now it springs forth. And that kind of speaks to me about being in an inopportune time, inopportune place where God causes a stream to be in a desert. Like even there in a dry place, God can put a stream, which is what we would need right in a desert. So I can have everything that I need even in a wilderness.

Costa (16:37.874)
Amen.

John Wilds (16:38.111)
and wilderness seasons are meant to prepare us, to teach us, to discipline us, to prune us, but Christ is our reward and we don't lose our reward in the wilderness as long as we keep our heart set on

Costa (16:53.777)
I love that bro.

John Wilds (16:54.783)
So in terms of songwriting, I also am a firm believer that God gives you songs for seasons. So I found myself in seasons and the Lord, if I lock in with Him, He gives me a song and I realize that that becomes a song that sings me right out of the pit, right out of the wilderness. Like He uses that as a vehicle to sustain me while I'm in it, but also to sing my way out of

Costa (17:16.85)
Yeah.

Costa (17:21.703)
I love that and God has obviously songs for seasons for his whole bride like we experienced through you know like when Covid was happening we had like the whole maverick city movement that was timely for everyone in lockdown and like those songs like Waymaker that came timely for the church like that you covered as well and I think your cover went viral as well like

John Wilds (17:35.926)
Yeah.

Costa (17:45.743)
talking of those seasons what are your gems what are your songs in in seasons to carry you through that you always go back to?

John Wilds (17:53.577)
Yeah, well there's a song called Strip It All Away that I wrote and that song honestly was definitely a song for a season. I had found myself overwhelmed and frustrated and I was doing so much for the Lord and I was like, man I'm so overwhelmed. feel borderline depressed. Like what is this? Why am I so frustrated and anxious and like...

Costa (18:03.573)
Mm.

John Wilds (18:18.335)
feel like I'm being pulled in so many different directions. And I was actually in this room right now, that I'm in right now, and I said, Lord, why do I feel this way? I'm doing all this stuff for you. This is like stuff for you. And he said, well, you feel that way because you're doing a lot for me, but you're not doing very much with me. And I was like, I thought, huh, what an interesting concept, God. So I got up from my desk and I went over to that piano.

Costa (18:36.127)
Wow man, straight to the heart, boy.

John Wilds (18:47.541)
right there, I sat down and that song just came out of me. And it was a prayer that God would strip things away that would try to steal my heart's affection, even the things that seem to be good. Because it's a scary thought to me and a very sobering reality that I can be succeeding at something good and he not have my heart. And I don't want that. So...

Costa (19:11.965)
Hmm.

John Wilds (19:14.729)
Some people make it their life's goal that God uses them. I want to be used by the Lord. But a prayer that I pray very often is, Lord, thank you for using me, but please always have me. Because it's not the most important thing that he used me. The most important thing is that he has me. so because he'll use anything and anyone. And I don't want to get to that day and be like, I did all this in your name. I did miracles. I saw.

Costa (19:33.481)
Yeah.

John Wilds (19:43.105)
great success, I recorded albums, I led thousands of people in worship. And he goes, yeah, but I didn't know you. Like, no, no, the most important thing is that he has me. And so, yeah, that's something. So to answer your question again, Strip It All Away became one of those songs. There's another song by Elevation Worship that the chorus became an anthem for me. It's called Worthy. And it just...

Worthy is your name, Jesus. That just locks you right into him. And so those were two songs that honestly, and obviously Waymaker was a song as well that was so huge for me in a season. I don't mean huge in terms of the it going viral on YouTube and all of that. I mean like, because I didn't plan for that to happen. So it was just a song that was a song for the season that I was in.

Costa (20:13.091)
Yeah

Costa (20:37.406)
Hmm

John Wilds (20:41.259)
The song actually was released years before that by a friend of mine, name's Sinatch. She's from Nigeria. But then Leland, named Leland, he actually covered it. But I had heard Sinatch's version and started doing it at our church, our local church here. And then I heard Leland's version and I said, you know, we'll try that. And then I kind of did my own version and...

Costa (20:48.639)
Nigeria, yeah.

John Wilds (21:09.547)
You know, it was just a song that was just, it was for that season. And so of course, you know, the rest is history. yeah, those were songs that really, honestly got used to sing over me. I sing back to him and yeah, it was beautiful.

Costa (21:28.381)
I love that. Even myself, I used to go to like a dominant African church here in London and we used to sing Waymaker way before it got like exposed. So it's funny how the Lord would just pick something up and be like, bam, now the world's going to hear it. But yeah, but it was, just felt the right season. That song had to be released at that moment. And obviously then the blessing song with like Carrie Jobe and Code like during the lockdown. So I love how God works and he doesn't forget us, you know, and he just knows.

John Wilds (21:37.234)
yeah.

John Wilds (21:43.244)
Yeah

Costa (21:58.876)
how what to do you know to bring us closer to him but talking about the intimacy thing there was a quote I heard the other day from Michael Miller and he said many you want to become influential for God but not intimate with God and it's like

is so key about the intimacy side of things to be able to then out that intimacy, everything's organic, everything's natural. And what I wanna get to is I've been in services, right? Where, yeah, you've got like someone that's very gifted at worship, clearly gifted, could say anointed, but then...

you could sense there's performance in their worship, you know, and it's like trying to work a crowd, trying to hype things up. Like where do you stand and how do you tell worshipers like, no, stay away from performance and just let the anointing flow. Like what is your advice to like young worshipers that you would say, no, performance is not the one because many fall into it we do see it, right? You could sense anointing on a song straight away or from the person leading.

John Wilds (22:54.103)
Yeah.

John Wilds (22:58.742)
Yeah, well that's the thing, the gifts of God are without repentance, right? you know, that is what it is, but I feel like for me, what I try to do is tell people to consistently evaluate. Be honest with yourself. You have to be honest with God because he sees all and knows all, right? And that's why David says, created me a clean heart, but he also says, search me. Like, if there's anything in there, like if there's any,

Costa (23:27.797)
Hmm.

John Wilds (23:28.493)
It's for glory. You know, we were built to worship, but we weren't built to carry, like we weren't built for glory in that sense. Obviously we can carry the glory of God, but I just think that I just tell people to consistently evaluate, be honest with yourself and ask the Lord, pray those prayers. You know, search me. Like if there's any way in me that wants to receive affirmation from

the applause of men or the way the room moves and how they respond. If there's anything in me that wants to receive that unto myself, Lord help me. Because I think, I have a friend who, years ago, I was offended by something he said in a live setting. He said, down inside, we all have a desire to be worshiped. And I thought, some nerve, speak for yourself.

Costa (24:23.298)
Yeah.

John Wilds (24:25.613)
And then he unpacked that. said, think about it. You get an atta boy or somebody tells you you did a great job. That feels good. And he said, the thing is we weren't built for that to be the thing that sustains us. And so I had that thought. I was like, well, wow, maybe that is something that I struggle with. Maybe that's something I need to keep before the cross. Because we always like to say, I would never.

I tell guys all the time when they say that, no, don't say I would never. Instead, say, Lord, help me. Search me, God, and know me. Like, whatever is in me that's not like you, any pride, any selfish ambition, anything in me that thinks that I even deserve this or that this is happening because of my gift. No way. Crucify it. Kill it every chance you get. Don't be...

Costa (24:58.612)
Wow.

John Wilds (25:22.493)
overly, you know, some people are so overly religious about it that they walk on eggshells and it becomes a whole thing. And that becomes about us. You know, I just go like, just consistently evaluate, you know, am I seeking applause? Am I seeking praise? Am I trying to move the room? You know, I say a prayer before I take every stage, every single time. And I actually said the prayer just now. I said, Jesus, I need you. You know, as you were praying, I was saying, Jesus, I need you.

Costa (25:32.362)
Yeah.

John Wilds (25:52.577)
Because if I'm going to say anything significant, it's not going to come from me. It's going to come from Him. I have nothing to offer you, like Paul said. I know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. So nothing I've accomplished matters. It doesn't matter. Gains I count as loss compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing Jesus. So I say, Jesus, I need you. And I say, Holy Spirit, lead the set. And I pray that every time.

Costa (25:56.21)
Amen.

Costa (26:06.665)
Yeah.

John Wilds (26:22.385)
lead the set, teach me to worship. I've led worship my whole life almost, but teach me to worship. I've sang on stages, large, small storefronts, you little shacks, massive arenas, teach me to worship. I know nothing. When I come before the presence of God, I assume that I am clueless. It's better that way because I stay filled with awe and wonder and he can just blow my mind.

Costa (26:52.552)
I love it.

John Wilds (26:52.584)
So that's what I try to have my heart posture be.

Costa (26:57.789)
It's so good, bro. I think I've been in those moments where I've just come before God. I'm praying like God, I just want to be like the first time I met you on I just feel that like I know nothing again. Meet me as I am, you know, just reset, just reset because it's like, sometimes we we make this whole portrait of Jesus in our minds, we get used to a certain way. But like we see that in Revelation that this the eyes on the Lord, there's so many moments like how many eyes are like looking at the

Lord and it's just different angles different views of His Majesty His glory and they're constantly saying worthy worthy is the lamb because they're they're beholding the one that is indescribable so I'm like God everything that I already know about you I want to know something new and it's like that that posture of just like yeah just reset I think just show me something I've not seen yet Lord that I don't know about you and it's so beautiful

John Wilds (27:44.466)
Yeah.

John Wilds (27:50.972)
Yeah, how dare us, how dare us come, how dare we, however that's supposed to be said, how dare us come before the Lord with the posture that we've seen it all. And these creatures have eyes, their bodies are literally surrounded with eyes, and they consistently, continuously.

Costa (28:02.485)
Mm.

John Wilds (28:17.349)
say holy. They're literally saying, I tell my guys this way, they're literally another way to say that is they're going, wow, wow, wow, wow. Like, that's crazy. But we act like we've seen it all. And so I just try to come in and go like, I assume I know nothing. yeah, it's, may it always be our posture.

Costa (28:27.667)
Yeah, literally.

Yeah, yeah.

Costa (28:42.449)
incredible I love it bro and that's why I love

Bro, where is it? Vertical worship straight to the phone room. You know, like I don't those those songs where it's like about us, I struggle because I'm like, I just don't want it to sing about me. You know, I just want to go straight to the phone room. And I love that you carry that in your in your own worship, right? And the way you do things, even the spontaneous side of things like, bro, talk to me about spontaneous worship, right? How do you flow so naturally in it and

what do you encourage people like if they're worshipers and they struggle in that part because I have friends I'm worship teams and like they struggle they try to break in but then they they retreat and I say no that go further go further just pull your heart out what do you say to those people?

John Wilds (29:27.981)
Yeah. Well, I'll be honest and say part of it, I believe, is experience, right? Like David spent a long time out in the field doing something he just loved to do. And then there was a need for what he loved to do. So I think some of it is that. I grew up in an environment that was very like free flow. know, someone would stand up in the church and start singing a song as like part of the

Costa (29:33.812)
Yeah.

John Wilds (29:57.837)
worship service, the culture of that church was anyone could stand up and start singing something and then the whole congregation would join. So whatever key they were in, even without a voice, it didn't matter. I tell you why it didn't matter because that environment was like when someone starts the song, the whole room starts to carry it. which, anyway, I won't go there.

Costa (30:05.789)
Wow man, even without a voice, whatever key, a shower voice, a shower voice will do.

Costa (30:20.691)
Yeah, love it.

Costa (30:26.675)
haha

John Wilds (30:27.48)
I was gonna say, we put a lot of emphasis on stages now.

John Wilds (30:36.11)
Heaven's gonna look a lot... Well, I just think Heaven's gonna look a lot different. anyway, so someone would stand up and start singing a song and whatever key they were in, I had to just play it. And so you didn't, I couldn't transpose, I couldn't do any of that. So I just learned to, you know, listen to the songs. You couldn't listen ahead of time because you didn't know what anybody was gonna sing. So I think just learning melodies, learning...

Costa (30:36.231)
Say it bro, say it bro, say it.

Costa (30:42.292)
Yeah.

John Wilds (31:04.835)
chord progressions, all of that really helped me to be able to flow being in an environment like where they're just throwing a ball at you and you just gotta catch it and run with it. So some of it is experience. And then I'd say most of it is surrendering that experience because I think some people are so experienced that they kinda try to put God in a box.

Costa (31:25.738)
Yeah.

John Wilds (31:33.952)
Now you can't put God in a box because He's God, but you can put your view of God in a box, I think. So I think part of it is experience and part of it is surrendering that experience where, again, I go back to, assume I know nothing. So if I'm asking Him, Holy Spirit, lead the set, then that means that I need to have a sensitivity to be able to hear His voice where I have prepared, I have a set list every service I go into. I have a set list. Everyone knows it could be

burned up at any moment though. But I do my due diligence so that I can rehearse with the team and prepare. People think that if you're going to flow, you don't need to prepare. But I think that preparation actually leads to flow. I think the more prepared and the more the Bible says, play skillfully before the Lord. So I think the more prepared and skilled that you are, the easier it is to flow. It's not to say that you have to be the best musician, right? I'm not coming to try to be the best. I just want to give my best.

And so you offer an excellent sacrifice. That's preparation, sharpening your skills as much as you can. That's the excellent sacrifice. But then I lay it on the altar and if he wants to do whatever you want with it, you know, so in those moments for me, I just try to have sensitivity to what the Lord's doing in the room, what he's saying, what he wants to hear, where he wants to go, that I'm not so locked into what I have planned because he's the

I mean, Holy Spirit is the best worship leader. The Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus, right? So he's the greatest worship leader. The Holy Spirit is the greatest singer. The Holy Spirit is the greatest creative. The Holy Spirit is the greatest speaker. Like, he's the greatest at all of that. So why not just allow him to flow through me? So I'll sit in a moment and have a song. Let's say it's, I don't know, How Great Is Our God? How great is our God? Sing with me how great is our God.

Costa (33:04.309)
Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

Costa (33:17.226)
Yeah.

John Wilds (33:31.784)
all will see how great how great is our God you're worthy of it all I think it's just being

Costa (33:39.669)
That's my favorite, you're worthy of it all bro, anytime.

John Wilds (33:43.327)
I think it's just honestly I just try to sense what God's doing and I don't always I don't say that I've always gotten it right You know, but I remember there's a song and I'll be as quick as I can with this I know it's a long answer But there's a moment that you can see on YouTube of me singing the song worthy is your name Jesus and I think it lasts for like 20 minutes Just that

Costa (33:57.883)
No, it's good, it's good.

John Wilds (34:12.54)
No bridge, no verses, no tags, just the chorus for 20 minutes straight. I believe it's 20 minutes. And that moment, that moment, it went viral. Now, it going viral isn't the measure of success, right? People were obviously captured in that moment by what was happening. And it wasn't me, because I can tell you right now, before the service, I wasn't going to do that song.

I had heard the song and it was in my heart, it was in my spirit, which is always dangerous. tell people don't sing stuff to me right before. But it was, was in my heart and I heard it and I just could not stop. could not shake it. And I remember on my way there, I had never done the song before, but I heard it and I heard the pad. actually could hear the key that the song was going to be in. And this has only happened a few.

Costa (34:48.285)
Yeah

Costa (35:07.199)
Wow man, God downloaded that bro.

John Wilds (35:11.28)
This has only happened a few times where I'm on my way to a service or event and I hear the actual key. can hear this pad. I can't explain it. Nothing's playing in the car. just hear this pad. And so I get there and I asked the team if they had ever heard the song. They hadn't. And I said, well, let me show you a little bit of it. And I show them. And I can tell they don't really know it. And I don't know the verses well enough to sing it. So I'm like, eh, you know, I'm probably not.

So we move on to something else. We get in the room for prayer, the back room, and we're praying. I'm praying. I can't remember exactly what I prayed, but I'm sure that I said, I need you to the set, and all that. And I hear this pad again. And it's kind of in a different key than there's a pad playing in the room. And it's in a different key. And I was like, you want me to do that song? I don't know it.

And he said, I want you to sing that song. And I said, I don't know it. And so I look over at the guy's name's Joel. He plays keys there. I said, Joel. And I hummed the pad, what I heard in my heart, in my head, or whatever. And I said, what key is this? And he told me. And he said, do you want to start in that key? And I said, maybe. Even then it was a maybe. And then right as we're going out,

Costa (36:25.491)
Wow man.

Costa (36:35.923)
Yeah.

John Wilds (36:40.003)
He says, again, I want you to do that song. So I stand on the stage and we're about to start. We had another song that we decided to start with. And I said, maybe we'll start with this one and then go to that. And he said, no, I want you to start with it. And I said, and I'm going, well, I don't know it. Do you want me to take out my phone and read the verses? And what is the band going to do? And I said, Lord, I only know the chorus. And he said, sing the chorus. And I'm like, wow.

Costa (36:53.683)
Wow, obedience there.

John Wilds (37:08.923)
I'm to sing the chorus. He said until I say stop. So I get up there and you actually see the moment, well it fades in, but you see the moment where they're just playing for a moment and that's me trying to decide is this happening? Because I'm thinking how long, where am I going to go from that? know, how long am going to sing that? And I start singing it. And as soon as I started singing it.

Costa (37:27.593)
Wow, man.

Yeah

John Wilds (37:38.715)
I don't know, man. I don't even know how to explain what that felt like. And it's just a song, right? But no, it's like obedience is actually better than the sacrifice that I would have given him.

Costa (37:46.547)
Yeah.

Costa (37:53.788)
on all my days.

John Wilds (37:55.546)
And so I start singing it and we just sing it and we sing it and you can see you can actually see on the video just this like wave of of I don't know I don't even know what to call it I'm not going to try and act like I do but it was such a beautiful moment and I would have missed that moment now

Costa (38:19.688)
Yeah.

John Wilds (38:20.707)
The thing about it, I'm a worship leader and I know, I've been in ministry a long time, I know that God would have touched people in that room, regardless of what I sang, right? But I wouldn't have had it touch.

Costa (38:35.22)
Wow.

John Wilds (38:35.447)
Like, there's hunger in the room, there's people in the room that are there offering pure worship to Him. And what's pure worship? It's what He asks for. So they're giving Him what He's asked of them, but He wouldn't be pleased with me in that moment. And so I just go, no, I don't want operate like that, you know, where like the room is having any kind of regard, but I miss out because I...

Costa (38:59.965)
literally you're missing out

John Wilds (39:04.203)
Yeah, I'm up here and I'm going through the motions and there, you know, people were weeping and all that, but I'm like, wait, what about me? So yeah.

Costa (39:09.565)
Yeah, dude, I've got to check this out, man. What was the setting? Where was this at?

John Wilds (39:18.839)
It was actually at Jesus Image, but it was, it was, I don't know, it may have been three or four years ago. No, it was at a smaller building that we were using. I'll send it to you.

Costa (39:22.185)
Which year? What, the conference or at church?

Okay.

Costa (39:35.731)
Yeah, bro, I'm looking forward to that. Man, that's incredible. It's like Jesus said, it will become the day which we're living in now, we're worshipping spirit and truth. it's like the spirit makes things true in the moment. It's like it's not scripted. It's not we're going by the script. We're like, no, we're going by his spirit and what he wants to do in the moment. And I just love that, bro. Like, it's incredible. And just to hear the pad, bro, like not even know the keys of the song.

John Wilds (39:48.844)
Yeah.

John Wilds (39:56.15)
Yes.

Costa (40:05.257)
I love how God works, you But it's like, told you, it's when your heart starts pounding, you're like, you're going back and forth with God, like, am I doing this? Am I really doing this? And then you just let go and that's it, like. And now you've got an amazing story and an encounter from the Lord in that moment.

John Wilds (40:07.084)
Yeah.

John Wilds (40:14.252)
Yeah.

Costa (40:22.644)
Wow man

John Wilds (40:22.901)
Yeah, it is amazing. Amazing.

Costa (40:27.037)
So how do you select songs then for worship services and like how does that work for you? Like what influences you in your way of doing things normally?

John Wilds (40:36.979)
Yeah, typically lyrics, know, what the songs are saying. Is there too much emphasis on us? Now, I feel the same way you do about songs that are all about us. I know that there's a place for it, right? So I'm not a stickler for either, but I do believe my favorite songs are the ones that are vertical. You know.

songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. They're songs that are meant for encouragement, songs that are meant for edification, and all of that. It should be as unto the Lord. I pick songs based on what they're saying. They need to have some content that points us to the Lord, his attributes, songs that sing of his goodness. I look for all types of things, but I try to...

You know, the Bible says, enter his gates with thanksgiving. yeah, it says, enter his gates with thanksgiving. Come in and the password is thank you. So, you know, I have a person that I really look up to and highly respect. About 15 years ago, 12 to 15 years ago, they said to me, I said, give me a nugget. And they say, John, as you lead worship, don't ever be guilty of allowing the people to come in without saying thanks.

Costa (41:35.507)
I was about to say that literally and it's caught with praise.

John Wilds (42:02.206)
for the spilt blood that is on the altar, that blood that's poured out on the altar. It used to be the blood of animals, but now it's the blood of the Lamb that has given them access to come in. Make sure they say thank you. And so I applied that, that's, you enter with thanksgiving. So I try to look for songs that are filled with praise, to just lift up a hallelujah or some sort of praise.

Costa (42:16.638)
Wow.

John Wilds (42:30.941)
to God for his greatness, his goodness. And then I try to move into more adoration. But sometimes it plays out different ways. I'm open. I try to stay so open. But as I play in a set, some will say I overthink it. I don't mind overthinking it, because I put myself in the moment. So if I was sitting here with you right now and you were doing a set list with me,

Because here at my home church, I have a team that helps me with the set. And we sit together. if I'm traveling, we text, hey, is there anything on your heart? And we kind of go back and forth that way. And then we look at it all together. I have to, even if I want to plane, I have to envision it. I'm in the moment. I'm leading people in worship. Does this feel right? Does it flow together? And that's how I try to play sets.

Costa (43:19.381)
Mmm.

Costa (43:30.421)
I love that bro. And I remind you when you brought up that scripture, you know, it's like the tabernacle had like different levels, like the outer courts, the inner courts, then you go to the holy of holies where the ark was. And it's like even for us we're the living tabernacles. So it's about going straight through the veil that's been torn now. Thank you, Jesus. But it's like you enter his gates with thanksgiving, you enter his courts with praise. And I'm reminded of a book I read recently, and I want your thoughts on it, said, Thanksgiving relates to God's goodness. Praise relates to God's

greatness and worship relates to God's holiness. And I was like, wow, that's what I was going to bring up and the Holy Spirit already took us there. But I love that man. It's like thanksgiving is his goodness. Thank you God for everything that you are that you've done. We praise you because you're great. You're holy. There's no one like him. And we worship you because you're, yeah, you're set apart.

holy is the Lord, you know, and it's like, I love that bro. And that's that reflection of us as living Tabernacles for his glory now. And thankfulness bro, unlocks so much and think every Christian needs to understand that like in every season of our life, even if it's a dry season, be thankful. Like you said, you in every season, you have a song like be thankful in that season, because gratitude unlocks so much of God's favor in your life and

John Wilds (44:26.297)
Yeah.

John Wilds (44:34.167)
Absolutely.

Costa (44:53.213)
When you're thankful in hard seasons, the devil has nothing on you. He's looking at you like, why is this guy so full of joy? Why is this woman so full of joy? Like, I can't get them down. It's because thankfulness is like, no, because we know we're connected to the living one and we're set apart.

and I've experienced that. God taught me that when I was in my wilderness season. I was just like, thank you Lord for every day. And I had a mindset of every day just waking up and saying, thank you for today. Even though I do not know what is about to happen today. I don't know what today brings. I thank you. It unlocks so much, man. God is good, bro.

John Wilds (45:10.446)
Yes.

John Wilds (45:28.41)
Yeah.

John Wilds (45:32.048)
It's amazing.

Costa (45:33.811)
I love it bro. So I want to ask, so you lead with your worship part at Calvary. You joined Bethel Collective in 2021, right? Which is pretty awesome bro, I love that. And then you do stuff with Jesus Image. I want to see like what other different strengths from each church and ministry do you find when you're leading worship in those places?

John Wilds (45:40.484)
Mm-hmm.

John Wilds (45:45.744)
Right?

John Wilds (46:01.783)
That is a great question because there.

Costa (46:03.943)
A friend asked me to ask you by the way so I've got to give it to them.

John Wilds (46:07.893)
Yeah, yeah, it's a very, that is a really great question. And, you know, I feel like I am so blessed. I am so blessed and so thankful to think.

John Wilds (46:21.517)
that I do.

John Wilds (46:31.213)
But just thinking about that, that I have such an amazing privilege, because there are three different streams, right? And I get to...

Costa (46:42.26)
Yeah.

John Wilds (46:51.191)
Man, what a great question.

Costa (46:53.301)
Yeah, you gotta think on that one.

John Wilds (46:56.769)
Yeah, I know what I want to say. I want to say it without crying through it.

Costa (47:04.36)
Wow.

John Wilds (47:08.021)
Each place is so special. I've been at Calvary for 12 years as the worship pastor. And it's a family. It is a large church, but it's a family. It's where I'm connected. I am invested here. So when I come here, it's always special.

John Wilds (47:35.692)
I'm blessed to lead all around the world and I see different places, I meet different people, I lead in different places, but then I come here and it's just so special. Because here...

They see me regularly, so they're not looking at my YouTube. They're not looking at streams and all of that stuff. here, though, I'm honored as a part of this family.

It's, I'm just John here and I love it. It's my,

Costa (48:12.017)
yeah i could see how much it means to you bro

John Wilds (48:17.087)
Yeah. And as long as the Lord has me here, which I hope is a long time, but we'll see. Who knows? But my pastors are like parents to me. The people that I serve with are like brothers and sisters to me. This place is a place, it's definitely a place of praise, I would say, in every season. There's just something significant about

praise that's released here. you know, honestly, it's really helped me through so many different seasons of life. They, I feel like our church, you know, if I stood up there and I wanted to run around the building, you know, I just felt so like overcome with, you know, God's goodness and I just ran around the building, they would join me. If I got so overcome,

Costa (49:12.532)
Yeah.

John Wilds (49:14.686)
by his holiness and his awe and wonder. And I just wanted to lay on the floor and weep. They would join me. And everything in between, this place honestly is that. It's crazy in such a good way. So that's what I say about Calvary. Bethel obviously has impacted nations of the world with their worship.

Costa (49:42.803)
Yeah.

John Wilds (49:45.033)
and has made such a significant mark, I think, in this generation, like in the pursuit of God's presence and passionate worship, songs that really touch the heart of God. And so to be part of that is just incredible. Obviously founded, you know, started from Bethel Church, which is also a huge influence and has made such an impact on the world.

you know, Bill Johnson, all of that. But the Bethel team is family to me as well. And to be able to get with them and to lead worship all around the world and really see God move in significant ways, just, it's a dream. Because it's not about being some artist, although we use that language, right? Because it is a label. So we use the language of artists.

Costa (50:39.156)
Yeah.

John Wilds (50:42.907)
But at the core, Bethel Music is a collective of people who love leading God's people in worship. And that is my favorite thing to do. So when I get with them, it just feels natural. It feels so good to just be like, ha, you know, and from day one, you know, they have experienced together as a team longer than I've been there, obviously, right? But from day one, the words were uttered, be who you are.

Costa (50:49.993)
Wow.

John Wilds (51:10.279)
and that's, you I didn't have to change who I was, you know. So that's just beautiful. And then Jesus Image also holds such a special place in my heart because Michael and Jessica have been family to me, even before I came to Calvary. We met almost 15 years ago, or maybe it's been 15 years now. And so when Michael and Jess were launching Jesus Image, Michael was traveling and speaking and I was so blessed to go in.

Costa (51:10.567)
Love that.

Costa (51:29.551)
is it?

John Wilds (51:39.972)
I first led worship for their very first partner event when they were launching Jesus Image as a ministry. So it wasn't a church, it wasn't a school. know, basically it was Michael's itinerant ministry and of course vision for the future of what God would do. But so I led worship for that and that's how we became friends. And yeah, so I was blessed to, you know, go and travel around the world with him and

lead worship and he spoke and then he started the ministry school and Sunday night services were started to give the students a way to gather together on Sundays because they'd come from all over the world to be part of this ministry school but not have a home church in the area and so to give them an opportunity to gather together and worship and have the word that's why Sunday nights were started and then it just

You know, it was set on fire basically. And so now it's a church. So to be there from its inception, it is such a special thing. And Jesus Image is known for its just wanting to sit at the feet of Jesus. Like, you know, it's everything Jesus. It's not centered around some personality. It's centered around the person Jesus. So each place, you know, there's just something so special.

Costa (52:42.089)
Yeah.

Costa (52:57.203)
Yep.

John Wilds (53:09.062)
and to be a part of all three, which is very unique, right? I realize that when I go places, yeah, and I realize that, know, some places I go, they're like, you're on staff at Jesus Image. I'm like, no, I'm not. I might as well be, but Jesus Image is my family and, you know, I feel that I'll always be a part of them and, you know, I count myself staff.

Costa (53:13.895)
It is very unique. You're like a hybrid. You're like a hybrid.

Costa (53:26.781)
Yeah, yeah.

John Wilds (53:37.924)
You who cares if I'm on staff paper? I'm on staff, you know, I'm part of the family. Same with Calvary, you know, are you in California? I'm like, no, I actually live in Florida, you know, and then, yeah. So, I mean, regardless of where I go, people are like, wait, which place are at? Calvary, Bethel, or Jesus Image, I say yes. So.

Costa (53:38.421)
You hear that now, yeah. Yeah.

Costa (53:50.121)
Yeah, that's crazy. East to West, man.

Costa (54:01.501)
Yeah, yeah, I love it bro, but they're blessed i'm sure bro. They're more than blessed to have you man and you're

John Wilds (54:06.914)
I'm the best one, I can tell you that right now.

Costa (54:10.357)
Yeah, I'm sure I'm well ways blessed from just just your outpouring to the Lord bro in general. I love it. Think one of my highlight reels of on my Instagram is you'd lead in Yeshua at Jesus 21 or something. And it's just like, bro, it's just so beautiful, man. But yeah, was you at the first Jesus conference in 2014? Because I was there, bro. Yeah, I was there. Long with yeah, I was

John Wilds (54:24.134)
Mm.

John Wilds (54:32.998)
Sure was. Really? In Longwood? Okay, so the very first one, I was actually living in Longwood at that time. Yeah.

Costa (54:40.593)
was you? Okay. Yeah that was like yeah I'll never forget that man. Reinhardt and Nathan and all the guys were there man it was incredible. Benny.

John Wilds (54:49.548)
it was special.

Costa (54:51.899)
It was special. So I've seen the growth. I've been to like, yeah, from 14, 15, 16, and then a few others, but I've definitely see the hand of God and the way the worships evolved, you know, like the worship is really like got their own identity and just adoration sitting at the feet of Jesus is beautiful. I love that man.

John Wilds (55:10.256)
Yeah.

Costa (55:12.815)
We're going to wrap up soon, but I want to throw you some questions. Who's and thanks for sharing that bro. It's beautiful man. And I love it. But name me one person you would love to have dinner with from the Old Testament and the New Testament. But Jesus is not involved because he trumps everyone.

John Wilds (55:30.874)
Jesus is not involved.

Ooh, Abraham.

Costa (55:38.248)
I'm why? Abraham?

John Wilds (55:40.208)
Well, let's say Adam and Eve, maybe they cook for me and I go, why did you do that? No, Abraham.

Costa (55:44.507)
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

John Wilds (55:56.87)
Hmm, would it be Abraham? Yeah.

Costa (55:59.731)
Not a David. Wow, I thought you'd say David. But that's everyone's go to, innit, worshipper.

John Wilds (56:02.128)
Well, I know, but... I know, but it... Well, I'll say this. We have enough in the word to know David. Like, you don't have to ask David anything. He kind of... He kind of worried...

Costa (56:11.114)
Yeah.

Costa (56:14.601)
He exposed everything here. It's true. No hidden secrets from that one.

John Wilds (56:20.644)
Yeah, but consider a friend of God. I'd like to sit with that, you know? And then, wow.

John Wilds (56:35.238)
That's a tough one.

Costa (56:38.142)
New Testament.

John Wilds (56:39.918)
What's your, wait, what's your answer from New Testament? Maybe John.

Costa (56:44.701)
Bro John yeah, why John? Yeah, the beloved he had that he had that revelation of he was like God's favorite. He's like, yeah, he loves me so much

John Wilds (56:48.56)
The beloved.

John Wilds (56:55.642)
Yeah, yeah, and I mean, yeah, John.

to have that kind of viewpoint.

It's really important. My pastor talked about yesterday, part of his message was about our perception of God and if that's off, kind of everything is off and our view of God changing based on our circumstances and all that. I would like, yeah, John. Let's say John.

Costa (57:27.135)
So Abraham and John, all right, the Lord's got that ready for you. When like, you know, when we're in glory.

John Wilds (57:34.65)
Yeah, my question is will I even care when I get there?

Costa (57:38.813)
It's true, it's true. We won't care bro. I just can't even imagine what it's going to be like. But yeah, mine would be, yeah, thanks. Mine would be Apostle Paul because I feel like he understands being led by the spirit to go places and just that obedience for him was important.

John Wilds (57:46.842)
Yeah, that's a great question.

John Wilds (57:59.686)
Mmm.

Costa (57:59.921)
And the way he just, yeah, the way his whole life transformed from stoning Christians to, to preach in the gospel and being the one the most God used the most to write the New Testament, man. So it's incredible. And Old Testament, there's many, but like part of me, like once a thing, like, you know, Joshua, you know, you know, there's, there's, hard, the Old Testament is so many good ones.

John Wilds (58:13.179)
Yeah.

John Wilds (58:28.794)
No.

Costa (58:28.909)
Elijah bro just getting taken up by a chariot bro I want my Rolls Royce to take me up man like come on let's Enoch yeah yeah literally

John Wilds (58:36.132)
or Enoch.

John Wilds (58:41.148)
You

Costa (58:43.121)
it's it's mad but right it's good and is there any next word is there any book in the bible that you've not written a song from yet that you want to

John Wilds (58:44.774)
Yeah.

John Wilds (59:04.88)
Wow.

John Wilds (59:13.472)
That's a good question too. Man, you're good. I was trying to think of a book that I wouldn't normally lean toward.

Costa (59:14.429)
haha

Costa (59:22.473)
Like the book of numbers, book of numbers.

John Wilds (59:24.378)
Yeah, the numbers, yeah. Yeah, numbers, my gosh. But I haven't written for numbers. I don't know. That's crazy. So I would say Psalms. But favorite scripture is Romans 12.

Costa (59:33.297)
Okay, what is your favorite book though in the Bible?

Costa (59:46.419)
Romans 12.

John Wilds (59:48.262)
Present your body's living sacrifices. This is your spiritual act of worship. I always tell people it puts us in our place. God's on the throne, we're on the altar. It's just a consistent reminder that I live sacrificially, that my life is His.

Costa (01:00:04.627)
Love that bro. Everyday man. Dying to self. We are his. I love it man. Alright bro that's awesome. So you wouldn't know yet. I will see what song you're gonna release next year then based on this conversation.

John Wilds (01:00:12.454)
Yeah.

John Wilds (01:00:21.008)
Yeah, that's a good question. What book I have not written from that I want to. Because I do try to take different stories. I have a Christmas song. You always hear Christmas songs from Mary's perspective, Joseph, all that. I have one that I wrote from Simeon's perspective. And I don't know that I've heard anyone, maybe they exist, but I don't know that I've heard anyone sing from his perspective.

Costa (01:00:36.906)
Yeah.

Costa (01:00:41.522)
Okay.

John Wilds (01:00:51.612)
It says, like, tell me how could the answer be a baby? You know, I envisioned Simeon holding baby Jesus and literally, you know, it was a fulfillment of a promise to him. like, holding and looking at this infant saying this is the fulfillment of the promise, like this is the one who's going to turn everything around. And so he goes, tell me how could the answer be a baby?

Could a child reveal your heart? Your heart toward the broken? Tell me how. Did he really come to save us? Did he come to make us new? Is he yours? Is he you? I know, I know you've made a promise. I'm not gonna sing the whole thing, but I could. But it's like that, like.

Costa (01:01:40.679)
Yeah, it's taking... Well, this ain't out yet, bro, no?

John Wilds (01:01:45.365)
No, that one is, it actually is out. I just need to put a new version of it out. It's called The Promise.

Costa (01:01:47.751)
Okay, it is. All right, got you, got you. Okay, I'll go to check that out for the promise. I love that man. It's good different perspectives like everyone loves Mary story adoration breaking the alabaster jar. There's many things for it. But yeah, Christmas is coming up man and thank God that we got that gift. Jesus himself salvation wrapped up in a baby bro. Incredible. So

John Wilds (01:02:02.678)
Yeah.

John Wilds (01:02:10.017)
Yeah. Yes.

John Wilds (01:02:14.911)
Yeah, majesty clothed in humility.

Costa (01:02:18.589)
that's a good quote there. Majesty, clothing, humility. Love it, bro. So going into next year, we'll wrap it up. But what are your next plans? What people excited to see more of what's coming up, bro? Anything exciting?

John Wilds (01:02:36.663)
So I'll say this, there may or may not be an album in next year, coming soon. Yeah, I'm so excited. And then I am launching a nonprofit next year as well to marry worship and evangelism together to impact local cities and...

Costa (01:02:45.124)
so we got an album, lovely, I'm excited.

Costa (01:03:00.66)
Wow.

John Wilds (01:03:05.59)
the gospel, but also outreach and meeting felt needs. I'm going to invite some worship leaders to come off of the stages and go into cities and feed people. And so it's going to be beautiful.

Costa (01:03:22.969)
that sounds incredible worship and evangelism I love that combination

John Wilds (01:03:28.423)
Yeah. Yeah.

Costa (01:03:30.165)
So and the album I'm sure will be released probably later down the year, right? All right. And this is just your thing, John Wilde's. Lovely, bro. Wow, man. Sounds good, man. And praise God for all that he's doing, using you for his glory and your testimony. And, you know, the days he's coming soon. So we just got to keep our eyes on him.

John Wilds (01:03:35.295)
Yeah, yeah.

John Wilds (01:03:40.639)
Yes.

Costa (01:03:57.939)
and doing what we're called to do man and I loved everything that you shared today bro it's really blessed me man

John Wilds (01:04:03.285)
Thank you for having me.

Costa (01:04:05.789)
No worries man, thank you for joining. This has been No Risk No Story.

John Wilds (01:04:10.645)
Do you not want to tell people about our earlier interaction?

Costa (01:04:17.045)
my days. I was thinking about that earlier, but that was hilarious. But yeah, basically, we both decided to test this out before going live. So I put it on and yeah, I was just sorting out my room and you know, getting the lighting right. And I just hear this voice in my ears, John's voice. I'm like, what the heck? And I see this guy on the camera. I'm like, John, are you here already?

and luckily I was just clothed, you know, nothing was exposed bro. Lord have mercy that could have just gone so wrong.

John Wilds (01:04:55.448)
I laughed so hard about that when I got off the phone. I like, I could not believe that. I'm sitting on my bed, just going over the link with my assistant, just trying to make sure I got it right. He's telling me I had to download some apps. So he's like, you should probably download it now. So I'm going through all that. And then I click it. And I'm used to Zoom, for instance. There's nobody there. I click it and there you are standing there. I said,

Costa (01:05:18.622)
Yeah.

Costa (01:05:23.029)
yeah literally I was like am I hearing things in the spirit? what's going on bro? but yeah that was funny man I love it that was funny but yeah this is this has worked out well so yeah man I people are gonna be blessed

John Wilds (01:05:24.921)
I'm

John Wilds (01:05:29.523)
You

John Wilds (01:05:39.601)
Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Seriously, again, all jokes aside, thank you for having me. Thank you for this conversation. You talk about Jesus and it actually moves you to love him more. So thank you for that. Thank you for what you do. You know, I think what you do is so unique and so special and so necessary. You're opening up conversation and honestly opening the door for Jesus to move on hearts.

Thank you for what you do. I bless what you do. I bless even this next year of your life, things coming into alignment that may seem like they've been out of alignment, questions answered, doors opened, and fruit that remains. Like, just to speak, fruit over your life, like fruitfulness, but fruit that remains.

as you've just remained so consistent and so faithful and committed throughout even difficult times where there's been perhaps slight doubt, but that's okay. I believe, help my unbelief. And God's just gonna make things so clear for you in this next season. So I bless you.

Costa (01:06:36.115)
Hmm.

Costa (01:06:56.123)
Amen John I received that bro. That was good. And yeah, normally I'm doing this cutting hair. So this is nice. It's different on a zoom. The next time I'm in Orlando or Florida. Yeah, bro, it'll be a quick one, but the vid will get done. If this was based on a haircut, our conversation would be two minutes, my days.

John Wilds (01:07:09.562)
Ha ha ha.

John Wilds (01:07:14.648)
You

Costa (01:07:19.605)
Bro, I love it. So just stay on the line because I'm gonna end it and then because don't back out. Yeah, but yeah, thanks for joining and Bro, it's been awesome