Christian News
Canadian artist brings free worship concert to Winnipeg
For ten years, Guiller Contreras, also known as Long Live the King has been making music about Jesus for a decade. The Calgary, Alta. native runs the ministry alongside his wife. "The Lord turned it into a ministry. I had no idea what ministry was back then. But here we are ten years later. I've now been doing this professionally all around the world, preaching the Gospel, and the Lord has done a big work in my heart where, honestly, I don't care much about the music part anymore. I just want to serve the Lord and minister to people." When Contreras was deciding on a name, he didn't want the music to point to him. "It doesn't need to be my name. Nobody needs to know me. They need to know Jesus. And then the phrase Long Live the King came to me. Jesus is the King of Kings." The name also suited the overall mission of his ministry. "People who are not Christians, they see this as, 'Oh I've heard that phrase in The Lion King, it's very familiar.'" Memorable moments Over the ten years, there have been many memorable moments. "It's been really cool to perform internationally. I've been to Europe, Mexico, South America, and the United States." If he had to pinpoint one moment that stands out over the others, it would come in Western Canada. "Performing in Rogers Arena in Vancouver for the Billy Graham Festival of Hope. That was pretty exciting." When it comes to ministry, he has loved seeing how God has been at work all around the world. "I have seen God's power manifesting at our events and people being set free from demonic oppression and we've seen people be healed." Free Winnipeg concert Long Live the King is currently on tour with the All or Nothing Tour which includes four Manitoba stops. Contreras says each show has something for everyone. "Our show is a full experience that we've created for people. There's something in there for everybody, from Christians to non-Christians. We've got rock music to pop music. We've got cover songs and worship. I throw in my testimony. We do an altar call. And so there's really something in there for everybody, front to back." Contreras will be at Trinity Baptist Church in Winnipeg on September 26 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. More than music As he looks to the future, he admits he has a plan but is open to follow where God leads. "I never know what the future holds. I like to have a plan, but the Lord likes to change things. It all started with music, and then I ended up releasing a book, which I never expected to do. So I don't know exactly what the future holds specifically, but I definitely know that the Lord is going to use my availability for Him for the greater good of His Kingdom." Contreras has seen how God has redirected his steps and opened doors to writing a book. Extraordinary Christian: For Those Not Willing to Settle was an act of obedience for Contreras. "One day, I had an awakening while I was sitting in one of the church services. I said to the Lord, 'I'm bored of playing church. I love church. I'm all about church.' I felt like I had settled into going to church on Sundays and then just getting through my week and I wasn't changing or growing." He then went on a journey to experience the Bible in a new way. "Jesus commanded us to go to preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, cast out demons. I never witnessed any of that in my life. And so it started a new journey of searching. How do I experience the Scriptures? How do I make them come alive?" He hopes that readers will be challenged by his story he shares. "My book is not for everybody. For those who are hungry, they're ready to be uncomfortable and be challenged for the Kingdom, then it's a book that hopefully my story will inspire them."