IN PURSUIT OF JOY! | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2019

Author: Linton D’Aruja

Intro: Linton D’Aruja shares his life’s journey as a member of the Rex Band – how the Lord has been faithful when Linton chose to give prioritise to His Kingdom and the ministry.  

I come from a family of musicians; my father was a violinist and my mother, a singer. They encouraged my musical endeavours right from my school days.  I played the guitar and sang at school and was always the first pick for a ‘Prayer song’ along with my two sisters, for our Anglo Indian association and church gatherings.  

In 1989, I attended my first one-day program by Jesus Youth in Ernakulam, led by Dr. Edward Edezhath, or Eddychettan as most of us fondly know him. I was instantly attracted to the music led by Shelton Pinheiro. My first thoughts were as to why he was wasting his time there when he had such a good voice. This was around the time that I had started my own band back in Fort Cochin called, ‘The Missing Heads’. 

In 1990, I joined St. Albert’s College in Kochi, Kerala for my undergraduate studies. I started attending all Jesus Youth programs and became a part of the music ministry. I experienced the love of Jesus through my music. In 1993, I was invited to join the Rexband for a trip to Mumbai. That was a turning point in my journey with Jesus and a lifechanging experience. Since then, I have made ministering through Rexband programs my first priority and would never miss fulfilling my ministry obligations. 

During our initial years most of us in the band, while still students, would gather in the evenings at Manoj Sunny and Beena´s house in Ernakulam. We would spend the time practicing, praying and generally hanging out and having fun. Those are wonderful memories that I still cherish.  We grew together like a family within the band and the fellowship guided me in both my career and my life. Back then, most of the programs would take place within Kerala. It was in 2002 that we first set out for an international trip to Dubai, US and Canada.  I have now travelled to around 20 countries, ministering with the band. We have performed on the mainstage of Six World Youth Days and a World Family Meet, before our Holy Fathers Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

When I began my career as a software professional, I decided to prioritise my commitment to the music ministry and decided to work for a firm that allowed me workplace flexibility for my engagements within the ministry. In 1999 I married Collet, a teacher at St. Antony’s HSS in Ernakulam and together, we are blessed with three children Elton, Evita and Elvis. Elton, who is pursuing his undergraduate studies, is also an 8th grade pianist. Evita is in the 10^th grade and Elvis in the 7th grade.

We – my sisters along with their families and ours, have a Family Choir and together we minister to church choirs. We organise Taizé prayers and conduct praise and worship sessions together and witness to our Lord as a family. As all of us in my family work in different professions like teaching, hospitality and business, we plan our programs around the weekends and gather every Friday for music classes and practice sessions. There is, of course, the power of prayer which leads us all forward. My mom, Teresa D’Aruja is the strength behind our family ministry. Mummy left us for her eternal home on the 1st of July 2019. She continues to intercede on our behalf and we feel her prayer always.

After 20 years in the software industry, I switched my career to music education. Manoj Jons, a former co-ordinator of the Rexband and my former boss, was the one who encouraged me to take up western vocal training. Now, I run a music school, ‘Mustardseed School of Music’, where I have students, both locally and remotely where I conduct online classes.

I can clearly see the ways in which my Lord Jesus has guided me throughout my life. It was not easy to stick to my commitment, there were times when I had to go for my ministry during times of personal crisis.  In 1997, I travelled to Delhi for a program, soon after I had lost my dad and my family going through a tough time I am blessed to have a wife who supported me in my mission. She had to undergo many hardships while I was away, especially when the children were young, managing work and home all by herself. 

Last year, in August 2018, we were invited for the World Family Meet, in Ireland. The day on which we were to travel, severe floods hit Kerala and my wife´s family were stranded, and even after several attempts we could not get them out. I had to travel to Trivandrum to catch the flight because Kochi airport was closed. I had to make a decision, either to stay back until they were rescued or go for my mission. My Lord spoke to me through His Word (2 Tim 1:8) “Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it.” I trusted in my Lord and started on my mission. My God was so faithful to me that before boarding the flight, Dad and Mum were miraculously rescued. 

Many a time, I have had to take crucial decisions in my career in the face of fulfilling my commitment to the ministry. I was often challenged in my role as a musician many times. However, in all those situations, I was guided by His Grace as it has always helped me and continues to do so going forward.  Like the little child who gave the five loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus (John 6:1-14), I surrendered my talents to my Lord and He multiplied them and is using me to help others through my ministry and my career. 

My message for today’s youth would be, if you set out on your journey in the name of our Lord Jesus, He will take care of all your needs.  Mathew 6:33 says “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything will be added unto you”.