‘Ignite’ Community Worship July 26 date

Is now an official Dodge City Days event

‘Ignite’ Community Worship has only been active for about a year, but the support that this ministry is receiving is nothing less than explosive.

Jeff Mooradian, founder of the ministry, describes ‘Ignite’ as “an explosive night of worship and fuel for your soul.” The idea for this non-denominational worship time came to Jeff in 2012, shortly after he experienced a tragedy in his life. He found himself at a crossroads in his life and decided to rededicate himself to God’s will.

He says, “God gave me a vision not only to minister, but to start a community worship.” Not only did he start this new ministry, he gave up a musical venture which gave him quite a bit of fame in Southwest Kansas. For eleven years, Jeff had led the Rock and Roll band ‘Ask Vinnie.’ The group’s last performance was at Dodge City Days 2013. He doesn’t regret his days with ‘Ask Vinnie,’ because he feels that God used this experience to help start ‘Ignite.’ Some of the followers of this rock & roll band have come to ‘Ignite’ events and he’s actually been surprise to see some of the people at ‘Ignite’ events. He says, “God has opened the door.”

People not only recognize Jeff from his ‘Ask Vinnie’ days, but he has been a police officer in Dodge City since 2002. Even though ‘Ignite’ occupies much of his time, he continues his “day job” as Patrol Commander and SORT Team Leader with the Dodge City Police. He says that serving as a police officer gives him the opportunity to fulfill a need and help make a difference in the community. He adds, “As an officer in the public eye, I am accountable for all of my actions and I want people to see where my heart is.” Jeff is also recognized for leading worship at the Dodge City Nazarene church.

While he had been planning to start such a ministry, the community worship in Dodge City with Alan Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame was a real catalyst to getting things going. Jeff led the musical worship at that event and many of the members of the “praise band” have continued with him in ‘Ignite.’

In describing ‘Ignite,’ Jeff says that it’s fuel for the soul for an audience of One. The first date was at the Dodge City Depot Homestead Theater with a gathering of about 100. The most recent evening was held at United Wireless Arena in April with over 300 people attending. Jeff says the response has been so overwhelming that he proceeded to set another evening for July 26 and this event has now been authorized as an official Dodge City Days 2015 event. The evening will start at 7:00 p.m. and conclude somewhere around 9:00 p.m. The evening will be completely free to the public, including refreshments. Jeff says they won’t even “pass the plate.” All financial needs have already been covered. He adds that there will never be a charge for anyone to attend any ‘Ignite’ event. Jeff gives all credit for the success of ‘Ignite’ to God. He says, “God has provided everything.” Jeff adds that the UWA has been extremely cooperative with him and they now have 6 to 8 future dates scheduled at the arena.

Jeff grew up in New York and became a Christian September 20, 1984. His youthful desire had been to play professional ball and he got that chance, but an injury terminated this career. He felt that God called him into the ministry in 1993 and he attended discipleship training in Texas. He says, “I really learned who God is” during that time. He was able to travel world-wide with YWAM (Youth with a Mission). After that time, he says that he bounced around quite a bit and ended up in Dodge City.

It’s hard for Jeff to discuss the tragedy in his life which led to the creation of ‘Ignite.’ The event which changed everything for Jeff was the death of his wife. He says that after about a month, he felt that he was at a turning point and he turned to God. He recalls awaking about 3 a.m. one morning and as he sat there, God gave him a vision of two roads. He says, “a lightbulb clicked” and he decided to follow God. He saw himself playing his guitar ‘The Resurrection Song’ and leading worship. This vision concluded when he heard a voice say, “You are going to lead My people in Dodge City.”

When he began thinking about what he would do, he says that his primary focus was about providing people with an opportunity to worship, and not about himself. He wanted to offer an experience for people who wanted to worship. ‘Ignite’ events are not intended to be a church service and he encourages everyone in attendance to go to their own church. He says, “We’re open to all.” There will be no speakers, no preachers, no distractions and no offering. There will be lots of praise and worship music and a prayer team is available for anyone wanting support. He says you can stand, walk, sit, jump or “worship as you feel like.” A microphone is also available for anyone who feels a calling to share their heart with everyone.

If you’re a ‘Facebook’ follower, you’ll find ‘Ignite’ online. If you want more information about the July gathering or more information about helping ‘Ignite,’ you can give Jeff a call at 620-255-1607. His email address is askvinnie@hotmail.com

So, see you July 26 at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City at 7:00 p.m.