Maranatha! Music worship artist Tommy Walker recently made a return journey to the Philippines, leading a team of 15 people to spread the love of Christ by bringing education and compassion to those in need.

In partnership with Far East Broadcasting, Walker has established the “Break Through Scholarship Fund” which provides Christian education for underprivileged kids in the Philippines. After his first trip to the Philippines in 1997, God gave Tommy a deep desire to serve the forgotten children of the world. “I believe an education is a meaningful way to stop the cycle of poverty that's gripped many of their families for generations. In doing this we can help them fulfill the calling God has on their lives.”

This year there are over 60 “Break Through Scholars” in both public and private schools, and college - at an average cost of $600 per student. Donations can be made online by visiting www.tommywalker.net/scholars/index.html.

“The neighborhood where these kids live is literally part of the city dump site and many of the children there attend school sporadically because they don't have money for books, uniforms, food or transportation,” Walker describes. “We now have four kids in college and two more that will graduate from high school in March. As we've invested in the lives of these kids we've seen many of them lead their families to Christ.”

Walker and his team led worship, taught seminars and just took time to pray with families in the small shacks they called home; witnessing first-hand God’s ability to move through their work to help new believers come to know Christ. Beyond that, Walker felt he was reminded that all that matters in life is impacting and investing in others.

“The only thing that matters to God is that we love and cherish our neighbor whether they are across the street or on the other side of the world,” Walker explains. “As usual, when we go to be a blessing we end up being the ones that are blessed.”

Walker, released his first-ever national studio recording, I Have A Hope, on Maranatha! Music this March. Walker’s debut heralds the handiwork of Dove-Award winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Caedmon’s Call, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matt Wertz). With 10 songs including the soaring anthem “Hallelujah, We Will Sing” and the song of yearning “Do It Lord”, as well as the debut single and title track “I Have A Hope”, the overall album is a captivating worship experience.

He has been serving in a worship leader role for over 15 years alongside some of the most renowned church leaders in the world including Jack Hayford, Bill Hybels, Franklin Graham, Rick Warren, and Greg Laurie. Out of his eight live recordings to date, Walker has created staple songs for the church including “No Greater Love,” “Mourning Into Dancing,” “He Knows My Name,” and “That’s Why We Praise Him.” He has also lead worship teams to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Guatemala, Zambia, Brazil and Jerusalem.

Maranatha! Music is a pioneer in praise and worship music resource publishing. Best known for the Praise Series, Praise Band Series, and Top 25 Series, Maranatha! Music has sold more than 30 million records worldwide. For more information, visit www.maranathamusic.com