Awake
Vision
We are a youth ministry that believes in Jesus Christ, loves God and any other person on this planet. We are on a mission to see his great plan for us in Belgium and to establish God's Kingdom not only here in Belgium but across the whole wide world.
We want to wake up our fellow Christians, light up that fire/passion in their hearts again. We start small, local churches nearby and then step by step we will grow together. We are like a small light in this dark world. Shining alone is not an option! Let us unite and shine together as one body in this dark world. Jesus once said 'Come, follow me and i will send you out to fish for people'(Matthew 4:19 NIV). We will catch more people with many then with few.
We are a generation awakened in our purpose in Jesus and we simply want to step out of our comfort zone into our calling. Young people will find life and deep, unending joy in Jesus trough the songs we play and their hearts will awaken to the light of Christ so that His name will be known.
Music
The best way to describe our music is a contemporary style of praise and worship tempered with mainstream rock and pop.
For now we cover songs and give our own touch in it.
Biography
Our youth ministry is located in the heart of Europe on the coast in the city called Ostend in Belgium. Founded in November 2013. It all began with 'Stephen Salalila' his vision, he was full of passion to see God's Kingdom grow more by wanting to encourage the youth here in Belgium. With approval of his vision by the leaders he started organising. He stood not alone, by his side his youth leader 'Steve Evans' who guided him and helped.
They say music is the language of the world, the key to creativity and it brings people together. To be able to praise and worship is one of the greatist gift we could ever receive and we will use that gift to reach to the youth. Stephen assembled a great music team of all different churches. He also wanted to connect again with local churches, to create unity among churches.
May 3rd, an important day for Awake. Our first big concert. Visitors from other churches, not only in Belgium but also all the way from Bognor Regis, a town in West-Sussex in England. We had a lots of fun. Lots of worshipping and praising. We had a drama and dance performed by the youth from the church Opengate. It was a night not to forget.
On one of our rehearsals we got suprised by one of the organisators from Beachpraise. For those who don't know, Beachpraise is an one-time in a year big event. Lots bands get to play during the event and for 2014 they asked Awake to play as the main band. 30th of August was truly a blessing. A lot people came and it was a great experience to be there!
As time passed by our band got split. Being in a band is not just as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of commitment and time. Everyone is busy with school, work, etc.. Therefore we had to say goodbye to some fine and great musicians. We will never forget all the effort, time and sweat they have put in this. May God bless them in all times!
In meawhile we launched our new projects F.A.C.T. and ACTIVE. An event that goes on monthly. Where the youth comes together, have fun times, where they grow more to Jesus and learn more about him. For more information check the pages 'Youth-F.A.C.T.-ACTIVE')
The search for new band members started. It is not easy to find musicians, but God is someone who provides and that takes care of his children. Slowly when time passed by he provided and got us new musicians and they are the band you know today! We look forward to the future, to what God has in stored for us!
Band
Get to know the band better and hear our story below!
 Stephen SalalilaHey everyone who is reading this! I firstly wanna thank you for checking out our website! Let me introduce myself a bit. My name is Stephen, I’m 19 and I’m also the drummer of Awake. I was born in the Philippines in Angeles City but I live in Nieuwpoort which is on the coast in beautiful Belgium ... |  Shalee MiclatHi! My name is Shalee Miclat. I was born in the Philippines and live now in a little town in Nieuwpoort in Belgium. I am married and have 2 children. I met the lord, Jesus Christ and accepted him into my life when I ... |  Steve EvansHi my name is Steve Evans, I am 36 years and have been involved in youth work for 20 years and I am also the PA man for the band. I was born in the UK and grow up in a Christian family, when I was 23 I moved to Belgium to help with a Christian youth group in ... |
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 Bart Van Dingenen |  Lydie Buda |  Jonathan Kerkhof |
 Michael WittouckHello everyone! My name is Michael, I’m 22 of age and currently living in Wevelgem. I always loved to dance and to sing, but I never had the satisfaction to just do it at home. When I got to know who God was and how he works in people their lives. I got inspired ... |
Hear our story
Stephen Salalila
Hey everyone who is reading this! I firstly wanna thank you for checking out our website! Let me introduce myself a bit.
My name is Stephen, I’m 19 and I’m also the drummer of Awake. I was born in the Philippines in Angeles City but I live in Nieuwpoort which is on the coast in beautiful Belgium. I still live with my parents Shalee Miclat & Jessie Salalila and my little sister Naomi Salalila.
Through my whole life I’ve been busy with 2 things: Music & sports. I was blessed to be born in a musical family. My mom was a singer since she was young and still is! My dad was an athlete when he was young. So that’s probably why I got in love with both sports and music. My sister got infected as well with music & sports. She does swimming and plays the piano, drums and the bass-guitar and she is only 11! I’m very proud! I look forward to when she’s older. At the moment I’m in College to become a teacher English-History. Now that I’m in college, I had to make the call to quit Swimming, I just regularly go out to run and go to the gym to remain fit. At the moment I’m still constantly busy with music. I’ve been drumming for more than 10 years. I’m still in love with drumming every single day! I also play the guitar and bass guitar.
I’m so blessed to be born with Christian parents. I’ve been going to church as far as I can remember and I still am! Ofcourse my life as a Young Christian has not always been easy, it knows a lot of ups & downs but we learn from our mistakes and with God we have nothing to fear!
One day I got inspired by God, He kept giving me ideas and I didn’t know what to do. At first I start writing everything down on a piece of paper. At first in 2013-2014 we started as a band but it grew into something bigger into the Awake you know today!
Why am I here? Yes also because I love music, because you can express your feelings but the main reason I started Awake and why I’m still involved is because I want to see God’s Kingdom grow. I want his plan to go in action and to be fulfilled.
Favorite bible verse: Psalm 27:1
Shalee Miclat
Hi! My name is Shalee Miclat. I was born in the Philippines and live now in a little town in Nieuwpoort in Belgium. I am married and have 2 children.
I met the Lord, Jesus Christ and accepted him into my life when I was 15 years old and served him since then with music by singing. I am just a simple married woman loved by God and given an opportunity to serve him in music and it’s a blessing for me to be in the Awake-band. For God loved me so much He sent his son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price that I should have paid for but Jesus did for me instead. I am forever grateful and I will serve him as long as I live! Amen!
Bless the Lord of my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy name!
Steve Evans
Hi my name is Steve Evans, I am 36 years and have been involved in youth work for 20 years and I am also the PA man for the band. I was born in the UK and grow up in a Christian family, when I was 23 I moved to Belgium to help with a Christian youth group in Oostende, were I met my wife Sarah, we now have 2 wonderful boys.
When Stephen came to me and asked could we start a youth band, and with a vision to go out and connect youth groups and spread Gods word through music, it was like an answer to prayer. So Stephen got this band together. We prayed and prayed, rehearsed and rehearsed and grown together like family, where even rehearsals became a really worship time. I thank God for bringing us together and look forward to see what God has planned for us in the future
Favorite bible verse(s): Joshua 1:7 & 24:15
Bart Van Dingenen
Coming Soon
Lydie Buda
Coming Soon
Jonathan Kerkhof
Coming Soon
Michael Wittouck
Hello everyone! My name is Michael, I’m 22 of age and currently living in Wevelgem.
I always loved to dance and to sing, but I never had the satisfaction to just do it at home. When I got to know who God was and how He works in people their lives. I got inspired to sing and to join the choir in my church ‘Praise Center Kortrijk’. When my choir leader went to perform in Aalbeke, I did some voluntary work as a dishwasher and as a waiter, it is there where I got to meet ‘Jonathan Kerkhof’ who told me of Awake a Christian group/band in Oostende. He told me they were looking for male singers. At first I was very excited and honored to have been asked by a group. I don’t know a lot of worldly music and always kept to the songs I knew, so I found it great and exciting to discover new music and to meet new friends.
To be in Awake is a real blessing, they are a fun people to hang out with, they are kind and all above that, I am convinced that we will grow as a team and family, that we will touch lots of hearts and that we will bring them closer to our Father in heaven. To sing is not only a hobby but also a great gift of God given to me so I can serve Him and make his name higher!
Favorite bible verse: Proverbs 1:7