By Jamie Osborne
Staff Writer
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MVNU alumnus Anthony Mako is giving back to the campus community through his leadership after following God’s call back to MVNU. Photo by Josha Falk.
The old has gone and the new has come to the worship platform for MVNU this year in chapel.
Last year’s worship leader, Les Claxon, has followed God’s call to a new ministry opportunity, and a new worship leader, Anthony Mako, steps in to fill his ministry. Mako, 28, graduated from MVNU in 2005 with a degree in church music.
He and his wife Leah have recently moved to Columbus from Beavercreek, Ohio, where he is the director of creative arts in worship. He is planning to move on to other ministry opportunities in Columbus.
Leah Mako graduated from OSU with a dietetics degree and works in the Columbus area. Anthony Mako grew up in Springfield, Ohio, and attended Maiden Lane Church for many years.
From a young age Mako excelled in music, discovering his love for music through piano lessons. He then discovered his love for guitar and has been playing for 15 years.
“I have always loved music, but when I was younger I thought I wanted to be an audio engineer,” Mako explained. “Music was just a hobby for me until my mentor took me under his wing and helped me realize that God wanted to use me to lead worship.”
This has led to many ministry opportunities, starting with leading worship during high school for his youth group at Maiden Lane Church.
After his freshman year at MVNU, he was offered the position of student worship coordinator, where he led worship for chapels, which was valuable in his learning. After he graduated from MVNU, he was offered a position to lead worship at Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene.
“He has skills working with bands and vocals, and has worked in a church setting for more than six years planning and leading various styles of worship,” said Geri Rosser, assistant to the chaplain for worship and adjunct music faculty.
Mako strongly feels that it was God who led him back to MVNU.
“I love the growth that happened in me during my time here at college,” he said. “The people that poured into me were a massive part of my formation, so the reason I was so compelled to come here was to try and do the same for others.”
Claxon, the former worship leader, has moved back to his hometown of South Webster, Ohio. He is now the worship pastor at Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene in Wheelersburg, Ohio.
“I had an absolute blast leading the student body in worship last year, and I hope to have the opportunity to return as a guest worship leader at some point,” said Claxon.
Mako will be leading the worship during Monday and Friday chapel services, while Wednesday chapel will continue to be student led.
Rosser stated that there will not be many changes within the worship portion of chapel other than the new band leader.
“I think anticipation is big in worship,” Mako said. “Chapel can be the thing you have to come to a certain amount of times a year if you want it to, or it can be the time that you set aside to praise, learn and grow.”
