Executive Minister Inspires Songwriter’s Lyrics

Melissa Conde: It was when I heard the song for the first time, in our rehearsals. That it really hit me, my frustrations with wanting to get the song to Brother Eduardo. And him not hearing it. “Oh, I get it. It wasn’t meant for me to just sing it myself.”

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Melissa Conde

Composer of “Brother, We’ll Stand By You”

Melissa Conde: It was meant for everybody to sing. 

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Melissa has been performing and writing songs for the Church for many years. But in 2016, she wrote one particular song for our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo

Melissa Conde: I completed writing it shortly after the Closing Centennial Celebration. That was a time when a lot of us were being tested in our faith, at the same time. When something so personal happened to him, it really made us want to rush to his aid. When I was on my way back home, at the airport I said what can I do to help him? I just took a little bit of time to just write down my thoughts. And somehow it was able to be put to music. No matter what was happening in his life, the first people he wanted to make sure was OK was us. When we were being guided, we wanted to show him so much love. To make sure that he knew that we were ok. And so, you can only imagine how excited I was to maybe, somehow, get this over to him for him to hear. Just tell him that we feel his love and we feel God’s love through him. And that’s what this song is about. 

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Her hopes for Brother Eduardo to hear her song would take longer than she expected.

Melissa Conde: We thought maybe he might come visit us. And it was only months after. “Oh God’s wanting him to hear it!” Because as much as you feel it’s the right thing, it’s not up to you. God knows when the right time is. And we trusted that. 

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But two years later, Melissa would get the opportunity of a lifetime. 

Melissa Conde: For the 50^th Anniversary I had the opportunity to serve as a musical director for our district. Preparing music for our numbers. And I saw all the work being put into it. They wanted to make sure that the encore was more of a thank you. For taking the time to come out and celebrate with us. The first thing that came to mind was this song. 

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Melissa Conde

Composer of “Brother, We’ll Stand By You”

Melissa Conde: I’m like, “Just calm down, don’t insert yourself just cause you’re invested in the song and you know what it means to you.” I think maybe this might help lift it a little bit. Because it was really heartfelt, really deep. 

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After many meetings with the Music Directors and Ministers, Melissa’s prayers were answered. Her song, “Brother, We’ll Stand By You”, would be performed at the 50^th Anniversary in the West celebration in Sacramento, California. 

[Video – footage of song performance from celebration]

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Brother, We’ll Stand By You

Golden 1 Center

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Melissa Conde: When we say we love our Executive Minister it’s not to give lip service to a man. It’s not even what we’re doing at all. We definitely pray for him because we know he’s a man. And that he needs those prayers, he needs that love, he needs that encouragement. 

[Video – footage of song performance from celebration]

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Brother, We’ll Stand By You

Golden 1 Center

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Melissa Conde: There are a couple of verses that he has brought to our attention. It goes, God can do anything. He can do things that are beyond your imagination. More than what you could ever dream. In the end, God wants to give me good things that I ask for. But He knows exactly how to give that to you, so you have to truly trust him. If I had a chance I would tell Brother Eduardo thank you. For really showing us God’s love, through his example. If anything I could tell him that through his leadership we are all servants, that God loves us.