The story of  Guitar Aid. Dave Sumner, founder of the charity, demonstrates through his inspiring life of mission that although we rarely know where God is taking us, all he asks is that we take the next step.

“It’s not just a guitar. It’s a weapon of worship.” Martin Smith

“What do you have in your hand?”

When God asked Moses that question, he was carrying a staff. When God asked Dave Sumner that question, he was holding a guitar. Dave was preparing to visit Romania for the first time after the fall of communism. What if he would take brand-new guitars that could not be sold and give them for free to church leaders who couldn’t afford them? What difference would that make to their worship? What encouragement could it bring?

The timing was significant. Dave had recently created a miniature guitar for Sir Paul McCartney, on commission, to be presented to him on the 75th anniversary of the P. R. S. The word had quickly got around in the industry, so when Dave shared the idea of bringing aid to Eastern Europe in the form of guitars, they quickly caught the vision. Guitar Aid was born!