Mayo — Thirty-one-year-old concert pianist Gilbert J. Macias, who was born and raised and still lives in Miami, recently spent some time in Mayo and was invited by Pastor Geary Rowell to perform at a Christmas musical concert at the First United Methodist Church of Mayo on Dec. 9. He then made a surprise appearance, along with his parents Aurora and Ramon at the Mayo Woman’s Club holiday luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 11 to the delight of everyone as he played an amazing medley of Christmas songs.

Macias, with his “Created to Worship Him” ministries makes everyone’s jaws drop when he sits down at the piano and makes those black and white ivory keys come to life.

“I’ve been ministering here in several churches, both in music and preaching,” said Macias.

Macias and his parents were staying in Steinhatchee, which is just a short ride south of Mayo. He said he started visiting the area three years ago.

“Originally I came because I just wanted to take a few days off,” he said. “I saw that the area was very natural, which is what I like, but then I was looking for a church to worship at on Sunday.”

Macias found a church there in Steinhatchee and he shared his musical ministry ideas with the pastor, who then invited him to come and share it with the congregation.

“From that came another invitation, and another, and I’ve been coming ever since,” said Macias.

His visit this December is his 12th time in less than four years.

“I find myself coming up here more and more because I like the area,” he said.

Macias, who was educated at a private Christian school, now gives piano lessons to students in Miami when he’s not ministering. His ministering schedule, he said, is very open, since he is not tied down to just one church in Miami. He has a repertoire of specific programs for holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and New Year’s, as well as others that don’t relate to any holidays, he added.

Macias travels frequently throughout the year and he doesn’t charge a fee for his performances.

“I just do this for the Lord,” he said. “Some churches will give me a love offering and I’ll accept it because whatever I get from that I use for my ministry, for gas and for travel.”

He said he feels uncomfortable putting a price on his musical ministry.

“I just leave that in God’s hands,” said Macias.

Word of Macias’ talent has quickly spread among area churches. When asked how Pastor Geary Rowell found him, Macias explained he was in Mayo one day and spotted the Cuban coffee sign in front of Old Florida Company Coffee House, so he decided to go inside. That’s when he met owner Linda Partney. Months later, when he came back to Mayo, he stopped by the coffee house again and that was when Partney hooked him up with Pastor Rowell. The rest is history.

For more information about the ministry of Gilbert Macias, please call 305-338-0933 or drop him an e-mail at gmacias@bellsouth.net. Be sure to watch a short online video of Macias performing at the Mayo Woman’s Club at www.suwanneedemocrat.com.