God's Story Through Simple Praise Ministry
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." — Psalm 127:1
Every ministry has a beginning.
Ours began with a simple "yes."
This is not merely the story of an organization. It is the story of God's faithfulness, His providence, and His invitation to serve His Church.
The Beginning (1987)
In 1987, while living in Carson, California, our Founder, Jojo Concepcion, heard the Lord calling him to lead His people in worship.
Although he had no idea where that calling would lead, he chose to trust God and respond with a willing heart.
That first "yes" led to the formation of a youth worship group called The Youth of Today, where young Catholics gathered to pray, sing, and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Looking back, God was already laying the foundation for something much greater.
Hawaii (1988–1994)
When Jojo moved to Ewa Beach, Hawaii, God opened new doors for ministry.
Serving at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, he continued leading worship and growing as a disciple.
In 1990, through prayer and discernment, the Lord inspired the founding of Simple Praise Ministry.
The name reflected a simple truth:
Worship is not about performance.
It is about giving simple, sincere praise to God.
Throughout the Diocese of Honolulu, Simple Praise Ministry began serving conferences, retreats, youth events, parish missions, healing services, and liturgies.
God continued to open doors that no one could have planned.
California (1994–2000)
In 1994, Jojo, his wife Maricar, and their daughter Kayla moved to Sacramento, California.
The ministry continued to grow.
Serving at St. Paul Catholic Church and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, God expanded opportunities to serve the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Sacramento, where the Simple Praise Ministry Worship Team was formed to lead worship at diocesan gatherings.
What had once been a local ministry was becoming a regional ministry.
Arizona (2000–Present)
In 2000, God called the Concepcion family to Phoenix, Arizona.
There, the ministry continued through parish music ministry, diocesan events, retreats, conferences, healing services, and Catholic Renewal Ministries.
As the years passed, another calling became clear.
The Lord was asking Simple Praise Ministry not only to lead worship—but to form worship leaders.
Musicians.
Cantors.
Choirs.
Leaders.
Missionary disciples.
Instead of simply serving events, the ministry began investing in people who could return to their own parishes and continue the work of evangelization.
In 2021, Jojo was blessed to begin serving as the Coordinator of the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Renewal Ministries (CRM).
This role has provided additional opportunities to collaborate with clergy, lay leaders, parish ministries, and diocesan organizations in fostering spiritual renewal, leadership formation, and evangelization throughout the Diocese of Phoenix.
A New Chapter
Today, God continues to write new chapters.
Simple Praise Ministry is expanding into:
- Catholic publishing
- Original worship music
- Books and devotionals
- Multimedia evangelization
- Leadership development
- Online education
- Parish ministry resources
- Conferences and retreats
Our prayer is simple:
That every book, every song, every video, every class, every conference, every ministry, and every act of service may lead someone closer to Jesus Christ.
The Journey Continues
Nearly forty years after one simple "yes" to God, the mission remains the same.
To worship God wholeheartedly.
To witness boldly.
To serve humbly.
We do not know where the Lord will lead next.
But we trust the One who has guided every step of this journey.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." — Proverbs 3:5–6
If this story has inspired you, perhaps God is writing a story in your life as well.
We invite you to join us as we continue this mission together.
Worship. Witness. Serve.