With the sun shining so lavishly, bringing in the summer with a smile, and Jesus pouring life into every ministry effort, there is a deep joy that certainly makes life worth living!  The Christian Guitarist Fellowship brought a wide range of ages from a number of churches and proved to be a very encouraging time.  The performance at Spirit West Coast with the Cede band went well (what a joy to play with such highly skilled musicians).  Unfortunately, my guitar didn’t make my flight and I had to wait for it to arrive on the next one.  The last picture above  is my Guitar for Fun class at Valley Christian Elementary School.  There are a lot of events coming up.  Take a look and I hope to see you at a few of them!

Private Lessons This Summer

I am teaching private guitar lessons this Summer at the following locations for June and July.  I will be taking all of August off.  If you’re interested in lessons,  just email me at [email protected] and I can set you up.

• Guitar Showcase in San Jose
• Valley Christian High School in San Jose
• Bridges Community Church in Los Altos
• My home in Mount Hermon

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Reggie’s Concerts This Summer

I will be doing a number of concerts this summer throughout the Bay Area.  They are entitled “Empower” which will inspire and encourage you to allow Jesus to empower you to live life to the full!  In each location, the concerts will begin at 6:00pm Sunday evenings.  I’ll be sharing songs that haven’t been recorded yet and some favorites.  The evening will also include worship songs you can sing along with.  More information can be found at

https://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ .

• July 1 (Sun) – Los Altos Concert, Bridges Community Church
• July 8 (Sun) – Castro Valley Concert & Worship, Redwood Chapel Comm. Ch.
• July 22 (Sun) – Felton Concert, Felton Bible Church
• July 29 (Sun) – Morgan Hill Concert, Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church
• August 12 (Sun) – San Jose Concert, South Hills Community Church (Please note the date change. The last eNewsletter said August 5 which is no longer correct)

Guitar Intensives This Summer

We will be holding six three-hour Guitar Intensives this summer.  Three are for youth grades 5-12 and three are for adults.  The youth ones are held on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Valley Christian High School in the Conservatory Bldg. (San Jose area).  The adult ones are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Fireside Room (Santa Cruz area).  The Advanced Guitar one has been changed to July 14 at my home from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.  Make sure you fill out an Application Form and get it in right away.  The curriculum is more intensive in order to get a lot in, but they are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  They include three hours of instruction, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD included), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• July 7 (Sat) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 13 (Fri) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 14 (Sat) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 14 (Sat) – Advanced Guitar Intensive (Adult), 1:00pm, Reggie’s home
• July 20 (Fri) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 27 (Fri) – Advanced Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS

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Worship Leading Intensive This Summer

June 30 (Sat), 9:00am to 12:00pm – Worship Leading Intensive (Adult).  We will be holding a three-hour Worship Leading Intensive this summer at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Fireside Room (Santa Cruz area), limited to 10 participants.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes three hours of instruction and practical interaction, a challenging training/resource book (The Worship Leader’s Handbook, by Tom Kreauter), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

Songwriting Camp This Summer

August 11 (Sat) – Christian Songwriting Camp (Adult)

We will be holding a one day Songwriting Camp this summer at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center Fireside Room, limited to 10 participants.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes three hours of instruction, sharing songs, personal coaching, a challenging training/resource book (God Songs, by Paul Baloche with Jimmy & Carol Owens), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 22, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  Racers for Christ are leading the chapel fellowships and teaching during these events.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

Would You Consider Contributing to Heartfelt Music Ministry?

Go to https://heartfeltmusic.org/about/support/ to either donate a one-time gift or begin a monthly contribution.  Any amount would be propel us forward.  Your tax deductible gifts enable us to minister to others who greatly desire our services but cannot afford to pay for them.

I hope your summer is filled with joy as you let Jesus live through you.

In His Life & Love,

Reggie

Summer is almost here!  School is wrapping up for the year and already we are making plans for the summer.  The following events are ones you may want attend or let others know who may be interested: Concerts, Training in guitar, worship leading, and songwriting.  You may be interested in a few lessons as a Tune-Up.  Thank you for your encouragement and continued prayers for me and Heartfelt Music Ministry as we work in God’s strength to lead others toward intimacy with God and equip others to glorify God.

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Christian Guitarist Fellowship

The Christian Guitarist Fellowship is back.  Everyone is invited from beginners to advanced players, from rockers to alternative players, from acoustic to electric players, from teenagers to the ageless.  Come and meet guitarists from all over the Bay Area. Heartfelt Music Ministry is holding the Christian Guitarist Fellowship to help motivate you in your guitar playing and encourage you in Christ. There will be a short lesson for all levels; we will have breakout “jam” sessions where you pair-off with those in your skill level; we will play some worship songs together; a few will perform in front of everyone; we’ll pray together; and we’ll discuss resources for guitarists in the Bay Area. It will be fun fellowship and it’s free! Even those who have never played before, but want to learn to play the guitar are welcome. It will be at Redwood Chapel Community, 19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546, on Sunday, May 20^th, from 3:00pm-5:00pm.  http://www.klove.com/events/detail.aspx?i=205954

Guitar Intensives This Summer

I will be teaching six one day Guitar Intensives this summer.  Three are three for youth grades 5-12 through Valley Christian Schools and three are for adults at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center through Heartfelt Music Ministry.  The youth ones are held on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Valley Christian High School in the Conservatory Bldg. (San Jose area).  The adult ones are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Fireside Room (Santa Cruz area).  Make sure you fill out an Application Form and get it in right away.  The curriculum is more intensive in order to get a lot in, but they are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  They include three hours of instruction, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD included), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.  We decided to identify these as Intensives rather than Camps because they are only on one day and not multiple days.

• July 7 (Sat) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 13 (Fri) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 14 (Sat) – Intermediate Guitar  Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 20 (Fri) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive, (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 27 (Fri) – Advanced Guitar Intensive, (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• August 4 (Sat) – Advanced Guitar  Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon

Worship Leading Camp This Summer

June 30 (Sat), 9:00am to 12:00pm – Worship Leading Camp (Adult)

This worship leading camp is a great way to develop the skill of leading others in singing and worship.  As Jim Burns has said (National conference speaker & author, President of HomeWord Ministries):  “Reggie Coates is one of the finest worship leaders in the United States.  He has the incredible ability to lead people toward a loving relationship with God through a humble and beautiful style of leadership.”   Reggie will be teaching and coaching you to be your utmost for Him.  The morning includes a challenging training/resource book, a notebook, relevant handouts, and three hours of interactive instruction.  The book is called The Worship Leader’s Handbook  by Tom Kraeuter.  Each person will lead and receive critique.    It includes three hours of instruction and sharing songs, a challenging training/resource book (The Worship Leader’s Handbook, by Tom Kreauter), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

Songwriting Camp This Summer

August 11 (Sat) – Christian Songwriting Camp (Adult)

We will be holding a one day Songwriting Camp this summer at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center Fireside Room, limited to a 10 participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes three hours of instruction and sharing songs, a challenging training/resource book (God Songs, by Paul Baloche with Jimmy & Carol Owens), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

Reggie’s Concerts The Summer

I will be doing a number of concerts this summer throughout the Bay Area.  They are entitled “Empower” which will inspire and encourage you to allow Jesus to empower you to live life to the full!  In each location, the concerts will begin at 6:00pm Sunday evenings.  I’ll be sharing songs that haven’t been recorded yet and some favorites.  The evening will have worship songs you can sing along with.  More information can be found at  https://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ .

• July 1 (Sun) – Los Altos Concert, Bridges Community Church
• July 8 (Sun) – Castro Valley Concert & Worship Gathering, Redwood Chapel Comm. Ch.
• July 22 (Sun) – Felton Concert, Felton Bible Church
• July 29 (Sun) – Morgan Hill Concert, Morgan Hill First Presbyterian Church
• August 5 (Sun) – San Jose Concert, South Hills Community Church

Cede and Reggie Performing at Spirit West Coast in Del Mar

Cede will be performing at Spirit West Coast in Del Mar (Southern California), Friday, May 25^th.  I’ll be playing acoustic guitar and singing with a few others from Cede at the Hope Christian Bookstore tent.  We will be singing favorites from our CD and other worship songs with a motivation to live in Jesus.  For more information see http://spiritwestcoast.org/Delmar/  [The Monterey Spirit West Coast festival has been cancelled for this year.]

National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 22, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  Racers for Christ are leading the chapel fellowship and teaching during these events.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

Would You Consider Contributing to Heartfelt Music Ministry?

We would greatly appreciate any financial contribution you could make at this time.  Go to https://heartfeltmusic.org/about/support/ to either donate a one-time gift or begin a monthly contribution.  Any amount would be such a help.  Your tax deductible gifts enable us to minister to others who greatly desire our services but cannot afford to pay for them.  May you have a Spirit enriched summer.

Living In Jesus,

Reggie

This month and next will hold some events you will not want to miss.  All the details can be found on our site at https://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/.

Sunday is Easter and I’ll be leading music for Mount Hermon’s Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30am on the Ponderosa Lodge hill where the cross is. Then, at 11:00am, I’ll be leading worship at Redwood Chapel for their Easter Service with orchestra and choir as well.  Next Friday, April 13^th, I’ll be doing a concert with Bob Bennett in Atascadero, CA (7:00pm).  We’ll be gently sharing about Jesus through personal stories and music.  April 15^th, I’ll be leading a workshop on Improving Performance at Guitar Showcase at 2:30pm.  I’ll be leading worship for South Hills Men’s Retreat at Mission Springs (4/27-29).  In May, there will be the Christian Guitarist Fellowship at Redwood Chapel (5/20, 3:00pm-5:00pm) where everyone is invited.  I’ll also be performing at Spirit West Coast Del Mar in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (5/25).  In June, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Monterey in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (6/23).  In July, I’ll be playing the Star Spangled Banner at the Infineon Raceway on electric guitar like last year (7/22) and leading the racers in worship in three services that morning.

Please, continue to pray for me and this ministry as we lead others toward intimacy with God.

Last weekend, the BASS Church Workers Conference was packed with great training experiences.  All the instructors for the Worship & Music track received the highest marks and did a fantastic job!  I taught three workshops with over 50 in each class.

Yesterday, the Worship Ensemble from Valley Christian High School sang with the Lost Trailers at their concert at the Rodeo Club in San Jose.  We entered a contest to sing Amazing Grace to close the show and, out of 16 groups trying out, we won!  It was a blast.

Tonight, I’ll be the DJ for Live Oak Academy’s dinner/dance.  My son is a Junior there.

Tomorrow, I’ll be leading a workshop on Improving Performance at Guitar Showcase at 2:30pm (see below).  In April, I’ll be doing a concert with Bob Bennett in Atascadero (4/13) and leading worship for South Hills Men’s Retreat at Mission Springs (4/27-29).  In May, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Del Mar in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (5/25).  In June, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Monterey in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (6/23).  In July, I’ll be performing the Star Spangled Banner at the Infineon Raceway on electric guitar like last year (7/22).

Workshop on Improving Performance

March 11 (Sun), 2:30pm-3:30pm, Guitar Showcase in San Jose (3090 S. Bascom Ave., 95124).  I will be teaching a workshop on Improving Performance.  I will take you through dynamic performance practices to improve your performance in front of others. Using your skill, personality, leadership, communication, and relational abilities, you will improve in confidence and quality performance practices.  These workshops will culminate in recitals in May.  $20.00 per workshop.  SMI students are free.

I am so thankful for your prayers and support for this high impact ministry.

Winter has been quite busy – full of ministry.  Training the High School Worship Ensemble at Valley Christian High School has been a positive influence on the 1300 students they lead in worship during the weekly chapels.  They even came to Redwood Chapel to lead worship one Sunday and did a fantastic job.  I’m so proud of them.

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Weekly leading worship at Redwood Chapel has been such a blessing.  Earlier this month, I held the second Upreach Worship Gathering which went very well:  Singing His Praise, Sharing His Love, and Blessing His Name.

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I am continuing to teach guitar in San Jose, Los Altos, and Mount Hermon.  This month, I have added two new students who are eager to use their talents for Christ.  One thing conveniently added is that lessons and purchases through Heartfelt Music Ministry can now be made by Debit or Credit cards.

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BASS Bay Area Church Workers Convention

March 2 & 3 (Fri & Sat), Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley (19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546).  I will be teaching three workshops on Worship Infusion, Dynamic Guitar in Worship, and Worship Band Interactive.  The conference is huge and a blast for all, so you’ve got to try and make it at least one day!  More info at: http://bassconvention.org/Index.cfm

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Workshop on Improving Performance

March 11 (Sun), 2:30pm-3:30pm, Guitar Showcase in San Jose (3090 S. Bascom Ave., 95124).  I will be teaching a workshop on Improving Performance.  I will take you through dynamic performance practices to improve your performance in front of others. Using your skill, personality, leadership, communication, and relational abilities, you will improve in confidence and quality performance practices.  These workshops will culminate in recitals in May.  $20.00 per workshop.  SMI students are free.

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Other Coming Events

In April, I’ll be doing a concert with Bob Bennett in Atascadero (4/13) and leading worship for South Hills Men’s Retreat at Mission Springs (4/27-29).  In May, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Del Mar in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (5/26).  In June, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Monterey in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (6/23).  I will also be setting up concert and training workshops for the coming months, so stay tuned!

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Continue to pray for Heartfelt Music Ministry, for me and my family.  You are an important part of giving this ministry a high impact influence on the Bay Area and beyond.  Thank you so much for your support!

We wish you a very…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

…and a…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Teaching music at Valley Christian Schools, leading worship at Redwood Chapel Community Church, and teaching private guitar through Heartfelt Music Ministry has been such a blessing this fall.   I prayed at the end of last summer that God would place me in “high impact” ministries to continue to train and encourage His people and build His kingdom.  He answered my prayer!  I feel so fortunate to do what I enjoy and see others use their gifts for God’s glory.

November had some added ministry with leading music for Mount Hermon’s Family Thanksgiving Retreat.  December culminated with a beautiful evening at Redwood Chapel called Festival of Carols (I played guitar), a series of concerts with Valley Christian School’s Conservatory of the Arts groups at the California Theater downtown San Jose, and completed my first semester at VCS just yesterday.  2012 will have some nice things to look forward to:  Performing a series of concerts in January & February (more info to come); leading workshops at the BASS convention in March;  in April, I’ll be joining Bob Bennett for a concert in Atascadero as well as lead workshops for M0unt Hermon’s Christian Songwriter’s Conference.

I hope you get a break to relax over Christmas and New Years.  May God’s incarnation make a significant impact on you this year as you make room for Jesus in your heart like never before.  2012 is almost here!  ~ Reggie & the HMM Board

I hope you are doing well and leaning on God’s deep love for you.  This month has been filled with coaching, teaching, and leading for me.  I’m also thankful that the ministry goes beyond who I see day to day.  Here’s some encouraging quotes:

“I just wanted to thank you for singing my girls to sleep every night.  Truly you have come full circle, Matthew and I grew up with your music and now so are our girls.  They love your music and during nap time I heard Ches singing “Ain’t Nobody”.  Thanks for sharing your gift, this family truly appreciates it.”  ~ Corrie

“Hi Reggie.  It’s so exciting to see all that you’re doing for the Kingdom.  I listened to a few of your videos and your voice has not changed, but boy do you ever rock that guitar even better than you did at 16 (and you were fabulous then!).  I’m so pleased to say I know you, Reggie.”  ~ Rebecca

Last Sunday, the Upreach Worship Night with me and the band Cede went very well.  Heartfelt Music, Redwood Chapel, and the band Cede joined together to offer a night of praise and worship to God with fun music and encouraging stories.   The next event begins Thanksgiving day at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center:

Mount Hermon Thanksgiving Family Conference

November 24-27 (Thu-Sun), Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  I will be leading worship for their Thanksgiving Family Conference.  It begins with Thursday evening’s abundant traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinner of moist, succulent turkey and a cornucopia of delights.  It concludes Sunday with an equally mouth-watering brunch.  The celebration is stuffed with specially designed activities for all ages and for the whole family.  Pastor Mark Spurlock from Twin Lakes Church will teaching for the evenings, and Pastor Steve Hopper, a pastor and instructor for Walk Thru the Bible, will be teaching morning sessions plus leading two additional breakout sessions.  Find more information at http://mounthermon.org/family/specialty/thanksgiving-family-camp.

Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive through the power of the Spirit to lead others toward intimacy with God.  Hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving weekend!

Truly Thankful, 

Reggie Coates
Executive Director,
Heartfelt Music Ministry

October Update

Fall is well underway and there has been significant transitions for me.  I concluded my Interim Worship Leader position at Open Door Church Mountain View at the end of August after a wonderful 8 months of ministry.  Yet, Heartfelt Music Ministry continues full speed ahead.  Last month, my boys and I led worship for Silver Spur Christian Conference Center’s Men’s Retreat and had a blast.  Great to see so many men’s lives changed in Christ!

Tomorrow, I’ll be teaching a guitar workshop on Alternate Tunings at Guitar Showcase in San Jose.  Next Saturday, I’ll be leading the Worship Infusion Conference with talented friends in Keyboard, Voice, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, and Audio training.  In November, Cede and I will be in concert in Castro Valley at Redwood Chapel’s Family Worship Night.  Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be leading worship for Mount Hermon’s Family Retreat.   Plus, I continue to teach private lessons to 23 students in Los Altos, San Jose, Mount Hermon and Castro Valley.

I am now teaching music and worship in San Jose at the Conservatory of the Arts with Valley Christian Schools.  Most of my classes are at the High School (Worship Band, Music Technology, Private Guitar Lessons, and Worship Advisor), but I also teach the Cadet Band at the Middle School and a Fun Guitar Class at the Elementary School.  What an opportunity to mentor and nurture these young leaders.

I’m excited to start ministering at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley as their Director of Worship Ministries.  They have a rich history of good music and I’m glad to be a part of that.  Continuing in a weekly ministry will keep my worship leading skills honed and keep me accountable to folks who see me on a regular basis.  Their Sunday morning gathering is now called New Community with an emphasis on being Christ centered:  Reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out, because He reached down to us.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Guitar Workshop on Alternate Tunings

October 9 (Sun), 2:00pm-3:00pm, Guitar Showcase in San Jose (3090 S. Bascom Ave., 95124).  I will be teaching a workshop on guitar alternate tunings.  We’ll cover Dropped-D, Double Dropped-D, Open G, DADGAD, and even look at DADDAD with a wild song I wrote called Morning Come Lately. The cost is only $10.00 which includes handouts (free for SMI students).

Worship Infusion Conference & Concert with Reggie

October 15 (Sat), 1:00pm-7:45pm, First Presbyterian Church in Richmond (3415 Barrett Ave., Richmond, CA 94805).  I will be leading workshops and teaching at the general sessions at this half day worship conference with First Presbyterian Church in Richmond.  I’ll open at 1:00pm with a General Session on Worship Infusion and there will be two breakout sessions with classes listed below.  Dinner is provided from 5:30pm-6:30pm, and I’ll be doing a concert at the end of the conference at 6:30pm.  The cost for the day is only $15.00 (go to https://heartfeltmusic.org/academy/workshops/ to register).  The classes will be:

• Intro to Keyboard/Piano in Worship – Nancy Groeneveld
• Experienced Keyboard/Piano in Worship – Nancy Groeneveld
• Intro to Guitar in Worship – Austin Coates
• Experienced Guitar in Worship – Reggie Coates
• Drums in Worship – Joe Pacheco
• Singing in Worship – Reggie Coates
• Bass Guitar in Worship – Nils Johnson
• Audio Engineering in Worship – Greg Kopchinski

Family Worship Night with Reggie and Cede

November 20 (Sun), 6:00pm-7:15pm, Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley (19300 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA  94546).  Heartfelt Music, Redwood Chapel, and the band Cede are joining together to offer a night of praise and worship to God with fun music and stories to encourage you in your faith.  The night will center around the joy we experience in Christ.  Since the release of their new CD called New Beginnings, Cede continues to hold the #1 position at Reverb Nation.  Check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.

Mount Hermon Thanksgiving Family Conference

November 24-27 (Thu-Sun), Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  I will be leading worship for their Thanksgiving Family Conference.  It begins with Thursday evening’s abundant traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinner of moist, succulent turkey and a cornucopia of delights.  It concludes Sunday with an equally mouth-watering brunch.  The celebration is stuffed with specially designed activities for all ages and for the whole family.  Pastor Mark Spurlock from Twin Lakes Church will teaching for the evenings, and Pastor Steve Hopper, a pastor and instructor for Walk Thru the Bible, will be teaching morning sessions plus leading two additional breakout sessions.  Find more information at http://mounthermon.org/family/specialty/thanksgiving-family-camp.

Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive through the power of the Spirit to lead others toward intimacy with God.

Last week, I had the privileged of leading the pre-schoolers in worship for Open Door Church Mountain View’s Vacation Bible School.  Every morning, about 40 of them would rotate through to get a story and “sing-a-long with Reggie.”  It was a blast and they were very sweet.

National Anthem at Infineon Raceway

Sunday, July 24th, proved to be a tremendous opportunity to encourage some of the Christians at the Infineon Raceway.  I led worship for the three Chapels in the morning and then played the National Anthem for the opening ceremonies.  Racers for Christ is an organization that any of the racers can join to show that they are Christians.  Their race cars bear a sticker that says “Racers for Christ.”  Chaplains who are a part of Racers for Christ realize these racers don’t get a regular Sunday morning church experience.

Reggie with Chaplains Bob and Jim

The chapels are very encouraging and the chaplains walk around all day praying for the racers and lifting them up.  It was such a blast to see individuals at the chapels and then see them in their racing gear getting into their cool cars.   Playing the National Anthem was a blast!  Being in the booth with the announcers and a curious little boy listening on, I did a kind of “Jimmy Hendrix” style of the Star Spangled Banner on electric guitar.