December Ministry Update
December 14, 2010 Ministry Journal No CommentsI now have eight of my recordings available on CDs. People have been asking me to put my first 3 recordings on CD since they were created on cassettes only. Now they are available! Also, Confidence and Intimacy have been out of print for some time now, but they are available now. You can even pick an 8 CD Bundle of all my CDs available for a fantastic discount. The CDs included are:
~ Here To Worship
~ Heartfelt Praise (Disc 1)
~ Confidence
~ Intimacy
~ Heartfelt Celebration
~ Take It To Heart
~ No Greater Love
~ Living In Jesus
Click here to go to our updated “Products Page” and order some. You’ll hear songs such as All For You and Peace which are award winning songs recorded only on these early collections.
I have accepted a new position as Interim Worship Leader with Open Door Church in Mountain View as I continue ministering with Heartfelt Music Ministry as well. Thank you for your prayers during this decision of which position to take and continue to pray for this new adventure starting the end of December. I’ll be finishing up as the Interim First Service Worship Director of First Presbyterian Church of Hayward at the end of this month. It has been such a good experience and I have grown in love with the people.
Private lessons are one of the most fulfilling things I do. Training and coaching musicians to thrive in their skill and use it to glorify the Lord. I am teaching in Danville, San Jose, Los Altos, and Mount Hermon. If you know of anyone who would like private lessons, let me know. [click here to find out more about lessons]
December sometimes means an end-of-the-year giving for businesses and individuals. However, this year is pretty tight for everyone. As you know, Heartfelt Music Ministry is partially supported by contributions, so if you feel led to give at this time, we would appreciate it so much. We are behind this month and could use some extra help. Thank you for your generous support! Each gift is tax-deductible [click here to read more about donations].
November Ministry Update
November 14, 2010 Ministry Journal, Upcoming Events No CommentsThis autumn has been filled with God-designed-moments for encouraging and training others. I was able to play guitar for the John Fisher and Noel Paul Stookey concert. Also, I’m doing a series of concerts in the Bay Area which has been great to see old friends and magnify the Lord through my music and testimony. I’ve been recording with a band called Cede who has recently recorded my song Ain’t Nobody with a very “hot” gospel arrangement. You can hear it at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.
I’m teaching 20 private guitar lessons in San Jose, Los Altos, Mount Hermon, and Danville. Do you know anyone who would like to be empowered as guitarists and go to the next level? Here’s a quote from last week: “Reggie, Thank you so much for your time thus far in teaching my son. It has been a blessing and a character builder. He has learned so much, not just guitar, but how to be a man of his word, sacrifice, and commitment. What a blessing! So may the LORD bless you and strengthen you and may His face shine upon you and your family.” ~ Tiffany D.
Coming Events
I’ll be doing three concerts coming up, so I hope you can make one of them (see the events below or go to Events online). I’ll be sharing about my faith journey as well as encouraging you in Christ.
Mark your calendars to pray for the following events and come if you can. Here’s what’s coming:
- Concert in Los Altos
November 14 (Sun) – Bridges Community Church (formerly known as First Baptist Church of Los Altos), CA. Family worship and concert. Reggie will be sharing in concert at 7:00pm.
- Concert in Santa Rosa
November 21 (Sun) – Spring Hills Community Church, Santa Rosa, CA. Family worship and concert. Reggie will be sharing in concert at 6:00pm.
- Choir Christmas Concert with special guest David Talbot in Hayward December 5 (Sun) – First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, CA. Reggie will be directing the choir in a music presentation called “God with Us.” Special guest David Talbot will be sharing his organ/piano tapestry during the evening. The Christmas presentation will begin at 7:00pm.
- Concert in Castro Valley
December 12 (Sun) – New Life Christian Church, Castro Valley, CA. Family worship and concert. Reggie will be sharing in concert at 6:00pm.
Support Status
In September, The Heartfelt Music Board of Directors sent an invitation for support toward me and my family to minister with Heartfelt Music Ministry in a larger capacity. The hope was to raise $2,000 a month of support and right now it’s at $750. What a blessing to have this support! “Thank you” to all who are investing in this ministry. We are short this month and could use some help. If you would like to make a donation, simply click here. If you know of a business that would like to make a donation to a non-profit organization, let me know. Thanks so much.
October Ministry Reflection
November 3, 2010 Ministry Journal No Comments.
October was such a rewarding month for me and Heartfelt Music Ministry. I’m continuing to touch over 60 students a week through instruction and coaching. The National Worship Leader Conference in Pennsylvania was my third time with them encouraging over 150 worship leaders to play skillfully on both electric and acoustic guitars. Heartfelt Music Ministry came to First Presbyterian Church in Richmond and with 6 instructors to train and equip in Effective Worship Leading. It went very well and ended with me giving a concert (which some songs made it to YouTube.com through a student’s phone camera). Also, I’ve been recording with a talented band called Cede headed up by Scott Metcalf and they have recorded two of my songs with a Gospel flavor that rocks (Getting Stronger and Ain’t Nobody). Hopefully a CD will be out soon.
Encouraging Notes
October 26, 2010 Ministry Journal, Reggie's Journey No Comments .
I have received some very encouraging emails lately and wanted to share some of them. Thank you so much for words that spur me on!
“What struck me as soon as I started reading your newsletter is how faithful you have been over the years to teach and encourage young/old musicians. Guitar playing hasn’t been my focus, but I’m so grateful that you are building this skill with musicians. What a blessing you have been to many with your teaching and worship leading! May He continue to enlarge your ministry!” ~ Wanda P.
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“I have been thinking lately about people who have a great idea and do something about it. You are one of those people! As I was dwelling on that idea, you came to the very front of my mind and I could not shake the feeling that you could use some encouragement. MANY times when I have my guitar in hand I remember the training and good times I had at the Christian Guitar and Bass Conferences. All of that great teaching and encouragement in one place! What an awesome thing!!! I know that it had to take its toll on you and your family (to whom I am also grateful ) but you did it. I’m sure you would say not without the Lords help, but someone had to be the hands and feet for it. I am glad it was you! I have enjoyed your company and gentle spirit every time that I had the opportunity. So I just want to say thank you for “getting out of the shower, drying off and doing something about the great idea that you had” for the CGBC. May God continue to bless your endeavors and your great ideas in the future!! Thanks again.” ~ Jeff C.
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“Enjoyed your teaching at National Worship Leader Conference East. We could surely tell that as much as your formal training is in voice, your love is playing guitar. Thank you for the cords and techniques to work with. May God bless you as you encourage others to glorify Jesus with their best skills.” ~ David B.
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“Reggie is the amazing triple play, fabulous musician, inspirational leader, and fantastic teacher. To find all these qualities in one person is rare, to find them in a person as humble as Reggie is astounding. I’m extremely grateful for Reggie’s mentoring, he has helped my playing and worship leading immensely. I’m proud to count Reggie as a friend.” ~ Steve M.
September Ministry Reflection & Update
October 1, 2010 Ministry Journal, Upcoming Events No Comments
As Executive Director of Heartfelt Music, I am training and encouraging Christians throughout the country. But locally, I’m teaching music to over 55 students between private lessons and group courses at four different Christian Schools as well as Guitar Showcase in San Jose. Ten hours a week, I’m ministering with First Presbyterian Church in Hayward as their Choir Director and Traditional Service Director. Next week, I’ll be teaching guitar workshops at the National Worship Leader Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Later this month, I’ll be leading worship for the Mount Hermon Men’s Retreat (Oct. 22-24). It’s been a busy month, but it’s a joy to daily be used by God in significant ways continuing to have a high impact on many lives.
I’ll be doing two concerts in the next couple of months, so I hope you can make one of them (see the events below or go to Events online). I’ll be sharing about my faith journey as well as encouraging you in Christ. Hope to see you there!
- Concert & Training in Richmond
October 16 (Saturday) – First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, CA. Family worship and concert. Reggie will be sharing in concert at 7:00pm. There will also be a Leading Worship Effectively & Team Building workshop Saturday, October 16 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with breakout sessions from 4:00pm to 5:00pm on Voice, Guitar, Drums, Keyboard, and Sound. The cost is only $10.00 and includes dinner from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. You can make a whole day of it. For more information contact the church office at (510) 234-0954.
- Concert in Los Altos
November 14 (Sunday) – Bridges Church (formerly known as First Baptist Church of Los Altos), CA. Family worship and concert. Reggie will be sharing in concert at 7:00pm. For more information contact the church office at (650) 948-5698.
Raising Support for This Fall
September 6, 2010 Ministry Journal No CommentsReggie here. I am now working with Heartfelt Music Ministry full-time. He is leading me and Heartfelt Music Ministry into full throttle, high impact, life changing work with the church-at-large to His glory.
Financial Support to Heartfelt Music Ministry is a wise investment. Our mission of leading others toward intimacy with God is the thrust of God’s heart. This gives us our compelling vision to use quality music, exemplary leadership, worship leading, practical training, and motivational speaking to encourage, inspire, and equip each person to draw closer to God.
You can donate a one-time gift or regular contribution to Heartfelt Music Ministry which is tax-deductible. We would be honored and so grateful for you to choose us as your ministry/missions organization in giving regular financial support. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. More information can be found at our Support Page (Click here).
Make a donation online using PayPalTM by clicking on the Donate button below or set up a recurring monthly donation for $25, $50, $75, $100, or $125 by clicking on the appropriate amount with the Subscribe button below.
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Private Lessons Are a Big Help
September 6, 2010 Ministry Journal No CommentsI am teaching more private lessons this fall in San Jose, Los Altos, San Ramon, and Mount Hermon. Here’s a quote from Ted Kroger who is a current student.
“I have been Reggie’s student for about 18 months. I had been playing guitar for years but I had hit a plateau in my growth. A friend of mine handed me one of Reggie’s CDs, and I decided to take lessons. I wanted to learn more right-hand techniques and chord voicings so I could play improvisationally and apply them in songwriting. Having Reggie as a teacher has helped me make the most out of a limited amount of practice time. Reggie’s enthusiasm for teaching guitar has been constant long after our first impressions. Each lesson, after a robust greeting, we begin by reviewing a bit of my progress from last time. Often I’ve told him in advance where I’ve been struggling or what I’d like to learn next, so he has come well-equipped with handouts that aid in retention. He even sends me a downloadable video summary of each lesson so I can refer back to it weeks later. Reggie has taught at the collegiate level, but his teaching doesn’t get bogged down in theory. Instead he tailors lessons that move students toward the goals they’ve set, and fills in precepts of theory as they seem relevant. Reggie is a very skilled guitarist, an enthusiastic coach, and a businessman who structures things so they are very user-friendly. And his walk in Christ adds a dimension of fellowship to each class! My wife says she has never seen me move around the fingerboard so much. And I feel more excited and confident in my playing than I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Ted Kroger,
Private guitar student with Reggie in San Jose, California
Come join the fun! Call (925) 206-9895 to get started.