The Worship Wayside Retreat is a refreshing get-a-way for anyone infolved with worship leading or in a worship band.  It will be Friday & Saturday, September 5 & 6, 2008, at Trail Christian Fellowship in Southern Oregon.  Last year, it was called the Christian Guitar & Bass Conference, but this year they’re including all instruments.  I will be hosting the conference and leading some workshops.  I’ll be joining some wonderful instructors like Adam Nitti and John Standefer.  For more information visit their web site at http://www.trail.org/w-conf/

This weekend is the Labor Day Family Camp at Sugarpine Conference Center.  I’ll be leading worship for the four day weekend.  A very skillful musician friend, Mike Ogdon, will be joining me for Saturday on Keyboard and vocals.  There will be all ages there, so pray that the intergenerational dynamic would be inspirational and fun for all.  I want those attending to not just like the music, but to have their hearts expanded toward God long term.  Your prayers make a difference and I thank you for your involvement in God’s Kingdom work this way.

The Mount Hermon Songwriter’s Conference was a success for all.  There was a great turn out and the program was very well done.  The best part was the people involved and their humble attitudes.  When you get big named people like Paul Baloche, Joy Williams, Charlie Peacock and Don Moen, it’s refreshing to relate to them as experienced family members.  I led two well attended workshops.  I was able to encourage many participants which provided new friendships and some networking for some who are just beginning their journey of songwriting.  The craft of songwriting is such a great tool to glorify God and help others creatively express their faith.  Thank you for your prayers.

Since my family and I moved to Danville in August, we’ve been sorting through boxes, getting the “lay of the land,” starting school, and balancing personal life with Creekside Community Church and Heartfelt Music Ministry.  It’s been so positive and a lively adventure for all of us!  Transitions are difficult no matter how you cut it, but I’ve been so encouraged that all of us feel at “home” in the house we’re in and see God’s handiwork through it all.  The boys have just started school which is specifically tailored for them.  Sherri’s loving being so close to every store imaginable.  I’m loving the facets of being a husband, father, and full-on pastor at Creekside.  Pray that we would get settled into some routines and make a difference in this community.

Mount Hermon’s Christian Songwriter’s Conference, August 25-28, 2008 (Monday-Thursday).

After a fantastic Songwriters Conference two years ago at Mt. Hermon Christian Conference Center, sponsored by Integrity Hosanna! Music, Mount Hermon has decided to start one of their own.  They will have such big names as Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Joy Williams, and many more.  If you are a seasoned songwriter or just starting, you’ll get tons of tools, information, and find great fellowship.  Hope to see you there!  I’ll be leading a couple of workshops to help songwriters craft their songs:

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THE TASTY INGREDIENTS FOR WRITING SONGS

Enhance Creativity through the Eight Elements of Songwriting.
Understanding the key ingredients to songwriting will open up a new world of flavorful recipes for each songwriter. This seminar gives you practical ways to take your ideas and inspiration and craft them into a beautiful and expressive song. Reggie will cover working with music, working with lyrics, and how to combine them effectively.
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USING SOUND TOWARD A SONGWRITING ADVANTAGE

Ensure Expressive Songwriting and Performance through the Four Elements of Sound.
There are four basic elements of sound found in life. Exploring each one will give your songwriting and your performing a powerful boost. Everyone wants to have meaningful and expressive songs. This seminar will show you how to take new songs, as well as already existing songs, and make the music even more vibrant and effective.

The week at Silver Spur proved to be both meaningful and fulfilling.  Over eight teenagers gave their life to Christ for the first time and over 20 made the commitment to walk closer to Christ and grow as Christians.  It was energizing for me to know that most of the teens wanted to worship through music and not just have their ears tickled.  The camp speaker, Ray Spann, was also a musician and ministered with me to accent the week in a wonderful way.  My buds on percussion and vocals added a lot to the worship times.  Thank you for your prayers!

Last week was such a crazy week as we packed, loaded, moved, and unloaded all our stuff from Mt. Hermon to Danville.  It took us three days to get our Mt. Hermon home ready to rent out.  Everything is looking good and we’re wondering why we waited so long to totally fix up our home there.  Now we’re slowly unpacking boxes and getting familiar with the Danville area.  We love it!  Sherri and the boys are so glad to be here.  The people are so friendly in this area and we have already had a meal made for us and people bringing welcome gifts.  It’s great to be a part of Creekside Community Church.

Next week, I’ll be leading worship for Silver Spur’s Teen Camp, Sunday through Saturday, July 20-26 (near Sonora, CA).  A few friends will be joining me (two vocalists and a percussionist) for the week as we seek to draw the teens into a deeper experience of worship through music.  Join us in prayer that the youth who attend will capture a renewed and deeper way to live with a lifestyle of worshiping God.

I’ve just taken a new pastoral position at Creekside Community Church in Alamo (near Danville and Walnut Creek in California) and we’ll be moving at the end of this month.  This is a huge move for us since we’ve lived in Mount Hermon for 14 years.  I’m very excited about the church, my ministry involvement,  and what it means for my family.  We’ll be living only 5 miles from the church which means no more commuting.  I’ll still be working with Heartfelt Music Ministry, but I’ll be more involved with this local church in the East Bay.  It is clearly a “God-send” and already we can tell God is at work to build His Kingdom in a significant way.  Would you pray for me and my family’s transition, move, and ministry with new people?  There never a dull moment when we let God lead the way!

I’ve finally joined the world of web wayfarers in building bonds through blogging.  A big change is this new site, thanks to Mount Hermon’s Web Master Dan Dawson.   I would like to invite more interaction and discussion on all topics posted here regularly by me.  I realize those who are following the journey of Heartfelt Music & Ministry are varied in every way — from an eight year old guitar student to an 89 year old prayer partner; from concert goers to worship pastors; from MySpace maniacs to YouTube teachers; from brand new Christians to those seasoned in faith for many years.  I celebrate the diversity and think it’s wonderful to dialog together about important topics such as faith, music, and worship.  It would be a delight to hear from you and converse on the topics presented.  Thank you for your continued encouragement and support.