Amazing Ministry for Fall

The summer wrapped up beautifully after 8 concerts at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. I’ll be the Concert Coordinator again next summer and have an amazing line-up: Sanctus Real (6/15), The King’s Brass (6/22), Fernando Ortega (6/29), Buddy Greene (7/6), Phil Keaggy (7/13), Aaron Shust (7/20), and Point of Grace (7/27). Mark your calendar for these wonderful free concerts!
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We just finished our first quarter at Valley Christian School and it is so fulfilling to train and mentor these students. My Music Technology class is producing a free concert Friday with singer/songwriter Anja Kotar and guitarist Dimitri Morris. You can hear her songs on Apple Music HERE. We just finished our Spiritual Emphasis week where the faculty went to Mount Hermon for a day of spiritual renewal and the student body spent four days with inspiring chapels. Our worship team this year has students and adults playing on the same team, which has really raised the bar. I’m having fun with my four guitar classes. There is even a guitar club during lunch that I am advising.
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My oldest son, Brandon, got married in September to Kristin and went to Whales for their honeymoon. Now both of my boys are married and enjoying their new adventures with their spouses. Sherri and I are now empty-nesters with a 120-pound Bernese Mountain Dog…having fun!
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I’m still the Worship Arts Director with Gilroy Presbyterian Church and President of the Community Group at Mount Hermon. Life is full, but I’m doing what I love. Lots of ministry, lots of relational interconnection, and lots of teaching/training.
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I appreciate your continued prayers and support! You inspires the things I do to have eternal results. God is doing a great work! If you would like to help Heartfelt Music® financially, click HERE.

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Brandon & Kristin Are Married!

Brandon & Kristin had a wonderful wedding on September 20 in Berkeley. I was able to do the officiating and felt so honored to help tie the knot. They went to Whales for their honeymoon and are happily employed in great companies. Brandon is working at Facebook with concept design for 3D art with Oculus. Kristin is working with animation at Lucas Film. Needless to say, I’m very proud of them! Brandon continues to paint and draw on his own time.

Anja Kotar in Concert at VCS

Anja Kotar (professional vocal artist) will be performing with Dimitri Morris (professional guitarist) at Valley Christian High School in the Conservatory Hall this Friday, November 2, at 7:00pm. Both of them are Valley Christian alumni. My Music Technology class is putting on this concert to learn how to produce concerts. All the details can be found by clicking HERE. She will be sharing from her album called Nomad and having a Listening Party at 5:00pm.

I’m Selling My Taylor 815CE

I am selling my Taylor 815CE guitar. It’s been a beautiful one-of-a-kind instrument and is still in mint condition. It has unique inlay on the fretboard and the bridge and has ebony tuning keys. The Florentine cut-a-way is striking and the tone is prestine.  Click the picture above or HERE to watch a video of me playing the guitar on my song Abundant Sunshine. I’m putting it on eBay this weekend with more pictures. I’m selling it for $4,000. Let me know if you’re interested.

Coming Events

Nov 2 (Friday)
Anja Kotar will be doing a free concert with Dimitri Morris this Friday, 7:00pm, at Valley Christian High School in the Conservatory Hall (100 Skyway Drive, San Jose, CA 95111).

Nov 11, 18, 25 (Sundays)
I’ll be leading worship at the main service on Sundays, 10:00am, at  Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. Come worship with us!

Relationships & Worship Matters

The book Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin covers many relevant issues on worship. On the Heartfelt Music website, under the category of Worship Matters book, I summarize the book in four parts. In Part 4, Bob reminds us that worship ministry is always about people. It is very important to keep in mind at all times that people are so important! God is all about relationships. Because of His deep love for us, God sent His Son to die for people, to heal relationships, and draw us all closer to Him. Relationships are messy and there are so many variables which make it hard to have a “cookie cutter” answer in solving problems. “But I know this,” says Bob, “the church doesn’t need leaders who love to lead people in worship but don’t love the people they’re serving.” It’s not just selecting the right songs that pleases God, but God is more interested in how we treat others. Take stock of your relationships and love them like Jesus would.

Phil Keaggy is Coming!

Saturday, June 23, guitar master and concert artist Phil Keaggy will be coming to Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center, which begins the Summer Concert Series. Invite every guitar player you know!

Austin Coates is Getting Married!

Austin, my youngest son, is getting married this month to Lindsey Doran. Sherri and I are so excited for them and are full of joy in the midst of all the preparations. They met at George Fox University in Oregon.

Brandon Coates is Getting Married!

Brandon, my oldest son, is getting married in September to Kristin Campbell. Sherri and I are so blessed to know both Austin and Brandon have found wonderful and beautiful soul-mates. They also met at college, San Jose State University.

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“Carpe Diem” means “seize the day” (or, like ripe fruit, “pluck the day”). I’ve been taking advantage of the time I have each day, filling-out my life with the things that matter to God and to me. This week is Winter Break for Valley Christian Schools and has allowed me a good balance of relaxing, starting new things, and catching up with ministry as well as personal things.

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I’ve started a new instrumental album called Instrumental Guitar Volume 2. I’m learning cool songs by contemporary guitarists such as Andy McKee (Drifting) and Larry Carlton (Smiles and Smiles to Go). Plus, I’m writing new songs with lots of advanced guitar techniques. It’s very fun creating songs and being challenged while learning other artist’s songs.

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I’m keeping in shape physically through daily exercise (like jogging, crunches, push-ups, jumping jacks, and kicking). Keeping in shape mentally through learning French (The Duo Lingo APP for iPhone). Keeping in shape spiritually through daily Bible reading (I just finished reading through the Bible again and today I’m on Genesis 10), listening to audio books (Lead Like Jesus and RC Sproul’s Systematic Theology) which is a good way to use time in the car as I travel, currently memorizing Romans 12:1-5, and lots of prayer.

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My family is doing well. The boys are enjoying majoring in Animation/Illustration at SJSU (check out one of Brandon’s paintings above). We’ve been playing some Halo 4 recently which is a fun bonding time. Sherri continues to take care of us boys and is busy creating center-pieces for Mount Hermon Conference Center’s Women’s Retreat. Earlier this week, we went out to dinner for a “date night” in Santa Cruz.

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Please, continue to pray for balance in my life, protection and health for my family, and God’s favor in all we do. May God enrich your personal life as you stay close to Him in all you do.

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Our family had a wonderful summer doing day trips to places like San Francisco and Carmel.  But, the summer went by way too fast.  We’re already well into the fall and the days of sleeping in to 8:00am every day are long gone.

Brandon and Austin are full-on doing Animation and Illustration at San Jose State University.  The middle picture above was taken from our back yard during a sunset a few weeks ago (this photo is unedited).  I’m so grateful to have a home in Mount Hermon!

Personally, I am thriving.  There are three guys that regularly pray with me and hold me accountable to stay close to Christ and make sure first things are first.  Even though life is very busy, I’m doing what I enjoy and I’m staying disciplined to daily include those things that keep me on track and “sharpen the saw”  (daily Bible reading, daily exercise, eating right, time with family, and reading specific books and magazines).  I’m in the gospel of Luke right now being reminded of Jesus’ power and wisdom.  I just saw Gravity with my boys this weekend and enjoyed time with them.  Sherri and I have been working inside and outside this weekend taking care of things around the house.  Sherri empowers us boys in so many ways.  I have a song on my new album coming out soon called, Sherri, My Love. which sings how thankful I am of her, as one line says, “Through all these years, we’ve had so much fun…,” so true.

Thank you for your prayers and encouraging notes here and there.  Life is not always as smooth as we’d like it.  This last year has been a tremendous challenge for us financially.  But, God is sustaining us.  As I pray for students and teachers at school, my private guitar students, family, Heartfelt Music board members, those I meet at events, and special people God brings to mind, I would love to pray for you as well.  If you need that little extra prayer, let me know.