Life More Abundantly

In the wake of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, His words echo even today reminding us that He brings life more abundantly, “The thief comes in order to steal, kill, and destroy; but I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). We don’t have to look very far to see how the evil one, the thief, daily works to steal, kill, and destroy. But, thank God, Jesus takes dead things and brings them back to life. He takes wounded people and brings restoration and healing. Not only does he bring abundant life, He brings life more abundantly than anything else! Feel lost? He is the Savior! Feel broken? He brings wholeness! Feel fear and unrest? He is the peace-giver! Feel depressed? He brings a deeper joy!

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Turn to Jesus. Draw close to Him. Let Him put life back into your moment-by-moment experiences. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:4 & 5). Such a great reminder! [CLICK HERE to watch uplifting music videos]

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Thank you for your support both prayerfully and financially. Your involvement is so encouraging and propels us forward toward effective ministry.

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April Ministry

On April 12 & 13, I led worship with a great crew of musicians at Community Presbyterian Church‘s Video Cafe for Palm Sunday. It was a rich time of worship over three Palm Sunday services and fellowship as some of the musicians were friends going back 30 years. Private guitar lessons continue to flourish (a new student begins this week!). Valley Christian School has kept me so busy with classes both current and future which I love. They are adding a Guitar 2 class that I am developing the curriculum for. This week has been spring break and it’s so nice having free time!

July One-Time Guitar Lessons

I’m taking a break this summer from the regularly scheduled lessons, but will be teaching one-time discounted lessons throughout the S.F. Bay Area July 7-13 (Mon-Sun). All the available lessons are found on the Heartfelt Music Smart Events site. Right now, only the lessons in Los Altos and Mount Hermon are listed. The others will be listed soon. Sign up soon to spur you on to greater ability and skill. I will be performing a series of concerts as well that same week. The first one will be at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos, July 7 (Mon), 7:00pm. Hope to see you there!

Download products at Gumroad.com

You can now download 7 of my albums, 1 music book, and a Special Report on Music and Worship in the Santa Clara Valley at Gumroad.com. You can even download the song Flame for FREE, off the new Here & Now album! Gumroad.com products are slightly discounted. My two latest albums are still available on iTunes, CD Baby, Rapsody, Amazon, as well as the Heartfelt Music Product Page. Check them out and may the music encourage you and give you hope!

Coming Events

• May 4 (Sun)  Teaching a workshop called Leading Worship Effectively & Team Building at Santa Clara Alliance Church in San Jose, CA.
• June 1 (Sun)  Leading worship and teaching a guitar clinic at Bayside Church in Woodland, CA.
• June 23-27  (Mon-Fri)  Leading music with band for Vacation Bible School, Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, CA
• July 7  (Mon)  Concert at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos, 7:00pm-8:15pm.
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More events on the Heartfelt Music Calendar

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Lead Like Jesus

The way Jesus led his disciples and influenced others throughout his life is the best example for us in leading today! The principles He demonstrated were powerful and relevant. A month ago, Scott Farmer, the pastor from Community Presbyterian Church, taught on Leading Like Jesus which really captured my attention. I learned Lead Like Jesus is a book by Ken Blanchard which is also available as a CD audiobook, so I picked one up from Amazon.com and just finished it. Rick Warren and Bill Hybels helped host it. The concepts of being a servant leader and using Jesus as our prime example of how to lead has been so encouraging. Look to Jesus as you follow Him and lead others!

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Thank you for continuing to pray for me and Heartfelt Music Ministry! If God leads, join a special generous group of folks who support us financially.

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BASS Conference Reflection

The BASS Church Workers Conference was a huge success. I held three workshops on Friday, Creative Songwriting, Worship Infusion, and Dynamic Guitar in Worship at Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley. On Saturday, I led a special workshop with one of the Valley Christian High School Worship Teams called Worship Band Interactive at First Baptist Church of Castro Valley. We had a great response with a lot of interaction and participation! Click on the picture above or HERE to see our opening song It Is Good.

March Ministry Update

The Santa Cruz lighthouse, pictured here last weekend with beautiful weather, is a superb example of what I want myself and Heartfelt Music to be: A guiding light to all we encounter! Besides The BASS Conference and guitar lessons, there’s been a ton of significant ministry happening at Valley Christian School. We just had the Visual and Performing Arts assembly which highlighted the Conservatory of the Arts there. It represented Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz, Strings Ensemble, Ceramics, Photography, Art, and more. Teaching 3 Worship Teams, the Music Technology class, and the Intro to Guitar and Electric Bass class has been so fulfilling.

Exciting Guitar Lessons

I just added two new guitar students (welcome Kenna in Los Altos and Josiah in Mount Hermon). This makes 27 guitar students. Some have lessons every week, some have lessons every other week, and some have lessons once a month.  Each lesson is tailored to each individual to get them excited about guitar in the timing and schedule they can handle. There are more openings in Los Altos and Mount Hermon if you know someone who wants to learn guitar.

Coming Events

April 12 & 13  Helping lead music and worship with Community Presbyterian Church in Danville for their Video Cafe, Palm Sunday. More events on the Heartfelt Music Calendar

Equipping Others

Most of what Heartfelt Music Ministry does is encourage others to draw near to God (Heb. 12:2), empower them to live life to the full (Jn. 10:10), and equip them for ministry (Eph. 4;12):  Lessons, workshops, worship leading, concerts, motivational speaking…all to encourage, empower, and equip.

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BASS Conference March 7 & 8

The BASS Church Workers Conference is an affordable way to train all volunteer church workers for effective ministry. It will be at Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley with one workshop up the street at First Baptist Church of Castro Valley.  They have workshops and general sessions for all volunteers: greeters, children’s workers, youth workers, pastors, music & worship, etc. I’ll be leading three workshops on Friday, Creative Songwriting (9:00 AM), Worship Infusion (10:45 AM), and Dynamic Guitar in Worship [Intermediate – Advanced] (1:30 AM). On Saturday, I’ll be leading a special workshop with the Valley Christian High School Worship Team called Worship Band Interactive (12:45 PM). This one will be at First Baptist Church so we can use the whole stage. Come by yourself or bring your whole worship team. You will be truly enriched!

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February Ministry Recap

I’ve been leading worship for 4 weekends at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville in their contemporary Video Cafe.  They have a service on Saturday afternoon and two services on Sunday morning. The people are so fun to work with. It is one of those churches where the musicians and technicians are so skillful, it takes no time at all to create outstanding arrangements to bless the Lord and the congregation. I’ll be helping again for Palm Sunday in April.

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I have 25 private students who began a new season for the new year and we’re going strong. I love working with these guitarists and love watching them improve. It challenges me to have students want to learn particular popular or classic songs as well as learn my own songs which can be pretty challenging. I am keeping my own skill level fresh by learning new songs (Drifting by Andy McKee and Smiles and Smiles to Go by Larry Carlton) and writing new songs. I’m on my way to putting together a new instrumental album…Instrumental Guitar Volume 2!

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A Season of Giving!

Christmas is coming and there are reminders everywhere, all over the world!  Jesus is the center of our celebration and relationships are what He’s about.  More than “loving things,” Jesus has demonstrated His deep “love for us” by becoming one of us, giving His very life, and making a way for us to be with Him forever.  This is a season of giving as we recognize and value the relationships God has brought into our lives.  May this be a most meaningful Christmas for you, your family, and your friends.

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As a special gift, we’d like you to enjoy a free MP3 Download of the song “Flame” from the new album Here & Now (CLICK HERE).

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We are holding a one-time opportunity for you to give to Heartfelt Music Ministry called Accelerate the Impact.  We have never done something like this before and will not be doing it again.  Unlike most non-profit ministries who hold yearly giving campaigns, we have not chosen to do that. People have volunteered one-time donations and some give monthly or bi-monthly. This is how we thrive.  The Accelerate the Impact opportunity is a way to help Heartfelt Music Ministry start fresh by paying off the $21,000 debt from the past Christian Guitar and Bass Conferences.  See details below and visit the Indiegogo site for more information.

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My new album, Here & Now, just came out last week!  You can hear excerpts at iTunes, CD Baby, Rapsody, Amazon, and you can order physical CDs at our product page or CD Baby.  I continue to teach about 30 guitar students, lead worship at various churches, and train through workshops.  I’m setting up January events now, so let me know if I can join you or your church in some way.  Wrapping up a semester at Valley Christian School which has been a rewarding ministry experience.  Our Christmas concerts will be all next week, Tuesday through Friday at the California Theatre in San Jose.

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People Matter!

People are what God cares about most (John 3:16).  Even though the schedule seems a bit hectic sometimes, valuing people the way God does makes it all worthwhile. Autumn is here and the pace has really picked up for me.  Waking up at 5:00am is something I may never get used to, but Valley Christian School is a tremendous ministry experience where I daily see God moving.  I have 20 private students in San Jose, Los Altos, and Mount Hermon which I look forward to mentoring each week.  I continue to lead worship at various churches and provide concerts and workshops throughout the Bay Area.  Let me know if you’d like me to come to your church.  For more information, go to the Heartfelt Music website.

My most recent album called Instrumental Guitar Volume 1 is available on iTunes, our product page, as well as other venues (like Rhapsody).  The stories behind the songs are on the Heartfelt Music Blog.

Heartfelt Music Ministry has been carrying a financial burden for a few years now primarily because of the Christian Guitar & Bass Conferences we held for 15 years.  We really can’t do some of the projects and conferences because of this burden and much of the time I spend is donated time.  We have been faithful to pay toward this burden each month and will have it completely paid off in 18 months.  For now we are greatly limited because of it.  The next eNewsletter will include an opportunity for you to help.  Thank you for your prayers!

New Here and Now Album

I’m still progressing on a new album called Here and Now.  Three songs can be viewed on my You Tube Channel (Similar versions that are on the album): Worthy & So Wonderful, You Are My God, and Here and Now. I’m writing a new song called Calm Down which is replacing the song He’s Alive.  The songs are developing very nicely. Six of them are completed, but I need to put the finishing touches on the other four.  I’m not sure when this new album will be released because of current financial limitations. All of the recording has been done on the Roland VS-1680 shown above.

Music Training at VCS

Ministry at Valley Christian Schools is thriving!  In the High School, I’m teaching two worship bands, a music technology course, a beginning guitar and bass course, and private guitar lessons.  In Junior High, I’m leading the worship band and teaching private guitar lessons.  In the Elementary school, I just began an after-school course for beginning guitarists called Guitar For Fun (As you can see in the picture above).  Mentoring and empowering these students to serve God through music is a passion of mine that is so fulfilling.

Music in the Mountains

Last Saturday, I did a concert for the community off of Summit Road in the Los Gatos mountains.  The view was beautiful as we had a BBQ dinner before I sang.  Many of the people had lost their homes in the fire a few years back and still are struggling to get back to normal.  I shared about God’s deep love for them and how I’ve experienced Jesus through a number of tough situations.  It was an encouraging evening as 30 of us were packed into the living room.

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Shine Like the Sun!

The sun is shining here on the coast of Northern California.  I hope you are enjoying your summer and getting time to relax!  I have a couple of weeks left of summer making the best use of my time to balance vacation and exciting projects.  I am preparing to let Jesus shine this fall as I’m working on a new album called Here & Now, a new eBook called Leading Worship Effectively, and a new Guitar and Bass Course for Valley Christian High School. Please pray that God would use these tools for His work and His glory.

Challenging & Relevant Private Lessons

This fall, I’ll be holding private lessons in Los Altos, San Jose, and Mount Hermon.  Now is the time to sign up as we’ll begin August 19th.  Lessons are available on Skype and FaceTime as well.  Each lesson is filled with personal intensive education following your goals and specific interests.  A Lesson Summary Video is recorded at the end of each lesson for you to download (usually within 48 hours) to have audio and visual examples to remember the assignment.  You will receive a Private Assignment Page (which is password protected) for details of each assignment.

Music Training & Concert in Brentwood

On Sunday, August 4, I’ll be leading Leading Worship Effectively & Team Building workshop.  This three hour dynamic workshop for musicians and leaders is designed to develop the skill of the musicians and leaders, enhance the corporate singing of the church, expand understanding of group worship dynamics, motivate a lifestyle of intimate worship, inspire confidence and expression, and build “team” unity with good communication.  Workshop at 3:00pm and Concert with Band at 7:00pm.  All the informaion, registration and cost for each workshop is found by clicking HERE. All these workshops will take place in the main auditorium at Brentwood Bible Fellowship in Brentwood.

New Album, Here & Now

I am working on a new album that has both vocal and guitar on it.  It’s almost completed.  Songs that have not been recorded such as Worthy & So Wonderful (you can check it out on YouTube), Flame, Wings to Fly, You Are My God, and Sherri My Love.  I will also have some songs that have shaped my life such as Make My Life a Prayer, Water Grave, and He Is Alive.  Plus, the album Confidence is discontinued, so I will redo 2 of my songs from that album. You can view two of my song on YouTube.com here:

• Here and Now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jg6UjuvxHc
• You Are My God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kW-Hgnu26Y

Coming Events

August 4  (Sunday)

Leading Worship at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville (Sanctuary). Services are Sunday, 9:00am and 10:45am.

August 4 (Sunday)
Holding the Leading Worship Effectively and Team Building workshop at Brentwood Bible Fellowship in Brentwood (3:00pm-6:00pm): Find more information and registration by clicking HERE.

August 4 (Sunday)
Worship concert with band at 7:00pm at Brentwood Bible Fellowship in Brentwood.

August 18  (Sunday)
Leading Worship at First Baptist Church in Watsonville. Service is Sunday at 9:30am.

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Summer Is Here!

The weather is beautiful and summer is in the air.  Barbeques, beach days, family fun, movies with friends, time to catch up on things, summer is an exciting time we’ve been looking forward to.  I just finished up a year at Valley Christian School which was a tremendous ministry experience.  Leading the Worship Bands for Jr. High & High School, Coordinating the Chapels, and teaching Music Technology and Cadet Band kept me busy.  Now, it’s come to a screeching halt and I have some time to read, relax, record, and do things I’ve put off for some time.  I hope your summer is off to a good start and you get extra time to be refreshed and renewed.  For a personal update on my family, go to the Heartfelt Music Blog.

Check out what’s happening in the columns below which are significant events for June.  I’m working on a new album which I wasn’t sure whether to call Flame or So Wonderful.  I think I’ve settled on Here & Now which is a line in the song Wings to Fly:  “Here and now I need You to live out Your life in me…”  It refers to the new covenant lifestyle where Jesus empowers us to live life to the full as He lives through us.  I will be sharing these songs in concerts throughout the Bay Area this summer.  Let me know if you’d like me to set something up in your area.  I’ll be in Morgan Hill Sunday June 30th and Brentwood Sunday August 4.

The album called Instrumental Guitar Volume 1 is out on iTunes, our product page, as well as other venues (like Rhapsody).  It has a variety of styles with beautiful guitar techniques.  You can listen to excerpts of each song at iTunes.com or CDBaby.com and purchase individual songs if you’d like.  Or you can get the whole album at this link at a discount:  Click this link to purchase & download
Instrumental Guitar Volume 1.  The stories behind the songs are on the Heartfelt Music Blog.

Leading Worship at Redwood Chapel

This Sunday, I’ll be leading worship at Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley.  I was on staff with them for a year ago as the Worship & Arts Director until I took the full-time position at Valley Christian School.  It will be good to be back and see people again and encourage them in Christ.  They are in a four week teaching series on the Holy Spirit.  They are at 19300 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546 if you get a chance to come join me.

Music Training in Los Altos

On Saturday, June 22, I’ll be leading three intensive guitar workshops specifically developed for your skill level.  Each workshop will be 2 hours long.  You will receive the book The New Complete Guitarist and will be able to play “hands-on” for the whole time.  On Saturday, June 29, I’ll be leading four intensive music workshops specifically developed for your interest.  You are welcome to attend all of them.  Each workshop will be 1 and 1/2 hours long. Creative Songwriting, Worship Infusion, Improving Your Singing, and Leading Worship Effectively. For details and more information, registration and cost for each workshop, click HERE. All these workshops will take place in the choir room at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos.

New Album

I am working on a new album that has both vocal and guitar on it.  Songs that have not been recorded yet such as Worthy & So Wonderful (you can check it out on YouTube), Flame, Wings to Fly, You Are My God, and Sherri My Love.  I will also have some songs that have shaped my life such as Make My Life a Prayer, Water Grave, and He Is Alive.  Plus, there are two albums that will no longer be available Here to Worship and Confidence, so I will redo 4 of my songs from those albums.  Pray that the recording, mixing, and mastering process will go as fast as it did for my instrumental album.

Staying at it!

Life seems to be busier and more full than ever whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, work, church, hobbies, recreation, chores, or finances.  It’s easy to feel pulled in so many different directions.  How do we stay focused and not get scattered?  What’s important is that we keep the main things in the forefront of our mind and heart.  Having a Mission Statement for life is a big help.  For me, it is “to lead others toward intimacy with God.”  This puts God and people as the priorities in my life!  It’s not easy to keep priorities straight, but life flows better as we are tenacious, staying at it, daily reviewing and adjusting to be pleasing to God (2 Cor. 5:9).

I continue to give private music lessons in San Jose, Los Altos, and Mount Hermon; teach music and coordinate chapels at Valley Christian School; as well as lead worship with churches throughout the Bay Area. Digital products are available for instant download as well as physical products on our Product Page. Here is a list of digital downloads.

• Book A Special Report on Music & Worship in Churches throughout the Santa Clara County (Check it out)
• 25 song music book of Reggie’s songs called A Compilation of Compositions (Check it out)
• 20 song album called Intimacy (Check it out)
• 20 song album called Heartfelt Celebration (Check it out)

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  Please pray we will follow God’s leading and, in months to come, be found staying at it.

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Upcoming Events

Mar. 8-9 (Fr-Sa) Teaching Workshops at the BASS Convention, Castro Valley
Mar. 10 (Su) Leading Worship with Redwood Chapel, Castro Valley
Mar. 17 (Su), 24 (Palm Su), 30-31 (Easter Sa-Su) Leading Worship with Community Presbyterian Church, Danville
Mar. 23 (Sa) CD Release Concert at Bridges Community Church, Los Altos
Mar. 29 (Good Fr) Leading Worship with Peninsula Bible Church, Willow Glen

Details of these events and other events are at https://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/

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Finished Recording!

This last weekend, I finished recording my first Instrumental album of 10 songs.  It was a a riot trying to do this in record time.  The first time I sat down to record two weeks ago, I broke a nail and was unable to get the consistent sound needed for the new song called Remember.  So, I went to Walmart and bought some fake temporary nails for my first three fingers on the right hand.  It worked great!  However, my students thought it was a little strange.  I didn’t feel too bad knowing Phil Keaggy uses them as well.  Now, I hope to mix and master each song and have the whole package ready by the Album Release Concert March 23rd.

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BASS Convention

I will be teaching three workshops at the Bay Area Sunday School (BASS) Convention March 8 and 9.  This year is their 50th anniversary of training church volunteers to be effective in church ministry.  They have over 200 workshops.  I’ll be teaching two on Friday – Building a Worship Band and Effective Guitar in Worship. Then, one on Saturday called Band Interactive.  I’ll be using the Valley Christian High School Worship Band to assist in demonstrating worship band techniques.  I’ve been involved with them for 10 years and find it is an excellent conference to encourage and inspire volunteers to lead use their gifts for God’s glory.

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Album Release Concert

I would like to invite you to my Album Release Concert at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos.  I will be sharing songs and stories from my new album Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 1.  This album release concert is a celebration of my first instrumental album and my 13th album overall.  There is mostly acoustic guitar with some electric guitar with fun techniques like alternate tunings, use of capos and e-bow, in many different styles (Rock, Irish, Hendrix style, jazz, classical, easy listening). Bring friends and family.  The concert is free!  You can view one of the songs, Freedom’s Challenge at Reggie’s YouTube Channel.

Igniting Faith and Hope

Have you experienced both highs and lows recently?  Famous athletes like Lance Armstrong reveal a character that is so disappointing. Many still are experiencing financial difficulties which is very frustrating and disheartening.  Then there’s the Superbowl which is a great way to spend time with friends and family even if it’s just one day.  We can also count our many blessings where freedom stands out as one of the most precious.  I have experienced both ups and downs over the last couple of months, but my family, friends, Scripture, and God’s Spirit have been so inspiring.  A Bible verse I memorized years ago has been such an encouragement lately, “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:7-9).  We are not alone in our struggles.  The devil is actively trying to discourage us, but let’s be on the alert and stand firm in the strength of Christ.  Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.  May He lift your spirit to new heights this month!  I am praying for you and really appreciate your prayers for me.and the ministry of Heartfelt Music.  Through worship leading at local churches, training lay-leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve others, both musical and Biblical motivational teaching, and sharing my journey and songs by way of concert artistry,  Heartfelt Music continues to ignite in others a strong faith and hope in Jesus.  I’m recording this week and next, looking forward to a new album coming out the end of this month.  Check back at our website blog for details late in the month.

New Song: You Are My God

I just finished a new song which will be on my next vocal album.  It’s called You Are My God as a strong statement that God is alive and deserves to be worshiped forever.  It’s a personal proclamation that through bad times and good times, I will worship God forevermore.  The words are, “When pain comes crashing through and hurt consumes my soul, I lift my eyes to You again.  You are my God and forevermore I will worship You!  When joy comes crashing through and hope consumes my soul, I lift my eyes to You again.”

VCS Chapels

Last week was Spiritual Emphasis Week at Valley Christian Junior High and High School.  We had both Jr. High and High School chapels everyday with a great daily speaker and music from 4 different student worship teams. The speaker was Sarah Hill who is a surfer and youth pastor from Hawaii.  She is Bethany Hamilton’s youth pastor who lost her arm from a shark attack (Soul Surfer). It was a very busy week for me as the High School Chaplain, but a very productive one as well.  To find out more about what’s happening at Valley Christian Schools, click here.

New Albums

I am working on a new guitar instrumental album to be released by the end of February with new songs such as You Drive, Tenacious, and Morning Come Lately, as well as some cover songs such as Carolyn’s Draught, Del’s Bells, and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.  Another album being worked on right now and due to be released in March has a number of songs never recorded before such as Give Me Wings, Worthy & So Wonderful, and Flame, as well as some songs that have shaped Reggie’s life such as Make My Life a Prayer, Water Grave, and He Is Alive.

Coming Events

Feb. 3 & 10    Redwood Chapel, Castro Valley – Worship Leading

Feb. 22-24    Mt. Hermon’s Couples Retreat – Worship Leading

Mar. 8-9    BASS Convention, Castro Valley – Teaching Workshops

Mar. 10    Redwood Chapel, Castro Valley – Worship Leading

Mar. 17 & 24    Community Presbyterian Church, Danville – Worship Leading

Mar. 29 – Good Friday    Penninsula Bible Church, Willow Glen – Worship Leading

Mar. 30 & 31 – Easter   Community Presbyterian Church, Danville – Worship Leading

See all coming events at https://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/

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