Passion & Tenacity 

Autumn is here and the color of the leaves are beautiful! I hope you experience fulfillment and joy during this season. Thank you for your continued engagement with me and Heartfelt Music® Ministry. You help this ministry stay vibrant and productive.

There’s been a lot of things happening with me over the last month. I’m still developing The Complete Guitar Course with 49 lessons; I just added 30 videos of me playing and singing individual songs on YouTube so you can find specific ones for encouragement; I’m performing another Home Concert November 9th with a personal Live Stream just before it; We just had our annual Board of Directors & Officers dinner (What a joy to serve with these folks!); I’m also teaching guitar and bass classes at Valley Christian School and private lessons both online and in person. It’s a full schedule, but I still have plenty of time to be with Sherri and balance family life. I’m thankful to be doing what I’m passionate about.

On our website, there’s a section called Think About It with helpful ideas to spur us on to excellence and motivation. The recent post is a focus on Passion and Tenacity.

Genuine passion is a deep, authentic commitment to something that matters to you, characterized by focused effort, enduring commitment through challenges, and integration into your identity, rather than just a fleeting interest or a pursuit of pleasure. It involves investing significant time and energy, a willingness to make sacrifices for it, and a deep, often unspoken, internal drive.

A tenacious person is someone who is determined, persistent, and does not give up easily when pursuing a goal. They are resilient in the face of obstacles, with a strong work ethic and the resolve to see things through, even when they are difficult or progress is slow.

How about you? What are you passionate and tenacious about? Our website post goes into more detail.

Praying for You

It’s my prayer that you would experience the Lord directing your hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. You can enjoy my song My Prayer for You on my YouTube channel by video or just audio. It’s the last song on my Intimacy Album (check out HearNow.com). Also, if you’re interested in learning the song on guitar, the music notation and guitar tab is available at Gumroad.com. Purchasing the physical album or digital album are also available. No matter what life throws at you, I hope you are encouraged and experience the joy of the Lord!

We are so grateful for your generosity!

We have received $390 through the Amplify the Sound of Hope fundraising opportunity. With this, we were able to purchase a year of MOOZ, which enables us to upgrade training musicians online (MOOZ is like ZOOM for musicians). We’ve already started it with new students and they love it. Mentoring students wonderfully enables us to spread hope. Since part of the funds we need to operate are from donations, we are not able to upgrade our website at this time. If you would like to help out financially with either a one time gift, monthly gift, or yearly gift, visit our Donation Page for more information. Thank you!

My Prayer for You Music Video

We need to have our hearts anchored in a way that gives us undeniable stability through it all. In 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Paul tells us that the two things that give our hearts a strong foundation are “the love of God” and “the steadfastness of Christ.” I was reading though the Bible and came across this verse and thought, “What a wonderful prayer for my family and friends.” Watch my backyard performance of My Prayer for You on my YouTube channel. Sherri has beautifully designed our backyard.

Reggie’s Complete Guitar Course

As I mentioned at the beginning of the summer, I’m creating a world class guitar training course, equipping people young and old with the tools to master guitar playing and dramatically impact contemporary culture for good. These dynamic lessons take guitarists from beginner to advanced. The 49 lessons are “spiral” in that they go in order and build on each other. They work best by taking them in order. Yet, you can start at any level and continue from there. It will take a few more months to complete.

Lesson Tips – Think About It

Take a look at some very helpful tips for students regarding Goals & Objectives, Discipline & Desire, and Practicing & Rehearsing. As you pursue guitar playing and look forward to getting better, it’s important to define goals and objectives. In order to keep your motivation and initiative thriving from lesson to lesson, it is essential to keep a balance between discipline and desire. Thinking about the frequency of your practicing is helpful to improve your skill.

Coming Events

Anticipating Hope

Thank you for taking time to read this Newsletter, celebrate our successes, and consider how you can help us spur on hope through music. Heartfelt Music Ministry has been inspiring bright hopefulness for over 25 years. Lives have been transformed eternally because of the message and music we share in so many ways. This Sunday, we will be kicking off a remarkable fund-raising campaign to enhance Heartfelt Music’s effectiveness in reaching a world swimming in hopelessness. We live in a very discouraging time. So, we are rising up to turn despair to hope and broken faith to confident assurance in Jesus. I make it a habit to regularly memorize Scripture to keep me focused on following Christ and Psalm 71:5 is the verse for this week, “Oh Lord, You alone are my hope.”

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This summer, we’ve already seen hundreds of people encouraged through Heartfelt Music producing the Mount Hermon Summer Concert Series (come see the Katinas this Saturday night for free!). I’ve been leading worship for a small fellowship, here in Mount Hermon, which has been a meaningful and renewing gathering of believers. I’ve started several projects that will have a global impact on our Mission Statement: Leading others toward intimacy with God and excellence in artistry. I took a break from teaching private lessons since December, but I’ll be starting back up in August. Let me know if you are interested. I’ve had a dream for many years to create a dynamic guitar method that will take guitar players from beginning to advanced. I’ve been spending most of my time this summer creating this curriculum. I’ll be continuing at Valley Christian School as head of their Guitar Studies. This new curriculum and the new material in it will also help these guitar classes.

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By the way, Doyle Dykes is coming to Mount Hermon next Saturday, July 19. He is a master guitarist with a shepherds heart. Don’t miss it.

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Hope you have a fantastic summer! Thanks again for your continued prayers and support. We would not be able to do what we do without you.

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Support through Prayer & Giving

On Sunday, the Officers and Board of Heartfelt Music Ministry will be launching our fund-raising project, which has opportunities for you to help enhance our message of hope. You can contribute with confidence knowing your funds are being used for ministry purposes. PayPal Giving Fund will give you tax exemption and not take out any fees. Thank you for your support in prayer and gifts! Learn more at our Donation Page.

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Guitar Playing Method Course

I’m creating a world class guitar training curriculum, equipping people young and old with the tools to master guitar playing and dramatically impact contemporary culture for good. Through 7 Levels and 49 Lessons, guitarists will systematically go from beginning to advances learning songs, fun guitar techniques, colorful chords, music theory, different music styles, highlighted guitarists throughout history, and much more.

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The Katinas in Concert Saturday

The Katinas are a contemporary Christian music group. They are a family of five brothers. The group’s members sang in church as children, and began playing fairs, soon moving up to nationwide slots opening for artists like DC Talk, Amy Grant. These vibrant singers are both positively inspirational and delightfully entertaining. Come this Saturday at Mount Hermon, July 12, at 6:30pm. Here them sing How Great Thou Art.

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Upcoming Events

Music Education & Improving Singing

Earlier this month, I took my Guitar 2 & 3 class from Valley Christian School to Santa Cruz to perform on the street in public (busking). We had so much fun! You can see excerpts by clicking HERE. Music education doesn’t only have to be in a classroom. This year has been so meaningful and fulfilling teaching the guitar students and investing in their lives. One student wrote in my yearbook, “Thank you so much Mr. Coates! This year, I have gained such a fondness for guitar, especially through seeing your deep passion for it. You are by far the most joyful, kind, and encouraging teacher I’ve ever had. This is my first time going to a Christian school and it’s so refreshing having a teacher that visibly loves Jesus so much.”

Since training is a large part of what Heartfelt Music Ministry is all about, this month I’m making available for free a Vocal Workshop training video for the singers on your worship team. There are a lot of tips I’ve included from the seminars I’ve taught at the National Worship Leader Conferences. May these videos inspire skill and confidence as you worship.

Enjoy Listening to Reggie’s Music

You can check out the many ways to enjoy listening to my music at HearNow.com. The eight albums included are:
– Encore
– Heartfelt Worship
– Here & Now
– I Wish You a Mary Christmas
– Intimacy
– Heartfelt Celebration
– Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 1
– Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 2

Vocal Workshop Training Video

This is a vocal training workshop for singers on a worship team. It includes the six points to good vocal production, the five parts of the vocal instrument, the four elements of sound, and tips for increasing your confidence while singing in front of others. I can train your musicians in person as a worship band or as singers on a worship team. For more info, click HERE.

Upcoming Events

Beautiful Spring Backyard

I’ve been working on my backyard this Spring. It’s turning out so beautiful and is a haven to rest and reflect before summer begins. I’m wrapping up teaching at Valley Christian School for the year and finalizing the Mount Hermon Christian Summer Concert Series starting in June. Ministry is thriving, but it always helps to stop and smell the roses.

Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers!

Easter

The Easter season is here when we reflect on and celebrate Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday. I hope this year proves to be very meaningful for you! I’ve recorded what I think is one of the most powerful Easter songs. It’s by Don Francisco called He Is Alive and you can view it on my YouTube channel by clicking HERE. “He’s alive and you’re forgiven! Heaven’s gates are open wide!”

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Worship Leading Insights & Training

Training is a part of what Heartfelt Music Ministry is all about. We have just made public a Worship Training video for your worship team. I cover the Four P’s to help everyone make worshiping together more meaningful: Pray, Prepare, Participate, and Practice. With the worship team from Gilroy Presbyterian Church, they share why they play on a worship team and what they are thinking about while they are leading. We introduce four popular songs and play a full arrangement of them. Another series of videos are called Worship Leading Insights by various experienced worship leaders (see below). May these videos inspire and motivate you to find more meaning as we worship.

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Worship Team Workshop Video

This is a training video for your worship team. I have used this video in my training sessions with various churches and now I’m making it available to you at no charge. It is an inspiration for a worship band to see. I include explanations of how to introduce four popular songs. We at Heartfelt Music Ministry hope this video inspires and motivates you to lead worship effectively and confidently.

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Worship Leading Insight Series

This series on Worship Leading Insights highlights worship leaders from all over the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally sharing their experiences and tips. Check out my YouTube Channel Playlist for more details. Some speakers are Rory Noland, author of The Heart of the Artist; Bob Kauflin, author of Worship Matters; and Tom Kraeuter, author of The Worship Leader’s Handbook.

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Reggie’s March Home Concert

I shared a Home Concert at Mount Hermon last month and it’s now available on my YouTube Channel. The songs included are:

– I’ll Worship with My Life
– Radically Committed
– Go the Distance
– Take a Stand
– Here & Now (Give Me Wings)
– Touch My Heart
– Partly Cloudy [new song]
– Abundant Sunshine
– Jesus Lives in Me

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Upcoming Events

This video is a Home Concert of Reggie Coates sharing nine of his songs created in March of 2025. He shares songs he wrote for Mexicali Outreach with Azusa Pacific University (Radically Committed, Go the Distance, and Take a Stand), one new instrumental called Partly Cloudy, and six songs to uplift you and strengthen your faith in Christ (I’ll Worship with My Life, Give Me Wings, Touch My Heart, Abundant Sunshine, and Jesus Lives in Me). Each song has an introduction from the beautiful Redwood forest of Mount Hermon, California, for your inspiration and enjoyment. It was first viewed on March 16, 2025, but now is available to view any time. This concert is just under 40 minutes long. Visit Reggie’s YouTube channel for more concerts and training resources.

Spiritual Grounding

Spiritual maturity and strength is of utmost importance at a time when there is so much confusion and uncertainty. Many of God’s biblical truths are being twisted and ignored. Growing in biblical understanding and spiritual wisdom is a practical way to get grounded in truth. Valley Christian School (VCS) gives each faculty member an incentive to learn more about biblical and relational truths by requiring us to earn Bible and Educational unit credits. Last month, I watched three video series on The Book of Job by Francis Chan, The Book of Romans by J.D. Greear, and Winning With People by John Maxwell. Each of these were so encouraging and motivational for me. Other avenues I have for personal spiritual growth is daily reading the Bible and creating devotionals for the Conservatory of the Arts department at VCS (see below). Are you taking time to nurture your faith and ground yourself in God’s Word?
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A noteworthy event is happening this Sunday through my YouTube Channel. I’ve been working on an inspirational video which includes a performance at my home of nine significant songs with meaningful introductions to each song filmed at the Mount Hermon creek close to my house. Join me at 5:00pm to watch this new Home Concert Video and share comments with real-time interaction. If you can’t make it Sunday, once it opens at 5:00pm, you can watch it anytime after that. My goal is to enrich your relationship with Jesus and inspire you to live confidently in Him.

Home Concert Sunday, March 16

I am sharing significant songs of mine through a Home Concert Video at Mount Hermon, Sunday, March 16, beginning at 5:00pm through my YouTube channel. One new song is called Partly Cloudy reflecting on how life doesn’t always bring us sunshine.

VCS Encouraging Devotionals

One of the online devotions used to inspire the faculty at Valley Christian School is a short message by Francis Chan on having Jesus as the center of our life. I encourage you to watch it! He explains how a Christian is not just someone who goes to church.

Help Support Heartfelt Music

You can contribute to Heartfelt Music Ministry through Pay Pal Giving Fund with no fees taken out. We are a Non-Profit 501(c)3, which gives you a tax write off. You can give a one-time gift or a monthly reoccurring gift helping us with ongoing ministry. Thank you for your support!

Empowering Youth for Ministry

Heartfelt Music Ministry has been investing in people for over 25 years. We’ve been touching lives through conferences, workshops, concerts, worship leading, private lessons, songbooks, recordings, and more. A recent emphasis has been on mentoring young people through guitar training and outreach classes. I teach Introduction to Guitar and Electric Bass, Guitar 2, and Guitar 3 classes at Valley Christian Schools in their Conservatory of the Arts program. I get to guide these amazing students toward intimacy with God and excellence in their music artistry. I also teach a junior high class called Community Outreach Fellowship, which is a wonderful opportunity for 26 students to go off campus to minister and help other organization. I’ve really enjoyed teaching this year and being able to encourage and influence students on a weekly basis.

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We would love to have you join hands with us in ministry through your prayers and contributions. You can donate to Heartfelt Music Ministry through Pay Pal Giving Fund with no fees taken out. We are a Non-Profit 501(c)3, which gives you a tax write off. Thank you for your support!

Guitar Training Classes

Music and Guitar have been powerful tools to inspire young people to express their passions and faith! They are having so much fun learning worship songs, new chords, creative techniques, how to write songs, and play in front of their peers.

Community Outreach Classes

In the Community Outreach Fellowship class, the students become “the hands and feet of Jesus” by helping package food at Silicon Valley Second Harvest and Martha’s Kitchen in San Jose. They also work with elementary students to teach them computer coding.

Home Concert Sunday, March 16

I am sharing new songs and significant songs of mine through a Home Concert Sunday, March 16, at 5:00pm through my YouTube channel. One new song is called Partly Cloudy and is a reflection on how life doesn’t always bring us sunshine. I’ll add the link in the next newsletter.

Touching More Lives

It is wonderful to begin a new season with both familiarity and freshness. I’ve started my 14th year at Valley Christian School and really look forward to this coming year. The students are eager to learn and are having a blast playing guitar. I take seriously my responsibility and opportunity to influence these young students toward intimacy with God and toward excellence in artistry.
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I will be doing more Home Concerts online this Fall to share new songs and remind us of God’s miraculous work and changeless love. Just a couple of weeks ago, I made a video of my song Seasons. Ever feel overwhelmed with all the rebuilding, reorganizing, reshaping and changes going on? God is not taken by surprise and He will make a way for you. We can really enjoy life as we seek to stay close to the Lord in all we do.
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Thank you for your prayers and continued support. Your loving corroboration in ministry truly gives strength and inspiration to us.

Reggie’s Song, Seasons, on YouTube

Seasons is one of Reggie’s songs written as a prayer reminding us of God’s changeless love through the various seasons of life. Hope it lifts you up today!

Extend Our Reach

By donating to Heartfelt Music Ministry through PayPal Giving Fund, you are opening more opportunities to train and spiritually encourage those we minister to.

Valley Christian School Ministry

I’m teaching junior high and high school at Valley Christian Schools again this year: Guitar, Video, and driving for a Missions Outreach class.

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Ministry & Family

I hope you’re having a great summer and making time to get renewed and refreshed. It’s so important to balance ministry endeavors with family priorities. Navigating through them can be very hard sometimes. I want to balance doing God’s work with others and keeping family relationships strong.
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As far as ministry, the Mount Hermon Concert Series has been inspiring hundreds of people every weekend this summer. Last weekend, we had such a meaningful time with Phillips Craig & Dean. This weekend is Nichole Nordeman and next weekend the series closes with Point of Grace. Tickets are still available, so if you’re in the area we’d love to have you attend! I am leading worship for churches like San Jose Christian Church and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Keeping my creativity flowing, I’m writing a new guitar instrumental called Partly Cloudy. I’m also preparing for my classes to begin again in a few weeks at Valley Christian School.
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Family has been a main focus recently. Some difficult things have happened this summer like my brother, Steve, passing away from a courageous battle with cancer. Also, after 8 1/2 years, we had to put our sweet dog to sleep. Many of you can empathize with these difficult circumstances. On a happier note, our boys, their wives and our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter went to Disneyland and Universal Studios. We had a blast! Also, Sherri and I look forward to celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary this summer. What a wonderful journey with the love of my life!
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I’m so thankful that there are people all over the world opening my newsletter. And shout out to Massachusetts! I notice that there are a number of people opening my eNewsletters in Massachusetts! I’m thrilled and maybe should set up a concert with you! 🙂

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The Heartfelt Music Executive Board and I are so grateful for your continued involvement with Heartfelt Music. You can greatly underscore and support this ministry with a financial gift. PayPal Giving Fund will give you tax exemption and not take out any fees. Your generous donations are such a practical way to help. Thank you!

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Upcoming Events

July 21 (Sunday)
I’ll be leading worship at San Jose Christian Reformed Church. It is located at 5150 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95124, (408) 266-4412. The service is at 10:00am and you’re welcome to join us. https://www.sjcrc.org/
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August 4 (Sunday)
I’ll be leading worship at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. It is located at 121 South White Rd, San Jose CA 95127, (408) 729-7563. The service is at 10:00am and you’re welcome to join us. https://www.gdlcsj.com/

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