A Season of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! We have reason to have thankful hearts at all times because of Jesus, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).  In addition, this Thanksgiving season inspires us to have an extra sense of gratitude which is the perfect preparation for Christmas right around the corner. May this be a most meaningful Thanksgiving for you, your family, and your friends.

I continue to teach about 20 guitar students, lead worship at various churches, and train through workshops and consulting. 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. My albums and music are available at our product page, You can also download them at iTunes, CD Baby, Rapsody, Amazon and hear excerpts as well.

What I’m thankful for

There are so many things to be thankful for! I’m so thankful for my family who continues to inspire me and bring me joy; my friends both new and old who hold me accountable and spur me on to greater things; my co-workers at Valley Christian who work so hard to teach and equip a new generation of musicians and artists; for neighbors who are there when you need them; for all that God has provided; and for Jesus who continually brings eternal life to make living such an amazing experience! What are you thankful for? Take time to reflect, thanking God for all he has done for us. There may be some pretty difficult situations you’re facing, but God will bring you through as you lean on His love.

A Joyful Inspiration

As a special gift for you, click on the middle picture above and enjoy my latest instrumental called Abundant Sunshine.  May it be a joyful inspiration for you! Looking for gifts for loved ones?  Visit our products page and give a gift certificate, digital music, CD, or music book.  I have two free MP3’s available at https://gumroad.com/reggie. You’ll find my albums available there as well. Thank you for your support in this way!

Be a Vital Part of this Ministry

Any donation would be a great help to propel Heartfelt Music Ministry forward. Your gift is tax-deductible as we are a 501(c)3. Heartfelt Music comes alongside other non-profit organization and many are not doing well financially right now. We want to work with them even if it means we receive less financially. This is where your gifts come in. We can encourage others because of your gifts! Alongside Ministries in Albania, Mexico Outreach through Azusa Pacific University, and many churches that can’t afford an honorarium are examples of how your gifts have helped make our ministry possible. Would you consider making a donation and be a support in this way?

Coming Events

March 6-7 – Reggie will be teaching training workshops at the Bay Area Church Workers Convention (BASS) at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley, CA.

April 10-12 – Reggie will be leading worship at the Men’s Retreat with Tonto Rim Christian Camp in Payson, Arizona.

April 14 – Phil Keaggy Concert at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, CA (sponsored in part by Heartfelt Music Ministry) Details and ticket sales coming in January.

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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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Reflecting on the Fourth of July, we can be thankful to God for freedom!  With less than two months left for summer, it’s good to plan it out and make sure the important things don’t slip by.  The following events are ones you will not want to miss.  Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive in God’s strength to lead others toward intimacy with God.

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Cede and Reggie in Concert This Friday, July 8, at 6:30pm

Cede is holding its second concert since the release of the new CD called New Beginnings.  It will be at Christ Community Church, 1000 S Park Victoria Dr Milpitas, CA 95035, at 6:30pm.  I will open up the concert with a 45 minute set, then the band will be playing hot tunes off the CD and some kickin’ praise songs like Trading My Sorrows and Ain’t Nobody.  I’m playing acoustic guitar with these 8 other skillful musicians.  Listen to the songs and check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.  Come join us Friday, July 8^th at 6:30pm (in the Coffee Shop venue).

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Guitar Camps Begin Saturday, July 9th

I will be holding four one day Guitar Camps this summer in my home, limited to a five participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  They are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  Because they are limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  The curriculum is more intensive  in order to get a lot in, but the camps are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  The camps are held in beautiful Mount Hermon.  They include three hours of instruction, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD, 2011), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• July 9 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 13-Adult)
• July 16 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• July 23 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• August 13 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
• August 20 – Advanced Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
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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 their 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 a 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 Open Door Church Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040, on Sunday, July 10^th, from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

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National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 24, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship for.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  Christian racers are so grateful for 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.

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National Worship Leader Conference

I’ll be teaching some workshops at the National Worship Leader Conference, July 18-21, in Kansas.  Their emphasis this year is Engaging With God.  If any of you would like to go, you can get a 10% discount by using the discount code COATES.  It is a wonderful time for renewal and inspiration with some of the world’s leading artists, teachers and worship leaders (Jack Hayford, Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Tim Hughes, Tommy Walker, Rebecca St. James, to name a few). Go to the National Worship Leader Conference website for more details.

I hope your summer is off to a good start!  Catching some gardening, jogging, piano & bass playing in between ministry has been fun for me (as well as playing guitar).  I mostly enjoy and appreciate my family.  School is out and we get to be a little more spontaneous.  I’m ministering part time at Open Door Church in Mountain View through August which takes up most of my time right now.  Through Heartfelt Music, I’m investing in equipping students through lessons and coaching.  The following are some training events in which you may want to join me.

Online Lessons Available

Strumming and Finger Picking, Level 1.  The first guitar course in the Essential Guitar Worship Series at MusicDojo.com is designed to introduce students to the most common righ t-hand strumming and picking techniques used within contemporary worship music. This course will help you to gain facility with the flat pick and will introduce you to finger picking techniques.  This course is perfect for beginner guitarists who can comfortably play chords, but need to add consistency to their right hand strumming and picking.  This two week course began yesterday, June 13th and is open for enrollment until June 20th.  You can start anytime this week.  It’s $29.95 for 10 lessons.   Click here to find out more.

Guitar Camps this Summer

I will be holding five one day Guitar Camps this summer in my home, limited to a five participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because they are limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  The curriculum is more intensive  in order to get a lot in, but the camps are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  The camps are held in beautiful Mount Hermon.  They include three hours of instruction, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD, 2011), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• June 25 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• July 9 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 13-Adult)
• July 16 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• August 13 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
• August 20 – Advanced Guitar Camp (13-Adult)

Songwriting Camp this Summer

I will be holding a one day Songwriting Camp this summer in my home, 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 four hours of instruction and sharing songs, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (God Songs, by Paul Baloche with Jimmy & Carol Owens), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• August 27 – Songwriting Camp (13-Adult)

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 4 levels (beginning, Intermediate, Experienced, and Advanced); we will have 2 breakout “jam” sessions where guitarists pair off with those in your skill level and share with each other; we will play some worship songs together; a few will perform in front of everyone; we’ll pray together; and discuss resources for guitarists in the Bay Area. It will be a 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 Open Door Church Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040, on Sunday, July 10^th, from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 24, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship for.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

National Worship Leader Conference

I’ll be teaching some workshops at the National Worship Leader Conference, July 18-21, in Kansas.  There emphasis this year is Engaging With God.  If any of you would like to go, you can get a 10% discount by using the discount code COATES.  It is a wonderful time for renewal and inspiration with some of the worlds leading artists, teachers and worship leaders (Jack Hayford, Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Tim Hughes, Tommy Walker, Rebecca St. James, to name a few). Go to the National Worship Leader Conference website for more details.

Would You Consider Contributing?

We are very grateful for your support through prayer, attending events, and purchasing our products.  Some of you have been contributing monthly for years which is an important reason for our success in touching people’s lives.  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 appreciated.  The school guitar courses are out for the summer and so we have a need for special support.  Your tax deductible gifts help us effectively hit our target of leading others toward intimacy with God.

Cede and Reggie in Concert Friday, July 8, at 6:30pm

Cede is holding it’s second concert since the release of our new CD called New Beginnings.  It will be at Christ Community Church, 1000 S Park Victoria Dr Milpitas, CA 95035, at 6:30pm.  I will open up the concert with some worship songs, then the band will be playing hot tunes off the CD and some kickin’ praise songs like Trading My Sorrows and Ain’t Nobody.  I’m playing acoustic guitar with these 8 other phinominal studio musicians.  Listen to the songs and check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest .  Come join us Friday, July 8^th at 6:30pm, at their coffee shop venue.

Reggie 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 PayPal^TM 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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