Heading into the Studio

So its official! I am heading into the studio this summer to record a new project.  I am really excited about this particular project because it will feature a full band for the first time.  There will be more info coming very soon, but make sure that you keep your eyes open for some new music! In the meantime, check out this video I recorded a few weeks ago at Crossroads Community Church in San Jose, CA.  It is a video of me singing a new song that will be on my record called “Your Name”

Arden Christian Church

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I travel full time leading worship and visit a lot of churches.  This past weekend I visited a church that is in the process of transformation as a church.  For the past few decades, Arden Christian Church has been a traditional church in style.  On Easter Sunday the church (with a resounding approval from the people in their congregation, young and old) launched a service with a new look and feel.  This wasn’t an added service, it replaced the previous service.  If you were to ask any of the older folks in the church why they were okay with the change, the common answer is that they hope to draw young families in.

I started thinking about this after the service and conversations that I had with people and I was very encouraged by their desire to be more relevant.  Often times its easy to get stuck in routine, or what is comfortable.  Making a changes that alters your DNA can be scary but rewarding.

I am headed back there next Sunday.  Its not very often that I can say, “I will see you next week!”

Set List:
Forever- Chris Tomlin
Our God Saves- Paul Baloche
Everlasting God- Brenton Brown
It is Well- Philip Bliss
How He Loves Us- John Mark McMillan
Amazing Love- Billy James Foote

Mexico Outreach 2012

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For the past 5 years, I have spent Easter in Mexico leading worship for High Schoolers from the US and Canada that are serving in communities around Mexicali with Mexico Outreach with Azusa Pacific University.  Mexico Outreach has been around for over 40 years and they have been through their share of difficult times.  They had over 2000 students serving this past Easter.  Pray for them as they continue to grow and reach out in several communities in Mexico.

Check out Mexico Outreach on Facebook for pictures and stories from this past Easter trip.

Pure Excitement

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I am very excited to share with you the brand new look to JSMusic.net.  I hope that you will bookmark this site and check back frequently to see new blogs, pictures, and dates that I will be on the road leading worship.

These past few months have been pretty insane, crazy, stressful, rewarding, and life changing.  The crazy thing is that its only April.   There are 3 words that have gotten me through the tough times, “God is faithful.”  No matter what life brings your way, God is there to walk with you and take care of you.  Life lesson of the first 3 months of 2012.

I am gearing up to head out down to Mexico on Friday to lead worship for a camp of High Schoolers with Azusa Pacific University’s Mexcio Outreach.  Please check Facebook or follow me on Twitter to get up to date info on the trip.  I am looking forward to a week of ministry!

The picture above is a recent photo of my daughter Hannah.

 

The Worship Conference NorCal

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The Worship Conference 2012 was on March 17th.  I am really excited about the success of the conference and the growth that has taken place.  There is a need for development in the local church and that is why the conference exists.

We had over 600 people in attendance with 40 breakout sessions and 3 general sessions.  If you didn’t get a chance to come please mark your calendar for March 16, 2013 at William Jessup University.  2012 brings a brand new conference.  We will be launching a 2nd Worship Conference in North County San Diego.  The date is still up in the air.  You will know as soon as we have the date on the calendar.  Feel free to checkout www.theworshipconference.com for up to date information.

One of the highlights for me this year was getting to work with a worship leader and songwriter named Jared Anderson.  Jared has written many songs that are sung today in the church such as “Amazed”, “Rescue”, and “Great I am”.  Jared’s heart for the church and passion for worship was a great closer to the conference this year.

Set List:
I am Free- Jon Egan
Made to Worship- Chris Tomlin
Our God- Chris Tomlin
Glory in the Highest- Chris Tomlin
Did you Feel the Mountains Tremble?- Martin Smith

Hannah Renee

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You may have noticed that I have been “non-existent” the past 5 weeks.  I took time off to be with my family as we welcomed the newest member.  Hannah Renee was born on December 6, 2011 weighing 6lbs 15oz and measuring 20.5 inches.

Kacee and I are very excited as we start 2012 and look to the future of ministry.  We hope to see you at one of the dates that are scheduled.  Make sure you check the Tour Date tab and see if we will be new you.  If you come, make sure to stop and say HI!

The Worship Conference 2012

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What started with a dream of mine many years ago has become a reality over these past few years.  I love creating opportunities for people to succeed and grow.  Here is a blog I wrote that is posted on the conference website:

Do you ever feel alone in your ministry position?  Do you feel like you are inadequate?

As a worship leader and musician myself, I know these thoughts are completely normal. I’ve had them.

The Worship Conference exists to connect you with local leaders that desire to see you grow and contribute to the creative arts ministry at your church.  Whether you play drums, design the slides for projection, or sing on worship team, I want to help you grow in your field and connect you with other people in your field that you can network with outside of the conference. The goal is to keep this conference at an affordable price so that there is no reason for you not to attend. The ticket price this year includes lunch as well as over 40 workshops for you to chose from  Please take a few minutes and look around the website to get a feel for this year’s event. I hope to meet you personally this year at The Worship Conference 2012!

For more information about the conference, visit www.theworshipconference.com.

Southside Community Church

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Leading worship is a huge passion of mine.  When I can combine leading worship and training a church worship team I jump on those opportunities. I had that opportunity at Southside Community Church in Sacramento.  I brought in my band and led worship and then had a Q&A session with their church’s team after the service.  We spent 30 minutes or so after the service to answer questions related to leading worship, rehearsing, and Planning Center.

Set List:

  • Our God- Chris Tomlin
  • Your Love Never Fails- Chris McClarney
  • Hosanna- Brooke Fraser
  • How He Loves- John Mark McMillan

6 kids sponsored with World Vision!!

Woodland Christian Middle School

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This morning I led worship at the Junior High that I went to as a kid.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, I grew up in Woodland and went through Woodland Christian School from 1st-12th grade.  The school had a profound influence in forming me into who I am today.  The faculty and staff their gave me a chance and now I am leading worship full time on the road.

I am excited because I am going back there in a few weeks and  I will be leading worship for the Middle School and High School as well.  Check out more about Woodland Christian at www.woodlandchristian.org

Set List:

  • Your Grace is Enough- Matt Maher
  • Everlasting God- Brenton Brown
  • Our God- Chris Tomlin/ Matt Redman
  • Hosanna (Praise is Rising)- Brenton Brown

Bayside Woodland

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This past Sunday I got to lead worship with my great friend Peter Neumann (www.neumannmusic.com) at Bayside Church in Woodland.  I grew up in Woodland.  Kacee and I moved back in 2010.  We got to be apart of the morning with the Neumanns as they dedicated their little boy Ryan to the Lord.  Kacee and I are turning the corner into parenthood.  It was a moving and emotional moment for me as they dedicated their little boy thinking about my little girl that we will meet in a matter of weeks.

Set List:

  • Today is the Day- Lincoln Brewster
  • Sing Sing Sing- Chris Tomlin
  • Our God- Chris Tomlin/ Matt Redman
  • Take my Life and Let it Be- Frances Havergal
  • Great is Thy Faithfulness- William M. Runyan