I'm sorry that I've been inactive from blogging for so long. But I am excited that I've finished one of two goals I've placed on myself before the summer. I would like to use our Georgia Music & Arts site as a resource to all those involved in Music Ministry.
One aspect of this ministry that I am passionate about is Contemporary Worship. This is an area that the Salvation Army is just starting to catch up with and grab hold of. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, added Christian lyrics to bar tunes as a means to reach the unsaved of his day. That is exactly what Praise and Worship is about! We take popular styles of music and add a Christian Message. Young people and young adults are drawn to this music, and after a while, the words behind the music are etched in their minds.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am an avid brass band supporter, and member of both my Corps Band and the Southern Territorial Band. But I feel we need to embrace both our heritage, and this new style so that we leave no one behind!
Anyway, I'm not going to get on a "soap box" about the Spiritual Effects of music, or an argument for or against either genre. I just wanted to inform those interested about a new Praise Band Curriculum. Marty Mikles, Territorial Worship and Music Evangelism Specialist, and I were responsible for leading a session at the Territorial Youth Workers Conference this past weekend in Nashville. Our session was about Praise and Worship Curriculum for Summer Conservatories. I've posted this curriculum outline on MyChurch.org, and you can get to it from the link above.
This curriculum is very general and many aspects of it can be used for your weekly Praise Band Rehearsals. Please check it out and give us feedback, as we develop the Territorial Curriculum.
If you were not in Sharptop Cove on Saturday, then you missed a full afternoon of praise & dance that was absolutely fabulous!
The Georgia Divisional Youth Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Daniel Meeks, kicked off the concert with an absolutely joyful number. Let's listen to them!
"Daniel" by the Georgia Youth Band
Wasn't that awesome? What a band!
Following the Georia Youth Band was the Spiritual Dance Group under the leadership of Maria Graham McIntyre. Watch and worship with us!
The Atlanta Hispanic Corps came on the stage with "Holy Fire!"
Moving from dramatic dance, the Divisional Youth Chorus, under the leadership of Bandmaster Daniel Meeks, sang "We Crown You with Praise."
Following that number, they sang "In the Sanctuary" featuring the Divisional Gospel Band.
Following that wonderful time of singing, there was more praise-dancin' from the Atlanta Peachrest Corps, "Happy Day."
Following them, our very own, Marty Mikles, got up and shared his wonderful talent for music and worship. If you want more information about Marty Mikes or his music or his t-shirts :), you can find it here.
After a wonderful time of praise & worship, we were once again blessed by the ministry of the Jonesboro Corps sharing "Love Lost."
The SOS Squad took us home with two numbers, "Dey Know" and "I Can't Wait"
4/5/2008, 8:30 am, Young Life CampJasper, Georgia,
Saturday AM-Awards Breakfast
Saturday morning at Youth Councils 2008 in the Georgia Division started out "without coffee", but with a lot of energy and praise. First on the program was the Timbrel Brigade from the Cartersville, GA Corps.
Next on the program was the Divisional Youth Praise Band under the direction of Bandmaster Matthew Broome.
The Divisional Youth Praise Band led us into a wonderful time of praise. They were followed by Peachstate Brass also under the leadership of Bandmaster Matthew Broome.
Following a scripture reading from Lt. Colonel Marian Faulkner, we had some awards to be presented to Youth and Leaders of the Georgia Division.
Excellence in Youth Programming
Red Award Atlanta Jonesboro
Blue Atlanta Marietta Atlanta Temple Augusta Macon
Gold Atlanta Lawrenceville Atlanta Peachcrest
Fastest Growing Sunday School
Numerical Increase Third Place: Atlanta Lawrenceville Second Place: Macon First Place: Atlanta International
Percentage Increase Third Place: Atlanta International Second Place: Marietta First Place: Gainesville
Sunday School Teacher of the Year Runner-up: Latonja White (Albany) Winner: Hazel Lord (Cartersville)
In the middle of the awards was a performance by the Atlanta Peachcrest Stepteam.
After the stepteam, there were more award presentations.
Divisional Commander's Corps Cadet Awards
Division A Second Place: Rome First Place: Thomasville
Division B Second Place: Macon First Place: Augusta
Division C Second Place: Atlanta Lawrenceville First Place: Atlanta Peachcrest
Outstanding Youth Leaders
Kellie Cantrell (Cartersville) Sara Valdes (Atlanta Hispanic) Maria Graham McIntyre (Thomasville) Christina Simpkins (Augusta) Army Watson (Atlanta Lawrenceville)
Following the awards' presentation, we had a performance from the Divisional Youth Timbrels.
Then, the Georgia Divisional Gospel Arts group.
After those wonderful performances, it was announced that our very own Joshua Hinson would be leading on of the Summer Service Corps Teams. You can fins more information about the Summer Service Corps here.
Following the Summer Service Corps presentations, there was a performance from the Jonesboro Citadel Corps.
This was followed by a devotional from Lt. Colonel Donald Faulkner and a benediction from Joshua Hinson.
For more information on the musical forces of the Georgia Division, click here.
4/4/2008, 8:00 pm, Young Life CampJasper, Georgia,
Friday Night Program
The Opening Night meeting will be high energy and fun.The theme for the weekend will be introduced and the Keynote Address will be given by Major Igleheart.Our desired outcome will be that the young people will understand the theme and that it will leave them hungry for more.
Friday Night started out with a barrage of funny videos and high-energy music. Young people from all over Georgia flocked into the "Wheelhouse" at Sharptop Cove to have a good time and worship the Lord.
The Divisional Staff shared a crazy skit about "His Space", including a daredevil entrance by our very own Matt Broome.
Major Janice Riefer opened the meeting in prayer and introduced Agape.
Agape came and brought the house and the beat down. Between dancin' and shoutin', Dave Scherer shared with the Youth in the Georgia Division about what agape means. "A - African, Asian, Latin, Indian, and other Americans"
I agape you, even when you act like a fool. It's unconditional love. AGAPE LOVE!
After the hip-hop adventures, there was an awesome video presentation from Lawrenceville, GA, the "MySpace Invaders."
Majors Kelly & Donna Igleheart shared a great keynote address. They challenged the youth from Georgia about what they have on their MySpace page and their MySpace life. Who are you online? They talked about pornography, homosexuality, our lost generation, and many other things.
The Iglehearts were followed by a dramatic presentation from the Atlanta Temple Corps.
The evening would not have been complete without some spotlighting of some of our wonderful Georgia youth. Award winners tonight were Ericka Hadley, Seryeung Lee, TJ Farrell, & Latasha Jenkins.
Transmission closed the evening in worship followed by a benediction by Cadet Danielle Cunningham.
Like many others of you, I grew up in The Salvation Army. I knew at an early age how to take up offering and how many napkins came in a pack from Hallmark. When I was younger, my parents were officers. They had some small appointments and some large appointments. Each place had its own peculiarities and quirks. But, they were all filled with wonderful people.
As I got older, I began to get involved in Divisional groups. God has given me many gifts in the area of music and I enjoyed it. At very young ages, I was playing better than others who were much older than I. I enjoyed a lot of success that was neither deserved or earned. I was gifted and that was all that mattered. Who I was in the Territory and in the Division was all that mattered to me. Like most groups now, to be in these Divisional groups, you had to participate in your local Corps groups. Participate is such a subjective word. For me a lot of times, it meant tolerate. I tolerated the local Corps groups, so I could be in the Divisional ones. Now don't get me wrong! I gave a hundred percent and tried my level best. But, my focus was not where it needed to be.
Becuase my parents were often in smaller appointments, I thought that meant that they were not as good as other Corps. I learned a valuable lesson! During my later teen years, I attended two very different Corps. Until I was 15, we were in Key West, FL. It was a smaller Corps. The Corps band was my family plus two other people. We were a small group but we did our best. I played in school, but my first love was the Divisional Youth Band of the Florida Division, calld "Sonshine Brass." I was allowed in that group at 12 which was very young in those days. I remember going to my first Youth Councils and not being old enough to be there. The DYS said because I was in the band, I could be there. I loved that group and we played some great stuff. The band took me to Ecuador, Canada, Jamaica, and all over Florida, playing at Sea World, Disney, etc. I came alive in that group. I could not wait for the next rehearsal and we were good. It was also at this same time that Florida decided to send some kids from tha division to the Lyman Kimball Conservatory in Georgia. In those days, there was no conservatory in Florida. We were supposed to go and help design the new conservatory program in Florida. This was my first trip to Grandview, and the first time I met a young euphonium player named Daniel Meeks (believe it or not, he was even shorter) and an absolutely fascinating girl who would later become Captain Kim Turner Grimes of the CFOT! I enjoyed my time in Georgia and even got better. I was able to work with excellent musicians and we even played "Light Walk" in manuscript with Barry Gott (the composer) leading from the drumset. I received many more awards at that Conservatory and was told how good I was. You know how much of that I took home....nothing! Oh, I was a better musician, but not a better Christian musician.
After some upheavals in my own life, we moved to Orlando, FL. The band at that corps was much larger and much better. They even had Songsters and a Contemporary group. These were things that we never had in other Corps. But, it was still not as important as TMI, Conservatory, or Soshine Brass in my book. It was at Orlando I met a wonderful pianist named Karen Doss who played the first piece I ever wrote. I often look back and wish I could have made mroe with the experiences God gave to me so freely.
Now, my point! Almost all of the most wonderful, life-changing experiences, musically and spiritually, happened at the Corps. Playing at Youth Councils and going on trips were great, but being "in service" every Sunday, playing God's music for God's people, was going to become my life's work. I know I am the only Salvationist in the whole world who has ever acted like this! I am sure I am the only one who neglected his duties to the Corps, but were first in line for the Divisional ones. So, being the only one, I thought I should confess and beg your forgiveness.
4:2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.
I am often caught by the phrase "in season and out of season." If you can "preach the word" with your instrument, then is it fair to say that no matter what the situation, large Corps vs. small Corps, local band practice vs. Youth Band at Youth Councils, playing at kettles vs. playing in a foreign country, we should be prepared, be urgent, to share God's word, His love with everyone.
