Faith & Ministry

It’s my 30th birthday today, I am sitting here at my friend’s house in Ibiza and there is not a cloud in the sky and all that has put me in a very reflective mood.  After trying several times to come up with a nice well thought out subject to share my view on, I am still stuck on finding one single subject to talk about.  It’s not that I can’t think of anything to say, it’s just that each topic seems to open up so many thoughts that I would end up writing a book instead of page or two.  So it got me thinking, how did I end up where I am today.

Ironically, I was planning on writing an article about how our scene lacks self-support and then I became apathetic about the article and the topic in general. That’s when it hit me. I realized I would just be beating a dead horse. We all are (or should be) aware that we don’t support our own artists, DJ’s websites, record labels, etc…

It's often the hole in your heart that drives you.  Some of the best artists were driven to create their greatest works out of their tragedies and some of the best music is made out of heartbreak and yearning for healing.  A person who understands the pain in others, because of what they have been through in life, are often the most qualified to communicate to others in music and in words; sharing the insights they've learned along the way, the truths that kept them here and kept them going each day, that kept them reaching for their highest aspirations and goals, and persisting against obstacles large and small all along the way.  No one is immune to problems and struggles, but those who reach for healing often find they have a voice, and something to say about the problems in the world and in the human soul, as they reach for and find answers in their own lives and in the world around them.

I wrote this article once already. It was 3 pages (unfinished) and I figured you guys and girls wouldn’t want to read every detail of what happened. So I’m just going to talk a little bit about what God did in me, through me and around me during my 10-day stay in Kenya near a place called Shimba Hills. I wanted to have some video and pictures for you, but I haven’t received everyone’s pictures and such. I’ll be posting those on the forums here at TF.com as I get them from the other members of the team.

Spending time and sharing with other people who have the same common bond of music that I do was the best thing to happen to my passion for DJing.  Just about anyone in the electronic music scene can probably relate to a feeling of loneliness in world full of people interested in all other genres but our own.  Especially if you are as passionate about music as I am.  That is why I love spending time throwing shows, or just playing Halo with some of my groove fellowship buddies, because of that common interest in music.  I believe that my Groove Fellowship may very well be the reason that I am still DJing today.

The So Cal Groove Fellowship started in 2001. The church I attend had small groups of every sort. There were men's motocross, book review, coffee club groups, and even a hiking group and paintballers that met. Why not something for us that where we shared a common interest and the love of God. It was birthed from a realization that other DJ's, producers and those in the scene or trying to create a scene were not getting connected. We needed a place where the importance of believers getting together and encouraging each other just as the bible says how iron sharpens iron came to fruition on a monthly basis.

Petra’s massive ministry could be boiled down to one simple little motto: Be focused and consistent. They never strayed from this simple live show script of opening with some fan favorites and new material, followed by praise and worship, followed by talking about World Vision and then presenting the gospel during an encore complete with an alter call. Even after 33 years, God moved at almost every concert they played and lives were changed.

I first shared the desire to go on this trip with the Tastyfresh community on July 23rd.  In order to go I would need to get the time off approved by work, raise $2000 for the trip, and get all the necessary paperwork completed.  On August 17th I took a leap of faith and purchased a plane ticket, with no place to stay and no confirmed spot at the conference.  It was one of the biggest leaps of faith I think I have ever taken.

What God is doing in my life...  sounds a lot like some serious church cliché doesn't it?  If you knew me personally you'd know that cliché church lingo is something that you wont find coming out of my mouth.  I almost cringe when I hear people say the same things that we've been trained to say in church every Sunday morning.  In fact I believe its come to the point where people say, “Ill be praying for you” when they have no intention of doing it at all.  In fact I know it happens because I've done it.

In Junior High, I craved attention, but never got the right kind. I chased after boys who were rebellious and different from the norm. My best friend (I had known since the third grade) and I grew apart. I began running with a ‘rough crowd’. I smoked my first cigarette at the age of 12. The summer I was 12 I had my first kiss with a boy at summer camp. I remember breaking into a church at the age of 13 and running around in it. I had my first drink at the end of my 8th grade year.