What's New at Friend of Jesus?

2019 Changes

So much has been happening in 2019, and we’re already half way through... and I’m finally doing some updates here. In our personal life, we have been experiencing the joys of renovations throughout the whole winter. We’ve been building a suite for my mom, and it’s done with the exception of some finishing details and the exterior, which still needs siding. It has been difficult for mom with all the commotion and endless mess. We are now on the other side of that, and the place is coming together, and mom says ”it’s the nicest room in the house”.

In my music ministry, I have gone through some changes, as I am no longer leading worship at Bancroft Pentecostal, but have moved to Lake St Peter’s Word of Life Outreach. This wasn't an easy decision, but we really believed God was calling us into a new season in a different house of worship. I dragged my feet for several months, all the while knowing deep down He was calling me somewhere else. Funny how our loyalty to 'something or someone' can prevent us from responding to God. Nancy knew, but respected my choice to stay at BPT until I was 'sure'. :)

Anyway, we have been welcomed into the family at WOL with open arms and love. This small rural church in the middle of nowhere has something happening. We have no idea what God plans for this new season, but there is an excitement, anticipation and expectation that Holy Spirit is moving in that place and we can expect the unexpected. The family at this House of Worship have graciously welcomed the changes that came with me; music style, spontaneity, and most of all, Holy Spirit guidance throughout. The leadership has given me great freedom, and I very much appreciate their trust and flexibility. 

Spring Seminars at Glory Studios - Technology in Worship

Glory Studios had six seminars scheduled for the spring of 2019. This is the 5th in the series. All the other workshops and seminars had great attendance, and were a lot of fun for all of us. This one, isn't filled yet, and I'm not convinced it will be. So, whoever does register, will probably receive a little more personal attention due to lack of attendees. I still pray for a sudden influx of registrations though!!!

This Seminar will look at how churches and worship music departments can benefit from technology. The pricing for much of this equipment has come down over the past few years, and might be more affordable than one might think. 

How can your church go paperless? How can we deal with volume levels? How can we set up for several different worship teams? These and many other questions will be addressed.

Destination Church

In the Summer of 2018, I was blessed to be invited to play outside of a downtown church in St. Thomas, ON. This church, which my mother attended was called Destination Church and is very active in the community. They are located in an old bar/strip club on the main street and have a diverse group of people attending. I have always thought highly of Destination and pastor Beth. They asked if I could come down and play outside for a fundraiser they were having to raise enough money for one of their members to get new teeth. God blessed them that day, and not only did they get enough money to buy him new teeth, a dentist that heard about it on the radio came forward and offered to do the proceedure for free. So they had enough money to help someone else get new teeth! God is good!

Anyway, it was a wonderful opportunity to have a place to do my street ministry in a different city. It was a very warm day, and I ended up breaking 5 of my 12 strings on my guitar in one set. Apparently sunshine and vigorous worship is hard on strings. Good thing I had a 12 string and not a 6 string. :) I was blessed with the people we met, and the wonderful events of the day. Praise the Lord!

2018 Highlights

2018 didn't go quite as planned with my street ministry. I heard a joke.. Q: How do you make God laugh?  A: Make a plan

Now, that doesn't mean I've been bored in any way. The Lord has given me several ministries, that are a little closer to home. In March, I was married to my Jesus Freak wife, Nancy. We have been in ministry partnership for a few years now, and we decided that God put us together, first as friends and now as husband and wife. Our beautiful outdoor/winter wedding was celebrated by close friends and family in our backyard.

In July, my 32 year old son, Brandon, answering a call from the Lord, moved here from 6 hours away, and moved in with Nancy and I. The Lord has been radically changing his life, and we are so thankful to be included and part of it. Brandon is serving the Lord daily and serving the church in both Youth Leadership and A/V production.

Throughout the summer months, I had an incredibly artistic construction crew here, building my recording studio. This studio is intended to be used however God chooses. There are no business plans, there are no ideas of income, it's just a creative space where His presence is evident. We do hope to start weekly Bible studies there soon, and it's quite possible it will be a place to have people sleep when visiting or here for respite.

I will be holding some worshops/seminars there for groups of 5 to 10 people, but will continue to teach my individual guitar lessons in the studio I rent at Guitar Nuts Music Shop in Bancroft.  This new studio (once an old garage) has been aptly named "Glory Studios". It's was blessings from God that made this a reality, and we praise Him daily for it!

Then, in October, my mother, Vera had to move in with us and give up her apartment, also 6 hours away. She has been in poor health this past year and the doctors felt she could no longer live alone, so we happily brought her into our home. It has already been wonderful having three generations in one house, and again, I praise the Lord that He sent me Nancy as a partner. 

Musically, I have continued to be one of the Worship Leaders at Bancroft Pentecostal and am happy to be able to lead others into a deep worship to our Lord and Savior. I am also fortunate to have many other talented musicians on both teams. Their talents are highlighted by their hearts for God.

I have been guest worship leader at other places this year as well, and hope to put some pics and blurbs up here soon about them. I have no idea if God will resume my street ministry next summer, however I do get a sense that if He chooses to do so, it might be a little less 'production' and a little more 'intimate'. Nancy and I did go out once this summer with just a couple lawn chairs and my 12 string, and we were blessed to have great conversations and meet new people, that we probably wouldn't have, had I had my full set up. I believe He is prompting me to get more 'acoustic' and intimate in several areas of my worship music and guest leading. I continually feel the nudge for 'less'. There's the current recap! Please keep me us in your prayers! Kev