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In this issue:
There are several events that we want you to know about. First and foremost we want you to know about SOULSTOCK 2005. Soulstock is an outdoor Christian event that happens on the grounds of Athens State University in Athens, Alabama. Soulstock is an annual event that has been around since 1998. Over the years, Soulstock has grown to be one of the largest Christian Music festivals in the area, with over 14,000 people in attendance for the 2004 event. Soulstock is sponsored by area churches, ministries and businesses and is a COMPLETELY FREE event. This years event will feature ONE STAGE and FIVE BANDS. This years event will feature "Big Daddy Weave", "Jeff Deyo", "Brothers Keeper", and "The Apologetix". We are thrilled to have the opportunity to open up Soulstock 2005. We've been working hard to put together a powerful and energetic 45-minutes to open Soulstock. Along with our most popular songs from "Hero", we've been in the writing process for the next CD. We plan to feature two new songs at Soulstock 2005. I pray that all of you that can, would make the trek to Athens, Alabama for this event. Bring your blankets and chairs and plan on spending an afternoon and evening. This is going to be the best Soulstock ever and we would love to see them top the 20,000 in attendance mark. For more information, visit the Soulstock 2005 website. There are several other festivals upcoming in May, June, and July. Many of the details are still in the works and aren't on our calendars. The ones that we can tell you about now are: June 3, 2005 - Pell City, AL - Hometown Block Party - We love this outdoor event. It's great to perform in our hometown. We'll close out the Christian stage later in the evening. The actual times have yet to be announced. We'll update our website as soon as we know the details. June 4, 2005 - Springville, AL - Outdoor Christian Music Festival - This will be the first of what should be many Christian events to come in Springville, AL. We had opportunity to perform at their annual Summer Music festival, called SpringFest back in 2004 which drew over 5000 people. They've asked us to put together a Christian event at the same location. This should be an incredible evening of great Christian music. There are many events that we will be at over the next few months. Many of them are still in the planning stage and we can't announce them in this newsletter. Below is the current schedule for events that have been confirmed:
May 7, 2005 - Athens, AL June 3, 2005
- Pell City, AL June 4, 2005
- Springville, AL June
18, 2005
- Sylacauga, AL June 25, 2005
- Athens, AL August 12, 2005
- Hoover, AL August 13, 2005
- Springville, AL September 3, 2005
- Macon, GA
We ask that you would please offer up prayers for our dear friend, Marc Phillips. Marc befriended us several years ago as we were just getting the Floodgate ministry started. He has spent and enormous amount of time with us in producing our first two CD's. Marc is an incredible Christian man with a very special God-given musical talent. Several months ago, Marc was diagnosed with throat cancer. After many months of treatments, he is on the road to recovery. However, his vocal abilities still have a long way to go. Marc is a very strong Christian. His faith is unwavering and we know that God is using this trial to increase Marc's ministry. Please add Marc to your prayer list. Also, if you can, visit his website and purchase his latest CD, Color Me His to help to offset the financial impact of his sickness.
For those of you who haven't purchased your own copy of the HERO CD yet, or maybe you would like Floodgate music on our PC at work at home, did you know that you can download FREE tracks from CNET's Music download site? Over 10,000 copies of our music has been given away for free from CNET's website, making us the #1 downloaded Christian Rock artist for the past 2 months. It's a great way for us to promote our ministry and get the Gospel out to people around the world. You can download tracks from our first CD, "Are You Ready? and even a couple of tracks from the current "Hero" CD. Try it. Speaking of the "Hero" CD, our CD sales are going very well. Internet sales have gone especially well over the past few months as we've had sales throughout the United States including places like Michigan, Florida, Illinois, California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Virginia, New York, Utah, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Maine. Thank you for your support of our music and ministry. If you would like to purchase your own copy of the HERO CD, please visit the website.
Welcome aboard, Design Productions, LLC. We recently turned over our booking and our concert production to newly founded Design Productions, LLC. Design Productions was founded by our friend, Andy Tolar. Andy has a heart for ministry and an exceptional knowledge and expertise around concert productions, artist management, and lighting design. Design productions is setting out to provide a wide array services such as concert lighting services, artist management, artist booking, concert and event production, as well as lighting consulting. We are thrilled to be the first member of Design Productions' booking roster. Allowing them to coordinate and produce all of our events will allow us to focus more on our ministry content and music and less on the logistics and technical aspects of taking our ministry on the road. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with Design Productions.
New photos have been added to the website. We recently had our first marriage proposal that occurred during a concert. (Oh, and there might just be a video clip of a little mishap that Taz had onstage at a recent event <grin>) More details on that event, plus photos and other news can always be found in our online journal. Visit the website!!!
Scott has a very thought provoking article this month. Don't delete this email without scrolling down and reading it. Thanks again for your support!
The Floodgate Ministry Team
WOW! Spring is here, and it is beautiful! Have I ever told you how much I love this time of the year? I love to play golf (although I am a horrible player), go fishing, go camping, grill out on our patio, play in the yard with my two boys, go out to eat (outdoor seating preferably), go watch a good movie at the theater, and the list goes on for days. This time of year is definitely my favorite, and I love to do all of those things I just mentioned- all of them. I don’t want to miss a single day when the weather is good- I just love to be outdoors. So most of the time I will put the normal household chores on hold until the rain starts so that I can enjoy life. And it’s not just the dusting or mopping that goes on hold either. As a matter of fact, most things will be put to the back burner if the day is nice and I am able. I am sad to admit that many times my spiritual life takes a back seat as well. With so much that could be done in a day something’s got to give. There just isn’t enough time to do it all, and sometimes I will choose golf rather than spend the time I should with God. Sometimes my choices even affect others. Do you find it strange that most Sundays are just gorgeous? On those days it’s hard for me to stay focused and get to choir practice. And when I am absent the entire choir is affected. Not that I am that great of a singer, but in any area of the church where a team of people is required it is essential that all members of that team participate. With the wonderful weather of spring, and all the outdoor activities just waiting to be enjoyed, who could blame a person for playing “hooky” every now and then? I mean, haven’t I earned it? I believe this is a problem that all churches experience this time of year. I can only speak for myself, but I know that sometimes I just loose focus on what is important, and necessary. I get my eyes off of the Creator and place them instead, on the created. God is a wonderful artist, and his creation is definitely evidence of that. God has created this world for our enjoyment and we should take full advantage of that, but not at the expense of his church, not at the expense of his growing kingdom. Family vacations aside, each time we choose not to serve in the area we have committed we do damage to the ministry of our church. That may sound a bit extreme, but think about it. You only have so much time on this earth to live and accomplish what God has called you to do. Can you really afford to waste it? Can the church really afford to struggle and even delay ministry plans or activities because someone is enjoying a day on the lake rather than living up to their commitment? What about that lost person who is visiting your church for the first, and possibly last, time? Could you have said something to them that would have made a difference in their life? What about the friend, or fellow church member, that is having a hard time and could really use an encouraging word that only you can give? Keep in mind that I am not preaching at you from an elevated soap box of perfection. I struggle with this just as many of you do. As a matter of fact, just yesterday (Sunday) I was fighting the desire to just hang out at my in-laws’ place on the river and soak in a beautiful Sunday afternoon. But thankfully, God prevailed in my decision to get my lazy rear end up and go to choir practice. I had an absolute blast with the music we were singing. And later on that evening, I faced the same decision- whether to stay for the evening worship service or go home and grill steaks. Again God prevailed and I stayed. It was the most refreshing worship service that I have been a part of in a long time. More importantly, my oldest son was able to sit next to me and see his dad completely given over to God in true worship. That is something that can never be matched by a golf shot or a juicy steak. The bottom line is that it is only human to desire the pleasures God’s creation can provide. But God expects more from us in our decisions to serve Him. And we can make these right decisions because of the power of the Holy Spirit living and working in us. And so far I have never regretted going to church and fulfilling my commitments. God has always rewarded my obedience. Stay focused and committed. You are more important to your church than you will ever realize! (I Cor. 15:58) Until next time.... Comments for Scott? Post them on our discussion board.
Special thanks to the following radio stations for their support of our ministry: Huntington, WV - Joy Radio 1420 AM WTCR Pensacola, FL - Praise 95.7 FM WGCX Valdosta, GA - THE HOOK 95.3 FM Internet Broadcasts:
We've sponsor a child through Compassion International. As God continues to bless our ministry, we'll continue to help feed and clothe needy children through Compassion's program. Would you consider adopting a child as well?
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Copyright 2005,
Offbeat Ministries Inc. |
