Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

The Music Ministry Coach created by Ron Cross is a great resource and vocal training service for anyone who feels called to music ministry and needs guidance in knowing how to grow vocally and spiritually. The website features great articles that touch on a variety of topics in a candid and relatable way, like “Talent vs. Skill vs. Anointing; Does God really care?” and “What makes a good singer? 2 things you should work on”.

Ron Cross, The Music Ministry Coach, has been a trained, certified voice instructor and vocal coach since 2005. He has dedicated most of his life; over 30 years to serving in the music ministry in many roles.

Below Ron talks about the one thing every great singer (or any other artist) avoids…

Ron works with Christian and Gospel artists, soloists, groups, Praise Team members and Choir members who are struggling with common physical and mental limitations that keep them from answering God’s call to take their music ministry to the next level. Through specialized training clients realize their desires for greater vocal abilitiy and more confidence so so they can be a more effective witness in their ministry.

Ron also works with beginners and younger people who have a passion for singing, and remarkably gives them courage to sing even when others told them it may not be for them. He recently posted about this inspiring story of how he is helping Natalie, one of his 16-year-old students who dreams of being a singer, but who other instructors labeled and set aside as “tone deaf,” how to better control her voice.

Ron says of this story: “No matter where you are in life or what you’re trying to do, there is a message in this video for you. It’s one that goes far beyond singing and touches the heart of everyone who has seen it so far. I urge you to watch it and share it with someone else. Especially if you know someone who has similar challenges. Can anyone learn to sing? If you thought the answer was no, you’re about to have your whole perspective changed.”

Watch and be moved as 16-year-old Natalie who was labeled “tone deaf” learns how to sing on pitch:

For more resources and to learn about Ron’s services visit The-Music-Ministry-Coach.com. Also become a part of the Facebook page where you can get even more inspiration, interact with Ron and the community of hundreds of other singers and musicians, watch vocal training videos and possibly win free 30 minute on-line coaching sessions for being the Fan Of The Week.

More About The Music Ministry Coach

Have you been praying about your singing and your music ministry?

 

Do you have a burning desire to:

• Overcome physical limitations that hinder you from Giving God your best?

Nothing is worse than being up singing to the glory of God, the Holy Spirit is moving, people are being blessed..and slowly you start to feel your voice going. It’s a terrible feeling to end a song before you feel God was ready for you to. Even worse is when someone calls you to come and minister and you have to decline because you’re too hoarse to sing. Past clients like you understood that training would give them the skills and abilities to overcome those hindrances so they could effectively minister anywhere and any time God opens the door.

• Gain more confidence so you can stop operating in fear about your gift?

Probably the single biggest deterrent keeping people from moving to a higher level of music ministry; even when they’re certain God is calling them to step up; is the lack of confidence in your own ability to do it. You may feel like you lack the abilities or skill to step forward and walk into that next realm of ministry, and nothing anyone can say can convince you otherwise. For many of my past clients, vocal training has been the answer. Just like your salvation, confidence comes in what you know that you know. Vocal training has been the key for many people.

• Be more EFFECTIVE and to stop feeling like you’re in self when you’re up ministering?

That’s the bottom line, isn’t it? It’s the reason for everything we do. It’s the reason for all the other reasons. Let me be honest with you for a moment. I’ve been a singer all my life. And I can tell you there have been very few times I’ve walked off that stage feeling like I was completely out of self the entire time I ministered. For most of us, even when everything is going great and the spirit is high, there is some small part of us deep inside that is always worrying about our voice. Will it hold out? Will I be able to hit that high note coming up? Will I crack? Am I screaming? Am I on pitch? Mental distractions keep us from flowing effectively when we’re going forth in ministry.

Here’s another mix of love songs for you to enjoy – from romantic love to the love between God and His people…
(Click here for Dream in Soul’s Love Mixtape Part 1)

Dancing In The Mine Fields – Andrew Peterson

God Gave Me You (Acoustic) – Dave Barnes

When I Say I Do – Matthew West

Love is Waiting – Brooke Fraser

I Love You – Lecrae

Beloved – Tenth Avenue North

Worth the Wait – Jordin Sparks

Continue Reading »

Here’s another way you can give hope this Christmas, to help nurture girls who may not always know the dreams God has for them…

Help Stellar & Dove Award-Nominated Music Artist Melinda Watts Give Girls the Chance to Shine and Dream

In partnership with EEW Magazine, Melinda Watts, Founder of the Dream Girlz Gathering Foundation, is launching a musical fundraising effort with all proceeds benefiting girls in foster care and underserved communities.

All the beauty of the Christmas season is made even more beautiful when, in the spirit of love, leaders use their platforms to give back to those less fortunate. Stellar and Dove Award-nominated gospel recording star and winner of Gospel Music Channel’s Gospel Dream talent search, Melinda Watts, is giving back in a big way.

On the heels of a successful European musical tour, Watts’ Dream Girlz Gathering Foundation, in partnership with EEW Magazine, the nation’s leading web publication for Christian women of color, is releasing a brand new Christmas charity single, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, to benefit at-risk tween and teen girls, ages 8-18, particularly girls in foster care.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of the song, now available for download on iTunes, will be seeded back into the Dream Girlz Gathering Foundation that also partners with the United Nations (UN) “Girl Up” Foundation (http://www.GirlUp.org) to equip girls to be the next generation of leaders.

Details on how you can donate and download Melinda Watts’ new Christmas charity single, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas are available at http://www.eewmagazine.com/dreamgirlzgathering. You can also see touching photos from the Dream Girlz Gathering G.L.A.M. Camp as you listen to the single below, it is a soothingly and beautifully woven rendition for your Christmas music collection:

It’s often in the darkest moments in life where some of the deepest truths are revealed to us. Sojourn Music’s sound is raw, organic and emotional and their messages are inspired by the realities of life and classic hymns from Isaac Watts. Throughout their journey they have not been afraid to delve into the dark places of faith, and I love how they meld modern musical arrangements with the powerful poetic language of years ago.

Since launching in 2000, Sojourn Music has recorded 7 albums of original music, including “Before the Throne”, an album of songs that work through the movements of the liturgy, and “Over the Grave”, an album of re-written and re-imagined hymns by Isaac Watts. “The Water and the Blood” is their latest release, a dark Americana album recorded live in the studio and released in mid-2011.

Watch a preview for “The Water and the Blood” below to hear the story behind Sojourn Music:

Sojourn music began with a rag-tag group of musicians from a variety of backgrounds. The Bible talks about how the church should be one body with many parts, and this is evident in Sojourn music. Musicians with backgrounds in jazz, country, and pop come together with musicians from indie and punk rock backgrounds, seeking to serve the Church with a sense of unity and beauty.

“One way in which Sojourn is different is that we aren’t just a “band” of 4-6 people. We’re a community of songwriters, musicians and vocalists, all belonging to Sojourn Community Church of Louisville. We are a big family – over 50 people have contributed to the Sojourn Music songs and albums.” – Sojourn Music, via their Facebook Page, where you can also download free music.

Visit Sojourn Records at their website to find out more about their music: http://www.sojournmusic.com

Watch the video for Sojourn Record’s song “Death Has Lost Its Sting” below:

“If you don’t get a miracle become one…” – Nick Vujicic

If you haven’t been inspired by Nick Vujicic yet (he was featured in a previous message pick on Dream in Soul), be prepared to be encouraged! Nick is an amazing man who shows that with faith and relying on God’s strength we can overcome dark and difficult circumstances that come in life. Born without arms or legs, Nick battled depression and suicide attempts growing up to face Life Without Limbs and find his true purpose and a life without limits- glorifying his Creator.

Now Nick travels across the world as a speaker and author, spreading the Good News and his story of triumph and everyday renewal of God’s mercy. Nick’s also been featured in a documentary of his life called “The Measure of a Man” and the creative short film that will become a feature length film, “The Butterfly Circus.” Now adding music artist to his inspirational repertoire, Nick recently launched a song called “Something More” to spread his message of hope, watch the video above (congrats to Nick who also recently got engaged!:). Visit his site http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com for updates on his ministry and projects, and download the song “Something More” on iTunes here.

The Something More Campaign

In the fall of 2009, Nick Vujicic and Tyrone Wells discussed the possibility of working on a project together, unaware that their bond had been established long before the meeting ever took place. Tyrone had already written the captivating “More” lyrics. Nick had always dreamed of being part of music with meaning. Today, the song connects both men in an incredible way.

“More” mirrors Nick’s personal testimony, depicts Tyrone’s heartfelt plea, and conveys a strong message of hope. Nick Vujicic and Tyrone Wells have united, and launched THE SOMETHING MORE CAMPAIGN, combining the arts of music and film with the power of inspiration. With the music video and the documentary series in the final stages of post-production, THE SOMETHING MORE CAMPAIGN is now ready to debut.

Click here to learn more about the The Something More Campaign

Watch the video below to find out more about Nick’s story:

About Nick Vujicic

Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend ; no hands to hold the ones you love; no fingers to experience touch ; no way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?

Meet Nick Vujicic, pronounced ‘Vooy-cheech’. Born in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic came into the world with neither arms nor legs. Imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first-born brand new baby boy for the first time, only to find he was what the world would consider imperfect and abnormal.