Kyle Jensen, Director of Music Ministries
As a church music director, my life can be separated into before Easter and after Easter. Often, the “after Easter” gets forgotten until the “before Easter” is a fond, passing memory. So when I sat down to write this article I thought: It’s ok! I’ll just write reflections on In Remembrance and the Easter Season and everything will be fine! Then Pastor Wes told me I wasn’t allowed to do that—”Focus on the future and what’s next!” he said—so now you’re going to get something new!
This Easter actually marked the 3rd anniversary of my leadership of the Music Ministry at PPMCC. What a crazy three years it has been! As I’ve reported in past articles my theology and spirituality has changed drastically. In many ways, I’ve grown up here, and hopefully become a better leader, a better teacher, and a better friend. Aside from my personal growth, this church has experienced a growing vibrancy and strength in every aspect—and in some special ways in the Music Ministry.
The As We Are (AWA) Praise Band may not have grown much in size, but it has in strength! I am honored every week to be working along such talented members of our church! The folks you see leading you in worship every Sunday are so passionate about the music and about sharing our message of God’s inclusive love and grace. Over the past three years they have bonded (or perhaps I should say “connected”) and become an awesome team! Now that we’re having our annual opening for new members of the praise band, it’s a great time to come and see what we’re all about and become a part of this little family inside the family of PPMCC.
The Appassionato Voices Choir…WOW! The growth experienced by this group has been tremendous since its inception in October of 2010. They are singing more varied and more complicated music as they continue to learn and grow musically. Plus, BIG changes are coming to our choir program that I am very excited about (though not quite ready to announce) so stay tuned and start thinking about joining us! We love seeing new faces who enjoy singing!
So much has happened in the last three years that I can’t wait to see what lies ahead! The three elements of our music ministry are all leading boldly and powerfully: our choir, our praise team, and our theatre outreach program. So today, take a moment to thank someone in the Music Ministry for all the time they volunteer to our church to make our worship powerful.
Every day we are helping this church live into its vision, and each of us uses the gifts God has given us to do that. I am honored to be the Director of Music, given the responsibility to serve each of you by offering my gifts and talents, and I am truly grateful for all the ways that each of you minister to me with your love and Christ-likeness. Thank God for our church family!