Jam Session?

What happened to the Wednesday night jam session? It's a question I've been getting a lot lately. So let's take a look at its short life. Muzzle Guitars owner and I were talking and worked on the idea together. No sales. Free coffee. People could bring their instruments or use the stores for free. Fellowship, praise and worship. A different idea to reach out to the music community, who largely don't feel welcome in a log of churches. A way to mix the music and church community while spreading the gospel. We were creating a new house of worship for the church to reach out.

It had a lukewarm start and started to build. Really, it was surprising to see who would come in. Who would stay. Then it tapered off. The feedback wasn't because of the service. It was because it was the end of the school year. People were tied up going to graduations, graduation parties, going out of town to help their kids move back home from college. There were some from the start that would infrequently come out because they were attending services or bible studies at their own places of worship. So the decision was made to put things on hold for a couple weeks, and then start back up in the summer. Everything was on track to start back up. 

Then an unexpected notification was given. Sadly, Muzzle Guitars were closing their doors for good. So, at this time, we no longer have the facility to continue that service. Nor do we have the equipment to cater to so many people. Prayerfully, one day that will change, and we'll at least have the space to accommodate musicians bringing their own equipment and getting back to the fellowship. For now though, I thank Eddie, Misael, and the Muzzle Crew for their friendship, support, and love. I ask that we all pray for them as they move into a new chapter in their lives. 

Keep making that joyful noise for the Lord.

YouTube Official

Well, for some time I'd been putting thout into adding the podcast to YouTube. So many choices were there as to how to do it best. Take the current ones that are all posted, and load them with a static picture? Re-visit all of them and re-do them all with video? Just start fresh with the current episode and drive on from there?

A prayer needing an answer. Really, it's just another way to reach people that I wouldn't be able to otherwise. I'm always looking to better be able to do such. Last week I logged into the service I use to post and distribute the podcast, and to my suprise, without notice there's a new distribution button! To my surprise, it's the answer! A few clicks to link it to the ministry YouTube page. Allowing certain permissions. Then lo and behold every episode was individually able to be distributed not only to YouTube, but also YouTube Music! Exciting times! 

It took the entire week to get every episode up, but they're all there now! Each using the episode picture it was released with as a static picture with the full audio! Once video get's to a point that's actually nice to see, we'll start recording video episodes to post there instead. Perhaps even look at doing some live broadcasts. So many options! 

We're growing. Grow with us! If you don't already listen on a podcast streaming service, head over to YouTube and check it out! Just search up "Healing Scars with Pastor Burton" and it'll show up! Don't forget to give any episodes a like as it helps the algorithym to get us out there. And of course, subscribe to it and share your favorite episodes! 

A name change?

Today's post is a quick one. I was recently asked why the ministry changed its name a while back. The answer is actually pretty simple. So, it wouldn't get lost in the forest for all the other trees. You see, the previous name was great when the ministry started. We're in a desert and a very high elevation. A mile up and higher in some areas. However, as the years went on, I noticed that other churches and ministries had were also using "High Desert" more and more. As a matter of fact, if you did a search online, you'd find them littered around the country. Not just places of worship, but various stores as well. Change was needed. 

We needed something new, and it needed to reflect our values. Something I've always preached is that we all need to be the light in other people's darkness. To reflect God for those who are hurting. I've said it in interviews, training people, and preached I don't know how many times on it. The choice became clear, and the Lord presented us with a new name. High Desert Ministries became Be the Light Sanctuary. With that change, a new chapter in our ministry's life began.