September 11, 2007 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States …. [Matt Herzel/ANN]
Adventist musicians are gaining international exposure as an unintended result of appearing on the quarterly Adventist Mission DVDs.
Launched in May of 2006, each DVD features video mission stories from around the world and also includes music videos of mission-themed songs. Musicians worldwide say they are receiving letters, e-mails and text messages of support from viewers and sometimes even requests for sheet music.
After his song “Standing at the Cross” was featured on the debut Adventist Mission DVD, Australian Peter Dixon started receiving messages from South America. A church music director wanted sheet music for the original tune that was becoming popular among her congregation. Dixon said he regularly receives text messages of thanks and encouragement from church members worldwide, usually on Saturday after they've heard a song.
“I am humbled by these messages and e-mails,” Dixon said. “I never expected such a response. I feel undeserving of the attention but also very excited with the knowledge that songs, music, and multimedia can so effectively help spread the Gospel.”
Other featured artists have also received positive feedback. Nicholas Zork, a youth pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, has had similar requests for his featured song “Our Prayer.”
“It's been a blessing to see God use this piece of music for His glory,” Zork said.
Kathlyn Bearce, a teenager from the state of Maryland, USA, was particularly struck by the message of Zork's song that mentions Christians going out and “reaching the world” that Jesus longs to save.
“I just started crying — it's so true,” Bearce said. “I thought, 'This is what the Lord wants us to do.'”
Geneva-based musician Gael Cosendai, whose song “Grace” is used on this year's first quarter DVD, said he tries to describe theological thoughts in tangible ways. After thinking of his childhood retreat in an upstairs attic in his uncle's house in the country, he described grace as a place where someone can go.
“[Grace] is where you can be completely sure you will be welcomed without any judgment, just the way you are,” Cosendai said.
The Adventist Mission DVD is produced by the office of Adventist Mission at the Adventist Church's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
For musicians and others interested in the Adventist Mission DVD, see the Web site www.AdventistMission.org.
Copyright (c) 2007 by Adventist News Network.
