From a Pastor, Teacher, and Dad in Duluth MN
Fri., Oct. 5. 2018 10:29am EDT
Here's a great email we received this week from a pastor, teacher, and dad in Duluth MN:God bless you guys! Wish I had a lot more to give, but I'm praying for you. Your music has helped me create a positive home culture for my kids and a positive driving environment when taking other people's kids on youth outings.
Plus, I have an early-morning commute, and sometimes you guys keep me awake and alive but also help keep my own faith alive. Which helps a lot, since I am in ministry. Thanks for all you do!
I serve a congregation in Duluth, MN, but also help teach at a small Bible college and seminary in Plymouth, MN, so once a week I drive down to teach a three-hour block. (Currently teaching Pentateuch). Duluth is about three hours from Plymouth, and I start teaching at 8 a.m., so I am on the road by about 4:15 a.m. -- you guys have helped keep me awake on some tired mornings — God bless you!
I tend to be an Old Testament teacher at the school (and at church as well) -- last semester, "The Man They Call Zechariah" ("Magic Carpet Ride") was a fun, recurring theme song for my driving— and, at times, in my thinking about the scriptures.
Not to gush, but simply for your final encouragement: I have shared your music as a part of my family's home culture for a very long time. We homeschool, and are selective as to what our kids spend their time with. I haven't made a big deal about what songs they should listen to; I have simply let my kids 'discover' the music in the family music archive.
A while back, my eldest (who was about 14 at the time) discovered 'Offer Your Prayer" ("Scarborough Fair/Canticle"). He really liked it-- it was a neat combination of music and message, and it was significant enough to him that he was sharing our recording of the song (played off of his phone) to his friends and several friendly adults at our church. I only found out that he enjoyed the song that much after that Sunday.
It was a joy and a blessing to see my boy (young man?) be encouraged like this in his own faith, and in seeing his personal faith grow and move like this. That whole episode is a fruit of what you are doing. Thanks for that -- not just from a pastor, but from a Christian dad.
Anyhow, thanks again, and God's peace, blessing, and provision be with you!
Pastor Phill Hooper
Duluth MI Thank you, Pastor Phill, and thank you, Jesus!
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