Here is a brand new year, and a brand new adventure for KNIGHTsong Ministries. Our business model remains the same: Anytime, anywhere, no mention of finances, and to be the lowest maintenance special guest a pastor ever had.
The photograph is one I took of a remaining dirt portion of the “Mother Road”, Route 66. In many ways we will be continuing the Journey that began in earnest with our JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME, now some two years in the rearview mirror. In other ways, this is something brand new; a new adventure complete with brand new challenges. This comes along with a fresh request for your prayers, and a fresh need for Godly wisdom as we navigate a brand new uncharted road ahead.
I have started the process of contacting new churches and reconnecting with others where we have presented one or more of our Live Worship Events. I have no idea what the future holds, but I do know we are well ahead of last year. We already have several dates on the calendar scattered through the entirety of next year. Hopefully we can fill in the dates around them. Here are our plans for this year:
JANUARY – APRIL
We are speaking with a church about a January date and we would certainly not say no to any opportunity. January however, is set aside for some intense prayer, planning and preparation. For February, March and April I hope to secure a few regional dates (approximately a 200 mile radius of Greenville) or places where air is an option to fill up the remaining Sundays of these months. This is a perfect opportunity for local churches, regardless of size, to be exposed to Matt’s story of hope. This “home base” time also includes plans for some rather ambitious projects as well. Here are a few:
ON THE VIRGE, THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME Book Release We’re planning an exciting March event for the release of our new book chronicling our two-year Journey. Part devotional, part travelogue, all adventure. This will be an outdoor event, so timing will be dependent on weather. This may require a fairly short lead-time. What can I tell you about this event? Here’s a hint: How about “free mini concert”, “free e-books” and “free cheeseburgers”. Watch for details soon.
The JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME Live Worship Event This is a brand new LIVE WORSHIP EVENT built around our new book of the same title, but focusing much deeper into the Journey that is our lifetime. This includes new music and new media as well as some favorites from the first two. It also introduces Shaunda as a part of the public presentation. I assure you that this will be the highlight of the new event.
TEARS IN A BOTTLE second edition This is the book that started it all refreshed, revisited and re-released with even more stories, yet focusing on the same 21 lessons that God has used to inspire thousands across the nation.
THE GREATER JOURNEY Live Worship Event second edition After nearly one hundred presentations, the story will get a facelift with some new music, a new worship order and some new media. The message will remain the same: An incredible story of hope that answers the question “Can God be trusted?” while challenging the worshipper to never take one moment of life for granted.
THE MUSIC OF THE GREATER JOURNEY This is my first new music project in several years, and I’ve got to say I’m very excited about this one! This extended play CD will include much of the music and piano solos from all of the LIVE WORSHIP EVENTS. I’ve got a brand new location to work on this project. More about this soon.
CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME We are planning our first tour of 2018 beginning with a full weekend in West Texas at the end of April and then heading out for southern California. It is here that one of the most exciting announcements of this New Year should come into focus. It’s one of those that we asked you to pray about months ago. More about this one soon as well.
We are talking with brand new churches in Florida, Arkansas, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio and Colorado for the remainder of 2018 as well. Please pray that I can put all of this together. I must admit this is a bit overwhelming, but what an awesome challenge to face. So how are we going to keep all these things afloat financially?
I know. I’ll get my own TV show and ask for money.
That was “tongue in cheek”, I assure you! Remember the second half of our commitment? No mention of money. Please know we appreciate every offering freely given to support this ministry. As a matter of fact, it is that personal support component that has made it financially feasible for this ministry to continue. It just seems that I should do everything I can as well to fulfill this dream.
I was up late one night over the Holidays and I sat and watched the television as every imaginable cause was raising money. Many of these organizations are noble indeed, others slightly less so. I watched TV preachers literally guarantee viewers a financial return if they would only “sow a gift of faith” into that particular pastor’s ministry. I get it. It was the last days of a calendar year. This is the time when many folks are eyeing their tax bracket and are looking to charitable giving to help reduce their tax liability. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just that all “not for profits” know this as well, and they do all they can to get their “piece of the pie”.
This assured me in my heart one more time that we were on the right path. Anywhere, anytime with no mention of finances. You never heard a single word about finances from us over the Holidays. (Don’t worry, you won’t hear it now either) I’m still stuck in Matthew 6. My Father already knows what we need. It’s just that this year we are starting fresh instead of having earmarked funds and I now have insurances to pay for. Oh yeah, food and all that kind of thing too.
We’ve got a book release soon and a music project on the horizon, which should translate into some income. We’ve got several concerts planned as well. Many of you have faithfully supported this ministry, hopefully that will continue as God speaks to you. It’s just that I have dreams for this ministry… big dreams… real big dreams. Dreams of how this ministry might impact the lives of hurting people in a more meaningful, more substantial way. (Some of you may recall my “LET’S TAKE A WALK” blog). Again, it just seems that I should do everything I can to fulfill this dream.
I don’t have a lot of cash, but to quote a rather cheesy movie line: “what I do have are a very particular set of skills“. I have led an interesting life and been afforded many unique opportunities. I once had a small business producing music for advertising. In addition, I have produced hundreds of ministry related videos, written custom jingles as well as produced extended corporate videos, political ads, recording projects and commercials. So… one final task associated for this first part of 2018 is the launch of a new business; Mission Video.
There will be much more on this in the next few weeks. In a nutshell, we hope this will develop into a new revenue stream by providing custom video and audio production for churches and businesses. Mind praying for the success of this new business? Mind helping get the word out? (I’ll give you some practical tools over the next few weeks.) Would it help if I added the fact that 100% of the profit from this endeavor will be given to KNIGHTsong Ministries? Mission video… video production with a mission: to share Matt’s incredible story of hope.
As you can tell, we are very busy. I know this is a lot to take in, but you are the ones who have chosen to share this Journey with us. I just wanted you to be a part of this phase too, and I wanted you to know how you can pray for us.
Just the view from my window… a view of the road ahead.