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Author Topic: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!  (Read 1461 times)

Offline IotaNet

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I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« on: February 18, 2008, 06:58:07 PM »
To my Brothers & Sisters in the Lord -  Let me start by saying, "God is Good -- all the time!"

I have a personal testimony to offer about how the Lord has blessed me with the desire of my heart -- to become a bass player in my church. It's a little long but if I can't tell it here, who else can I tell it to?

I've been wanting to be a bass player for a long time -- since way back in my trombone-playing days in college -- 30 years ago. A few years ago, I bought a bass with the intent of playing in church but it was slow going. For the past couple of years, I have been working at it. Practicing -- taking lessons -- buying instructional DVD's -- playing with CD's -- trying to develop some skills. As all of you know, it's very hard doing it by yourself at home.

As an aside, I live in Minneapolis and finding a church home here has been difficult. I visited a lot of churches but nothing ever seemed to feel right. A couple of years ago, I attended a musical at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and I liked it. I went back a couple of times but never joined.

This year, my Lady and I decided that we'd find a church and join together. We went back to Mt. Olivet and it felt like "home" to us. During my visits, I struck up conversations with the MOM and the bass player (who can play his butt off, BTW) and they were very welcoming and gracious. I asked a lot of questions about the church and the ministries and liked the answers I received. I also mentioned that I was a fledgling bass player and wanted to play in church one day. Again, they were very welcoming.

By mid-January, we'd made up our minds, Mt. Olivet was the place for us. During the week before we joined the church, I ran into the MOM again and asked him, "If I were to join the church, where is the most pressing need for new members to serve?" His answer blew me away -- he told me, "YOU are needed right here -- with us -- in the Ministry of music -- playing Bass!" That wasn't expected and while it sounded good, I took it with a grain of salt -- after all, the man had never heard me play anything.

That Sunday, we joined the church and when the Pastor asked me where I wanted to serve, I answered before the congregation, "In the Ministry of Music." (Amens, Ooooh's and Ahhhs from the congregation followed.)

Fast forward to the next week. I received an e-mail from the MOM telling me that he wanted me to become the bass player for the Celestial Choir (The Adult Choir)  and that I needed to come to choir rehearsal and pick up the CD of the 2008 repertoire. I sat though rehearsal and listened to them practice. At the conclusion of rehearsal, he asked me to stand up and he said, "I'd like everyone to meet Dwayne Dixon -- when he completes his New Member classes, he will be the bass player for our Choir." I was totally flabbergasted -- I didn't expect it to come down THAT quickly!!!

Okay -- now, I'm worried but praying. I took the CD home and started shedding hard -- I mean HARD! The next week, I spoke to the bass player and he mentioned a conversation he had with the MOM.

Bass Player (James): "I see you have Dwayne getting ready to go."
MOM: "Yes -- he seems to be very excited"
James: "Yes, he is that. By the way, have you heard him play?"
MOM: "No -- haven't you?"
James: "Ahhh, No -- I haven't"


When I heard about THAT convo, I got worried. I mean, I know how hard I've been working but still -- they had taken a BIG leap of faith with me. Additionally, I have NEVER played in Church and have only played my bass in public one time -- at a local Blues Jam.

I decided that I need to know where I stood so this past Saturday, I invited James to my house for a shed session. He came by and we rapped for a while and then I put on a CD -- Kurt Carr's "Awesome Wonder" -- and I played "Jesus Can work It Out." along with the CD (FYI, that's a song I've been practicing for a long time.)

After the song ended I looked at him for some feedback and he simply nodded and said, "You'll do just fine." From there we worked for about 2 hours and had a great session.

Today, I spoke to the MOM and this is what he told me ...

"I understand you and James worked together over the weekend. He had really good things to say about you. As a matter of fact, his exact words were, 'That Brother can PLAY!!!' He said you were precise and on point!"

We went on to discuss when my first "appearance" with the Choir will be (April 6th) and he also invited me to perform with the Choir at an out-of-town revival/visitation. I'm not ashamed to say that after the telephone convo, I was skipping around the house like a 6-year old!!!


The point of this lengthy note is to simply to remind ya'll that we serve a Mighty and Awesome God and to tell how he has blessed me and opened a door that I didn't even know was there.

God is truly good -- all the time!!!

Offline rut

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2008, 07:15:03 PM »
that is a true blessing cause i truly thought after he heard and told the MOM your playing style,  that it was going to be bad news, but god is able!!!
"vision to victory"

Offline Main5playah

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2008, 07:24:16 PM »
Continue to practice, shed with other players and most importantly remember why and for whom you are playing, not the MOM not the choir but GOD!
Main5playah

Offline under13

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2008, 07:40:08 PM »
With God, Anything is possible! God Bless you on this new opportunity.

Heres my story (part of it)

In Fall of 2005, A coworker said that thier church needed an organist. So I went to rehearsal and played, but they said i wasnt good enough. Fast foward to Fall 2007. I visited the chuch, just to visit. I spoke to the bass player, He said that all of the musicians were gonna be away, so he asked could I fill in, Having not heard me play since 2005. So I fill in, do a decent job and now I'm playing for them full time.

To all those starting out in church, remember to be patient, practice and PRAY

Offline Steelpulz

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2008, 12:10:13 AM »
To my Brothers & Sisters in the Lord -  Let me start by saying, "God is Good -- all the time!"

I have a personal testimony to offer about how the Lord has blessed me with the desire of my heart -- to become a bass player in my church. It's a little long but if I can't tell it here, who else can I tell it to?

I've been wanting to be a bass player for a long time -- since way back in my trombone-playing days in college -- 30 years ago. A few years ago, I bought a bass with the intent of playing in church but it was slow going. For the past couple of years, I have been working at it. Practicing -- taking lessons -- buying instructional DVD's -- playing with CD's -- trying to develop some skills. As all of you know, it's very hard doing it by yourself at home.

As an aside, I live in Minneapolis and finding a church home here has been difficult. I visited a lot of churches but nothing ever seemed to feel right. A couple of years ago, I attended a musical at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and I liked it. I went back a couple of times but never joined.

This year, my Lady and I decided that we'd find a church and join together. We went back to Mt. Olivet and it felt like "home" to us. During my visits, I struck up conversations with the MOM and the bass player (who can play his butt off, BTW) and they were very welcoming and gracious. I asked a lot of questions about the church and the ministries and liked the answers I received. I also mentioned that I was a fledgling bass player and wanted to play in church one day. Again, they were very welcoming.

By mid-January, we'd made up our minds, Mt. Olivet was the place for us. During the week before we joined the church, I ran into the MOM again and asked him, "If I were to join the church, where is the most pressing need for new members to serve?" His answer blew me away -- he told me, "YOU are needed right here -- with us -- in the Ministry of music -- playing Bass!" That wasn't expected and while it sounded good, I took it with a grain of salt -- after all, the man had never heard me play anything.

That Sunday, we joined the church and when the Pastor asked me where I wanted to serve, I answered before the congregation, "In the Ministry of Music." (Amens, Ooooh's and Ahhhs from the congregation followed.)

Fast forward to the next week. I received an e-mail from the MOM telling me that he wanted me to become the bass player for the Celestial Choir (The Adult Choir)  and that I needed to come to choir rehearsal and pick up the CD of the 2008 repertoire. I sat though rehearsal and listened to them practice. At the conclusion of rehearsal, he asked me to stand up and he said, "I'd like everyone to meet Dwayne Dixon -- when he completes his New Member classes, he will be the bass player for our Choir." I was totally flabbergasted -- I didn't expect it to come down THAT quickly!!!

Okay -- now, I'm worried but praying. I took the CD home and started shedding hard -- I mean HARD! The next week, I spoke to the bass player and he mentioned a conversation he had with the MOM.

Bass Player (James): "I see you have Dwayne getting ready to go."
MOM: "Yes -- he seems to be very excited"
James: "Yes, he is that. By the way, have you heard him play?"
MOM: "No -- haven't you?"
James: "Ahhh, No -- I haven't"


When I heard about THAT convo, I got worried. I mean, I know how hard I've been working but still -- they had taken a BIG leap of faith with me. Additionally, I have NEVER played in Church and have only played my bass in public one time -- at a local Blues Jam.

I decided that I need to know where I stood so this past Saturday, I invited James to my house for a shed session. He came by and we rapped for a while and then I put on a CD -- Kurt Carr's "Awesome Wonder" -- and I played "Jesus Can work It Out." along with the CD (FYI, that's a song I've been practicing for a long time.)

After the song ended I looked at him for some feedback and he simply nodded and said, "You'll do just fine." From there we worked for about 2 hours and had a great session.

Today, I spoke to the MOM and this is what he told me ...

"I understand you and James worked together over the weekend. He had really good things to say about you. As a matter of fact, his exact words were, 'That Brother can PLAY!!!' He said you were precise and on point!"

We went on to discuss when my first "appearance" with the Choir will be (April 6th) and he also invited me to perform with the Choir at an out-of-town revival/visitation. I'm not ashamed to say that after the telephone convo, I was skipping around the house like a 6-year old!!!


The point of this lengthy note is to simply to remind ya'll that we serve a Mighty and Awesome God and to tell how he has blessed me and opened a door that I didn't even know was there.

God is truly good -- all the time!!!
Congratulations Iota, That is truly a wonderful testimony. I used to play trombone in high school. Never good enough for first chair, but it helped with my reading, etc.

Anyway, get ready!!! Sometimes you are going to be presented with a musical challenge, like the choir not doing any of the songs you rehearsed on Thursday because the lead singer is sick and now they need to do two songs that you have never played and maybe never heard of. (I know it's a long sentence.) When that happens, and it or something lke it will happen, don't panic, pray, relax, listen and play.

Playing bass for God is a blessed and wonderful experience. Don't forget to have fun while you are doing it.
Conklin GTBD-7, Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0, Glasstone Lil G2, Holy Bible

Offline bass_mann1

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2008, 09:02:13 AM »
God will grant you the desires of your heart, stay encouraged, and keep everyone in the loop, I have found a lot of encouragement from the brothers and sisters on this site
Life is:
God, Family and Music

Offline Torch7

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2008, 10:22:09 AM »
Great Testimony!

Offline bassthumpa

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2008, 10:46:53 AM »
Fantastic testimony!  It's always great to have the encouragement to step out for the first time.  You're gonna do great!

Offline Quebass86

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2008, 11:20:34 AM »
Praise God and welcome to the bass family. I played trumpet for over 20 years before moving to the bass and playing in church so I can relate to the happy and joyous feelings you have. Stay focused and on God and He will take you on a journey that only God can do.
May God's Grace & Mercy smile upon you!

Offline Wesley16

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Re: I have been blessed and I need to tell somebody about it!
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2008, 03:25:59 PM »
What a wonderful testimony and great motivation for me to hang in there and that in due time I will post
my testimony. At my church we do not currently have a bass player, just a keyboard/organ(same person),
drummer. Contract bass players come and go for the past three years or so. It has been my desire and a
passion for me to play bass for my church. I finally made contact with a bass player/teacher with  15yrs. of bass playing & teaching experience and good references. Your testimony has encourage me even more
that in due season, what happen to you will and can happen to me. What a wonderful website  :)

God Bless You & Yours !!!

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