Partnering With You

Crusade U.S. Staff Conference 2005

Equipment Master

Tomás was appointed Equipment Master for both this year's Summer Project, and for Keynote for Crusade's 2005 U.S. Staff Conference in Fort Collins, CO. This meant that he had to coordinate all of Keynote's equipment needs for the two weeks we would be serving Crusade's staff during the conference.

Keynote has enough equipment to comfortably outfit 4 bands. For the Summer Project we stretch that a bit, outfitting 6 bands with PAs. Things get a bit thin, and we usually use this opportunity to buy some new gear.

Well, for this summer's Staff Conference, Tomás had to put together 8 PA systems! It was a tricky business, but, with the help of Mark, Rob, JJ, and Cory, we managed to pull it off.

This is what the warehouse looked like before Conference load-up, with 8 stacks of sound systems and one very large stack of personal instruments and gear:



Percussion

Tomás was again asked to play percussion on the Main Session worship team. He teamed up with Michael Ramos, CCC Staff who works in the President's Office at CCC headquarters in Orlando, FL.



This is always a great thrill and blessing! Helping to lead 4,000 staffers in worship is quite an honor!

He also played drums in the team that led worship for Christian Leadership Ministries, a Crusade ministry that reaches out to college professors.

Cathy Leads Homeschooling Seminar

Cathy again gave her seminar "Homeschooling and Ministry". Two years ago about 6 people attended. This year over 30 attended, and we agreed to start a Yahoo Group to help homeschoolers on Crusade Staff to network.

The biggest thing for homeschoolers is the sense that they are doing this on their own. Knowing there are others on Staff who have experience is a huge blessing, and helping these people to network through Yahoo Groups will expand Cathy's ministry beyond the walls of Keynote.

Caedman's Call

This year's staff conference had three special musical Guests: Caedman's Call, Fernando Ortega, and a thrilling off-broadway musical production called "The Rock and The Rabbi", which is based on the life of Peter and Jesus (a production that had more percussion than any other group we've ever seen!).

Tomás had the opportunity to help Caedman's Call with their equipment set-up.



Tomás got to hang and chat with Garett (percussionist) and Todd, Caedman's Call drummers. Two very nice fellows who love the Lord. They flew in to CSU the afternoon of their show, despite getting into an accident on the way to the airport in California that morning!



They have a huge setup. Lots of drums.



The show was great! This is a band that really loves the Lord. The band recently returned from a trip to India, and they feel called from God to reach out to people in this predominantly Hindu country (read more about their vision here.)



Fernando Ortega

Fernando, former CCC Staffer, returned once again to CSU. This time he brought his band, and Tomás had the opportunity of not only helping the band setup, but he let David Owens, Fernando's drummer, play his kit!



David is a super guy, and a great drummer. He and Tomás found out they both love Progressive Rock, and the conversation took off from there!



The show was great, Fernando telling us funny stories about his time on staff and the cyotes who eat his neighbors cats.

Watching David play was a clinic in tasteful, ambidextrous drumming. He showed how a powerful groove can be laid down without bashing the kit.



Conference Wrap

Throughout this year's Staff Conference we heard how God is moving throughout the world, not just through Campus Crusade for Christ, but through other ministries.

The theme for this year's conference was "Follow Me". Jesus wants us to be His followers; Bill Bright called himself a Follower of Christ. This is to be our goal, to follow the Lord wherever He may lead.

Through a faithful following of Christ, with the heart of a servant, we can be dynamic witnesses to His love. We can see our world changed, and see many come to Christ.

It is through your faithful partnership that we can continue to work full-time for The Lord. Thank you!!

We will give you more detailed reports from Crusade's 2005 Staff Conference in future newsletters and Blogs.

God bless you!


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posted by Tomás @ 11:11 PM