Genre: Rock * Alternative * Pop

Hometown: Orange County, CA

Record Label: Independent
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To everyone taking the time to read this annual praise report, we want you to know that, “We love you!” God has continually shown Himself strong on our behalf and this last year we have been able to document well over a hundred miracles: supernatural provision, physical healings, impossible weather changes, and most significantly lives transformed. We pray this update would strengthen Christians in their faith and challenge those that do not yet love Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ is alive, and desires a relationship with all of us!!

“O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.” (Psalm 40:5 NLT)

The vision

On April 24^th, 2007 God gave us a clear vision for a “musicianary ministry”.

Vision was realized

On August 19^th, 2007 we launched our website, released our first CD “Open The Door” and did our first evangelistic concert in Santa Cruz, CA.

The ministry grew

On November 17^th Ian & Eric met and knew that God had called Eric and his family (Mandy, Eden and Elijah) to join Ian and Johnna as partners in the Take No Glory ministry. We chose to live and travel the world together as musicianaries.

Commitment to prayer

We spent time each day praying, and also set aside each Tuesday to consistently fast and pray together, as we desperately desired to know the Lord’s will and submit to it.

Tax-deductible status

In December we began the process of becoming a non-profit ministry. Soon after that, the Foundation For Christian Stewardship partnered with us so people could donate to us through our website.

Ministry grew again

During January, God called our friend Chris to come serve alongside us on both of our east coast tours. He does everything possible to help: connect with the young kids at the concerts, watch Eden & Elijah, and most importantly he constantly makes us laugh

Released our second album

On February 1st, 2008 we started giving away our new album, “Wake Me Up”. This is an 11-track compilation of Johnna’s and Mandy’s original songs along with a narration of the Gospel Of John. Many people have told us that they love to use the CD as a witnessing tool. We are so grateful the Lord has empowered Christians to share their faith by handing out this album. If you don’t have a copy, you can download it freely from our website: www.TakeNoGlory.com

Nationwide winter tour

25,000 miles, 18 states, 7 people, 3 months, 1 purpose

The ministry really grew

The Holy Spirit added three more guys (Landon, Landrew & Conner), another couple (Jeff & Melanie) and a Hawaiian family of seven (Boy, Elena, Naili, Kalei, Kauhi, Kanani & Nadiya). Miraculously, God called 12 more people to join us as we grew to a team of nineteen people that left everything we had in this world to commit ourselves to the Lord by serving together in unity as musicianaries.

International spring & summer tour

205 plane tickets, more than 100 concerts, 19 people, 5 months, 3 continents, 1 purpose

Music is simply a means to the message

This is why we have always made our concerts and music available for free to anyone.

Humbly giving our music away

Thankfully, God has equipped us to freely give away over 70,000 CDs and more than a quarter million song downloads from our website.

An ability to reach the nations of the world

Our website has had visitors from over 4,400 cities in 130 countries

Many ways for people to find us on the internet

Our website: http://www.TakeNoGlory.com

Our blog site: http://TakeNoGlory.blogspot.com

Eight different Christian community sites

ShoutLife • IndieHeaven • WorshipSource • WorshipSong • SayTunes • MyPraise • GodTube • ChristianSongwriters

And six other popular community sites

MySpace • Facebook • YouTube • SoundClick • PureVolume • Xanga

Most important thing

Countless people have been changed and now love Jesus and the Bible because of what the Holy Spirit has done through this simple ministry. Our desire and purpose is to make our God and Father known, exalted, honored and truly glorified.

“Dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in our struggle by praying to God for us. Do this because of your love for us, given to you by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:30 NLT)

Please pray for our team as we spend the next few weeks seeking the Lord’s clear direction for the Take No Glory ministry and our individual lives. All of us have gone “home” to be with our families and spend time relaxing after many months of non-stop ministry. The Vierras have gone back to Oahu, HI. The Utiles and Huffs are both back in their hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. Conner and Landrew have gone back to Orange County, CA. The Woods, Chris and Landon are all back in Fort Wayne, IN.

A few things you can be praying for each of us about: [1] time and intimacy with Jesus and that we would be ministered to by the Holy Spirit as we spend time in prayer and reading the Bible [2] many opportunities to share with others the story of what God has done [3] ability to record another album (we have about a dozen new songs) [4] many of the people on our team (specifically the Woods & Vierras) are praying back to England and plant a church in Bristol [5] financial provision for all our debts to be paid.

One other specific prayer request is for Eric, Mandy, Eden and Elijah Wood (and their family). They believe they are called to go back to England in the near future and plant a church in Bristol. Please pray for their direction and dependency as the Holy Spirit guides them.

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” (1^st Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT)

One last thing we wanted to bless you with is a link to download Phil Wickham’s new worship album “singalong” free: http://PhilWickham.com/singalong This is one of our favorite worship albums ever! Phil loves Jesus and he is truly anointed to lead God’s people in worship. Please tell your friends about this; it will bless them!

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team

landon bailey · chris eggert · jeff huff · melanie huff · connor marone · baby utile · ian utile · johnna utile · boy vierra · elena vierra · kalei vierra · kanani vierra · kauhi vierra · nadiya vierra · naili vierra · eden wood · elijah wood · eric wood · mandy wood · landrew woolworth

Take No Glory is a musicianary band of Christians that desire to be founded on the Bible & empowered by the Holy Spirit who are simply saying “Yes!” to the call and commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. These musicianaries do this through responsive lives of worship that love God, love others, and primarily serve the world through music & preaching; all for the glory of God alone! This ministry team offers their new rock worship album “Wake Me Up” to download freely from their website, directly to your computer, so you can put it on your iPod or burn it on a CD. Download these Christian music mp3s FREE and please let your friends know about it, or you can make copies yourself and give CDs away Unauthorized duplication is encouraged and appreciated May The LORD Bless You!

(888) 825-3664

(888) TakeNoGlory

info@takenoglory.com

P. O. Box 28919

Santa Ana, CA 92799

www.TakeNoGlory.com

http://TakeNoGlory.blogspot.com

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SITES

http://www.ShoutLife.com/TakeNoGlory

http://www.IndieHeaven.com/Artists/TakeNoGlory

http://www.WorshipSource.com/Take-No-Glory

http://www.WorshipSong.com/Browse.asp?MemberID=1124

http://www.SayTunes.com/Bands/TakeNoGlory

http://www.MyPraize.com/TakeNoGlory

http://www.GodTube.com/TakeNoGlory

http://forum.ChristianSongwriters.org/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2884

OTHER COMMUNITY SITES

http://www.MySpace.com/TakeNoGlory

http://www.New.FaceBook.com/Pages/Take-No-Glory/18438638014

http://www.YouTube.com/TakeNoGlory

http://www.SoundClick.com/TakeNoGlory

http://www.PureVolume.com/TakeNoGlory

http://www.Xanga.com/TakeNoGlory

August 10th, 2008

(Matthew 10:8b NLT)

This week we had several new friends sign up for our email list through the various concerts and outreaches that we were apart of throughout the North Devon area, so we thought it might be informative to remind you and let them know a little about the Take No Glory ministry.

AWe are a musicianary band of Christians that desire to be founded on the Bible & empowered by the Holy Spirit who are simply saying “Yes!” to the call and commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. We do this through responsive lives of worship that love God, love others, and primarily serve the world through music & preaching; all for the glory of God alone!

The LORD said, “I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise”

(Isaiah 42:8b NLT)

During the last week and a half we have done almost a dozen concerts in England and Austria. At Creation Fest we played a set of own original songs and then also played some intimate acoustic sets of worship songs written by tnG and other Christian songwriters. Our team was also able to serve by helping with many other tasks like: prayer, set up/tear down, direct the stage, video, security, promotion, etc. What a blessing to travel around the world with 19 people so that the LORD can use our team to serve the world in many different ways

Now we are at the Schloss Heroldeck Castle in Austria serving in a number of areas like: cooking, cleaning, maintenance, landscaping, coffee house, children’s ministry and worship leading. The last few days we’ve also had the opportunity to fellowship with the brothers and sisters of Calvary Chapel South London during their summer retreat. We were blessed with the privilege of leading worship and being challenged and changed through the Word as they spent time teaching about spiritual warfare. Friday night we spent time hearing testimonies and leading worship as the LORD moved freshly upon His church. What a blessing to see God move in and through a body in such a powerful way.

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.”

(Romans 12:4-9a NLT)

Today, the Western European Leaders & Missionary Conference starts with more than 300 pastors, missionaries and their families coming to be refreshed by the Lord. People have traveled here from more than a dozen different countries expecting the Holy Spirit to refresh them as they continue to faithfully follow God. Please pray for the conference: [1] Jesus exalted, honored & glorified [2] Holy Spirit will powerfully impact each and every person [3] unity with all those fellowshiping together [4] spiritual/mental/physical health & refreshment of every missionary, speaker, staff and volunteer [5] speakers and their families (Todd Johnson, Damien Kyle, Brian Broderson & Bob Coy) [6] worship leader and his family (Scott Cunningham) [7] God’s wisdom and discernment in all decision making and smooth running operations

Below are our personal prayer requests and some of the events we have scheduled for the next few months. If you know anyone in these areas (Austria • Maine • Indiana • California) then please forward this email to them and encourage them to join us.

AUSTRIA (SCHLOSS HEROLDECK) EVENTS

Sunday, August 10th to Saturday, August 16th

Serving at the European Missionaries, Pastors & Leaders Conference

EAST COAST (USA) EVENTS

Friday, August 22nd to Sunday, August 24th

Serve with Pastor Ken Graves at CC Bangor in Maine

Wednesday, August 27th to Sunday, August 31st

Serve with Pastor Joe Mann at CC Fort Wayne in Indiana

Friday, September 5th to Monday, September 8th

Serve with Pastor Tom Camp at Harvest Chapel in Lafayette

Wednesday, September 10th until mid October

Break to seek the Lord for future of the tnG ministry

WEST COAST (USA) EVENTS

Saturday, October 18^th 6pm

EDIFY Concert at CC Living Water in Corona, CA

Sunday, October 19^th 8:30am & 10:30am

Worship at CC Living Water in Corona, CA

Saturday, October 25^th 5:30pm

Music Ministry at Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base in CA

Monday, November 10^th until Thursday, November 13th

Worship Leaders Conference in Murrieta Hot Springs, CA

Saturday, December 13^th 5:30pm

Music Ministry at Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base in CA

Please continue to pray for the Take No Glory team: [1] time and intimacy with Jesus [2] unity in the team [3] effectiveness and spiritual fruit [4] supernatural protection (hearts, souls, and minds) [5] health [6] marriages (Ian & Johnna · Jeff & Melaine · Boy & Elena · Eric & Mandy) [7] kids (Nadiya, Elijah, Eden, Kanani and baby Utile!) [8] other servants (Landon, Chris, Connor, Kalei, Kauhi, Naili, Landrew) [9] preparation for the concerts and outreaches [10] financial provision for what’s ahead & all our debts to be paid.

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team

landon bailey · chris eggert · jeff huff · melanie huff · connor marone · baby utile · ian utile · johnna utile · boy vierra · elena vierra · kalei vierra · kanani vierra · kauhi vierra · nadiya vierra · naili vierra · eden wood · elijah wood · eric wood · mandy wood · landrew woolworth

Take No Glory is a musicianary band of Christians that desire to be founded on the Bible & empowered by the Holy Spirit who are simply saying “Yes!” to the call and commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. These musicianaries do this through responsive lives of worship that love God, love others, and primarily serve the world through music & preaching; all for the glory of God alone! This ministry team offers their new rock worship album “Wake Me Up” to download freely from their website, directly to your computer, so you can put it on an MP3 player or burn it on a CD. Download this free Christian music and please let your friends know about it, or you can make copies yourself and give CDs away J Unauthorized duplication is encouraged and appreciated J May The LORD Bless You!

Jesus said to his disciples “Yes, your joy will overflow!”

(John 15:11b NLT) 

July 29th, 2008

As our team celebrated with Ian and Johnna, because of their growing family, we have also enjoyed the many opportunities Jesus trusted us with to serve Him here in the UK.  We don’t “have to” serve our God; we “get to” serve Him.  It is an honor, it is a privilege and it really is a joy!  This week impacted eternity in a BIG way with many people trusting in Jesus for the first time as served at free outreach concerts, diverse church services and fervent prayer meetings.

After Jesus ascended to heaven, his followers “met together and were constantly united in prayer.”

(Acts 1:14a NLT)

Please continue to pray for Creation Fest: [1] Jesus exalted, honored & glorified [2] local and visiting non-Christians drawn to the event [3] hearts softened to received the Gospel, people set free from sin, innumerable salvations and lasting spiritual impact [4] new believers getting plugged into a local fellowship for discipleship [5] God’s wisdom and discernment in all decision making and smooth running operations during the event [6] continued church unity and favor from government in the local areas [7] speakers (Brian Broderson, Bob Coy, Phil Pechonis, David Robertson, Garid Beeler, Philip Bell, Lu Wing and Nigel Watts) [8] bands (Lindz West MC, Scott Cunningham, Universal Royalty, Transition, Four Kornerz, Superhero, Manafest, CHRISTAFARI, Jahaziel, dweeb, Philippa Hanna, Avion Blackman, Solomon Jabby, Electralyte, Finchley, All ‘Bout Christ, NEW DIRECTION CREW, Erin Starnes, Ekklesia, BOSH, Lindsy Morton, Matt Giles, Sonz 1 and Take No Glory) [9] spiritual/mental/physical health, protection & endurance of staff/bands/speakers/volunteers [10] the weather and financial provision

Last week different churches from all over America sent over more than a hundred Christians here to help serve with Creation Fest.  It has been refreshing to serve with these brothers and sisters, as we have been able to support each other in what God has called us to do here in England.  Most of these people don’t know each other and are from different cultures.  Regardless, there is a feeling of family unity because we all have the same Heavenly Father.  It has been said that if people have Jesus in common, they have everything in common.

When Jesus prayed for us, He said “May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.”

(John 17:23b NLT)

On Wednesday the Ilfracombe churches (in North Devon) gathered together for a day of prayer and worship at the St. Peter & St. James Anglican Cathedral.  It was an incredible experience to serve in these old cathedrals that Jesus has used to change so many lives over the last few centuries.  On Friday and Saturday we traveled almost two hours, south from where we are staying, down to Exeter (a youth filled city of 120,000 people).  Exeter has the most impressive physical church building any of us had ever seen.  It was MASSIVE and parts of it were more than a thousand years old!!  As we served in a Biblically uncompromised & culturally relevant way in these churches, our team could envision the Holy Spirit doing a fresh work in these old places.

On Sunday morning we were blessed to spend time with our friends at Christian Fellowship Church teaching the Bible and leading them in worship.  We could feel the presence of the Lord, as He inhabited the praises of His people, with all of us singing together in unity.  The Holy Spirit also ministered to the church as a whole and to each person individually through the preaching of God’s Word as Eric and Ian taught the following passage:

“Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this too. Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than a sincere heart.  If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.  Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

 (2^nd Corinthians 5:11-15 NLT)

These are the verses we have printed on the back of our album “Wake Me Up”.  When we do a concert or church service, we give everyone a free copy of our CD and then teach the passage sentence by sentence.  When we preach from this paragraph we work hard to persuade the crowd to abandon their selfishness and sincerely live for Jesus in response to Christ’s love.  We explain the need to die to our old life, no longer live for ourselves and live for Christ alone.  This message needs to be heard and understood by all people regardless if they are a pagan or a pastor.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote those words in an epistle he penned about 2,000 years ago to the church of Corinth.  It is a miracle that these words still apply to everyone from all different walks of life today.  It’s because God Himself wrote this letter through Paul!

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and his is the one to whom we are accountable.”

(Hebrews 4:12&13 NLT)

Below are our personal prayer requests and some of the events we have scheduled for the next few months.  If you know anyone in these areas (England • Austria • Maine • Indiana • California) then please forward this email to them and encourage them to join us.

ENGLAND (NORTH DEVON, UK) EVENTS

Tuesday, July 29^th @ 7-9pm

Creation Fest Roadshow in Ilfracombe

tnG playing with Transition & Universal Royalty

Wednesday, July 30^th @ 7-9pm

Creation Fest Roadshow in Ilfracombe

tnG playing with Manafest & Scott Cunningham

Friday, August 1^st @ 10am-10pm

Creation Fest MAIN EVENT in Woolacombe

tnG plays at 2pm in the Surf Café & 8pm in the Acoustic Café

Saturday, August 2^nd @ 10am-10pm

Creation Fest MAIN EVENT in Woolacombe

Sunday, August 3^rd @ 10am-9pm

Creation Fest MAIN EVENT in Woolacombe

tnG plays at 2pm in the Surf Café & around 7pm on the Main Stage

AUSTRIA (SCHLOSS HEROLDECK) EVENTS

Wednesday, August 6^th to Saturday, August 9^th

Serving Calvary Chapel South London at their Summer Retreat

 Sunday, August 10^th to Saturday, August 16^th

Serving at the European Missionaries, Pastors & Leaders Conference

EAST COAST (USA) EVENTS

Friday, August 22^nd to Sunday, August 24^th

Serve with Pastor Ken Graves at Bangor Christian Church

Wednesday, August 27^th to Sunday, August 31^st

Serve with Pastor Joe Mann at Calvary Chapel Fort Wayne

Friday, September 5^th to Monday, September 8^th

Serve with Pastor Tom Camp at Harvest Lafayette

Wednesday, September 10^th until mid October

Break for a few weeks to seek the Lord for future of the tnG ministry

WEST COAST (USA) EVENTS

Saturday, October 18^th @ 6pm

Concert at CC Living Water in Corona, CA

Sunday, October 19^th @ 8:30 and 10:30am

Worship at CC Living Water Church Services

Saturday, October 25^th @ 5:30-7pm

Music Ministry at Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base

“Dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in our struggle by praying to God for us. Do this because of your love for us, given to you by the Holy Spirit.”

(Romans 15:30 NLT)

Please continue to pray for the Take No Glory team: [1] time and intimacy with Jesus [2] unity in the team [3] effectiveness and spiritual fruit [4] supernatural protection (hearts, souls, and minds) [5] health [6] marriages (Ian & Johnna • Jeff & Melaine • Boy & Elena • Eric & Mandy) [7] kids (Nadiya, Elijah, Eden, Kanani and baby Utile!) [8] other servants (Landon, Chris, Connor, Kalei, Kauhi, Naili, Landrew) [9] preparation for the concerts and outreaches [10] financial provision for what’s ahead & all our debts to be paid. 

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team

July 24th, 2008

The tnG Ministry Has Grown!!!  Ian and Johnna have just found out they are expecting a baby sometime in March!  They are so blessed and excited about this gift from the Lord.  Please pray for their expanding family!

“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God”

(James 1:17a NLT) 

Every week we spend here in England has been full of remarkable spiritual breakthroughs and intense spiritual warfare.  This week we were able to do a few outreach concerts with Scott Cunningham, Universal Royalty and some other Christ focused musicians.  We were also blessed to preach and lead worship at the local Baptist Church in Ilfracombe last Sunday morning and look forward to serving at the local charismatic church this upcoming Sunday.  We continue to be humbled every week by the continued miracles, favor and anointing the Holy Spirit has lavished upon us us!

“O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”

(Psalm 40:5 NLT)

Please join us in prayer for Creation Fest that takes place here in the UK August 1^st-3^rd.  The Holy Spirit is mobilizing prayer warriors and entire churches on different days to partner with us starting July 27th until the 4th of August for this ministry.  We expect about 10,000 people to be at Creation Fest and need continuous prayer for the festival.  We have many different people and churches that already committed from all over the world partner with us during this time of need.  We are requesting for all of them to commit to 24 hours of prayer.  We expect a fruitful harvest at this time here in England. If you are interested in joining us for this ministry through prayer, please contact us at: supernaturalwarriors@yahoo.com and we can schedule on what day you or your church would like to participate.

Here are the general Creation Fest prayer requests: [1] Jesus exalted, honored & glorified [2] local and visiting non-Christians drawn to the event [3] hearts softened to received the Gospel, people set free from sin, innumerable salvations and lasting spiritual impact [4] new believers getting plugged into a local fellowship for discipleship [5] God’s wisdom and discernment in all decision making and smooth running operations during the event [6] continued church unity and favor from government in the local areas [7] speakers (Brian Broderson, Boy Coy, Phil Pechonis, David Robertson, Garid Beeler, Philip Bell, Lu Wing and Nigel Watts) [8] bands (Lindz West (MC), Scott Cunningham, Universal Royalty, Transition, Four Kornerz, Superhero, Manafest, CHRISTAFARI, Jahaziel, dweeb, Philippa Hanna, Avion Blackman, Solomon Jabby, Electralyte, Finchley, All ‘Bout Christ, NEW DIRECTION CREW, Erin Starnes, Ekklesia, BOSH, Lindsy Morton, Matt Giles, Sonz 1 and Take No Glory) [9] spiritual/mental/physical health, protection & endurance of staff/bands/speakers/volunteers [10] the weather and financial provision

“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes.”

(2^nd Thessalonians 3:b NLT)

Please continue to pray for the Take No Glory team: [1] time and intimacy with Jesus [2] unity in the team [3] effectiveness and spiritual fruit [4] supernatural protection (hearts, souls, and minds) [5] health [6] marriages (Ian & Johnna • Jeff & Melaine • Boy & Ellena • Eric & Mandy) [7] kids (Nadiya, Elijah, Eden, Kanani and baby Utile!) [8] other servants (Landon, Chris, Connor, Kalei, Kauhi, Naili, Landrew) [9] preparation for the concerts and outreaches [10] financial provision for what’s ahead & all our debts to be paid.

We love you and are so grateful to communicate with you through this email.  Please reply and let us know how we can be specifically praying for you?

“Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

(Hebrews 13:20&21 NLT)

Joyfully serving Jesus,

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” “The LORD says, ‘I will rescue those who love Me.  I will protect those who trust in My name.’”

(Psalm 91:1,14 NLT)

July 15th, 2008

Jesus has really blessed us this week and given us peace as we have spent time meditating on Psalm 91.  As our team has worked from sunrise to sunset day after day, God’s word has spoken powerfully into our hearts.  The intensity of this week’s ministry was only bearable and enjoyable because of the authentic ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”

(Zechariah 4:6b NLT)

This week we were able to teach that, “God is real, Jesus is alive and there is a purpose for your life!!” in 20 different religious education classes at The Ilfracombe College here in North Devon.  This school is like a high school in America with kids ages 12 to 18.  These “religious” classes are often taught by pagans and usually include Islam, Hinduism, Satanism, Buddhism, New Age and “Christianity” which is really just taught as a Roman Catholicism lumped with Judaism.

During the morning and afternoon on Tuesday through Friday we shared testimonies, answered questions, played music and explained our faith in Christ to hundreds and hundreds of kids that know very little or nothing about the One we serve.  Many on our team said it was one of the most fruitful times of ministry they have ever been involved with!  As the teachers introduced us, we simply told the students that we are: “an American rock band that is on a world tour to tell everyone who will listen to repent of their sin, trust in Jesus and become bold Christ followers.”  After making the kids laugh & open up by acting like “crazy Americans” and giving away free CDs we invited these students to ask us any questions they would like.

Understand that out of the 1,000+ students, there are only a couple dozen faint-hearted believers that get persecuted for being a “stupid Christian”.  We also we able to experience true persecution as we were ridiculed and disrespected in every class we were able to teach.  Sometimes the kids made statements like: “Your gay” “God isn’t real” “I believe in the big bang”  Often times the kids would ask tough questions that took Spirit filled answers: “Why is there suffering in the world if there is a God?” “If God made the world, who made Him?” “How do you know Jesus is God?”  Then there were those wonderful questions that always led to the Gospel being presented: “How has Jesus changed your lives?” “What types of miracles have you experienced?” “Why did you become a Christian?”  We understood why the Apostle Peter told us to always be ready to defend our faith.

“If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.”

(1^st Peter 3:15b,14a NLT)

One of the great blessings Jesus gave us this week was a little time for our band to practice some new songs we believe the Holy Spirit wants us to share while we are here.  We were able to rehearse on Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon.

On Thursday we were blessed to do a worship concert in Bratton Fleming as a follow up to the last Roadshow.  The next day we had the opportunity to do two evangelism concerts in Ilfracombe.  In the afternoon we played a handful of songs at The Ilfracombe College during their lunch break.  The auditorium was packed with over 400 students, some of them hearing about our Lord Jesus Christ for the VERY FIRST TIME!

Friday night we did a concert with Universal Royalty in a church right across from the local nightclub.  It was awesome to see locals walk in to hear about Jesus just because they were headed to the club.  It gave our team a rare opportunity to witness to those that would never have normally listened to the message.

On Sunday our team was invited to lead Calvary Chapel Woolacombe’s morning church service and evening prayer service.  During the morning we led about 10 worship songs with the congregation singing louder than the sound system could go.  In between the music, Eric and Ian taught though 2^nd Corinthians 5:11-15 in a way that was encouraging and exhortive.

Take No Glory is blessed to have three lead singers that all switch roles (Johnna, Landon & Mandy) and two Bible teachers that have chosen to preach together as a team.  It is a great physical example that our team takes no glory from Jesus because no one person is exalted above another.  We pray that Jesus is the ONLY ONE that is praised and remembered!  That night we lead about a dozen different worship songs and had a powerful time of prayer during Calvary’s evening service.

“Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, ‘Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” (The verbal response to the enemy was) “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight!” (The physical response to the enemy was) “We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset.”

(Nehemiah 4:11,14b,21a NLT) 

And that is exactly what we have been doing, working from when we wake until we sleep.  Before you send an email that exhorts us to rest, know that each of us spend quality time alone with Jesus on Mondays and all of us still spend time together praying and fasting on Tuesdays.  We are helpless to do anything spiritually beneficial without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  If we don’t have intimate time to hear from God we will be destructive in our actions rather than productive.

The spiritual attacks that we have endured this week are memorable.  Dreams, visions, prophesies, gripping fear, verbal assult & physical aggression were consistent.  The locals would tell you there are likely more witches than Christians here in North Devon.  Jesus is alive, but Satan is alive as well and he wants to destroy us.  However, as he desires to “swoop down, kill us and end our work” we respond with the courage of the LORD!

Demonic attack is a reality that drives us to our knees desperate for our King to shelter us as He has promised.  Because the Holy Spirit is our strength, we are willing and able to do more than humanly possible!  We choose to fight this spiritual battle because Jesus is “great and glorious”.  We are so grateful for the battle that reminds us to pray with more passion and zeal.

“Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hears and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:6,7 NLT)

We love to partner with you in prayer.  How can we be specifically praying for you and those you care about? Know that we are so VERY grateful for your prayers!  Please pray for our: [1] time and intimacy with Jesus [2] unity in the team [3] effectiveness and spiritual fruit [4] supernatural protection (hearts, souls, and minds) [5] health [6] marriages (Ian&Johnna Jeff&Melaine Boy&Ellena Eric&Mandy) [7] kids (Nadiya, Elijah, Eden and Kanani) [8] other servants (Landon, Chris, Connor, Kalei, Kauhi, Naili, Landrew) [9] preparation for the concerts and outreaches ahead [10] financial provision for what’s ahead & all our debts to be paid.

Also please pray for Scott Cunningham and his family (Wife, Megan and 5 daughters: Madison, Rileigh, Emaline, Sabella and Analise).  They arrive in England today and Scott will be leading our team for the next month here in London and then in Austria.  Scott is a music pastor and songwriter from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in California.  Every year Scott travels to Devon to do free concerts here with Creation Fest.  He has combined his great passion for God and his ability to communicate through song to create a powerful worship album called “Grace Amazing” and has just finished his new album “Till The Whole World Hears”.

“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”

(2^nd Peter 1:5-7 NLT)

We have now “finalized” our schedule for our last 3 weeks here in England.  We have dozens of events on our calendar during the next 20 days.  And it looks like after we serve in Austria, from August 6^th to 20^th, we will do three-day outreach events on the east coast.  We are praying about serving with Ken Graves in Bangor, Maine August 22^nd, 23^rd & 24^th.  Then serving with Joe Mann in Fort Wayne, Indiana August 29^th, 30^th & 31^st.  Finally serving with Tom Camp in Lafayette, Indiana September 5^th, 6^th, 7^th & 8^th.

We have a vision to do Friday night “Worship, Prayer & Communion” gatherings.  Then on Saturday all those that attended the gathering can go out and evangelize in the morning / afternoon and invite people to a Saturday night “Free Rock Concert” where the Gospel will be preached boldly.  Finally we meet again on Sunday morning for “Church & Baptisms”.  Please pray as we begin to plan these weekends with the local pastors that have invited us to come serve their communities.

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”

(Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team

July 8th, 2008

God Is Alive In England!  We are blessed and encouraged to walk these days out with you!!  It has been such a sweet encouragement to hear your responses and to feel your intercession at work.  The prayers, petitions and praises that we have heard about continue to strengthen us as we go around the world.  We know that those who pray for us and with us, are also the ones that the LORD is using to fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit as we walk forward while looking up.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”

(Ephesians 6:10-20)

Isn’t it interesting that wherever the LORD is moving, so is Satan? We don’t mean to give our foe too much clout, but isn’t it remarkable to walk and “feel” the battle that rages on.  Even our thoughts seem cloudy and dark.  Our hands seem worn and tired.  Our bodies seem to be breaking down with sickness.  And most importantly our hearts seem hard hit with explosive attacks from all directions.  Yet, our LORD is faithfully strong in the midst of even the most troublesome times.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

(Psalm 34:17,18)

Joseph declared to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

For our LORD is:

The Messiah, Creator, Baby born to be our Savior

Father, Redeemer, Hope of Glory, Friend of Sinners

All knowing, All powerful, Forgiving, Oh so Faithful

The Helper, My Maker, Living Stone, Our Mediator

Sinless High Priest, Messenger, Prince of Peace

Bread of Life, Holy One, Counselor, Beloved Son

King of Ages, King of Kings, Ruler over Everything

Immanuel, Cornerstone, Morning Star and Lord of Lords

Lamb of God, He is risen, Unto us a Son is given

Mighty One of Righteousness, Beautiful in Holiness

Chief Shepherd, One True Vine, You’re the living Sacrifice

First and Last, Eternal Friend, Comforter, The Great I Am

We know that our LORD is King and yet we still plead with you to continue to pray for the Spiritual battle that rages on here in North Devon as we continue to faithfully follow.  Here are a few ways that you can continue to pray for us as we walk these days of trial and tribulation out with JOY and excitement!

Please join with us as we pray for: [1] protection (our hearts, souls, and minds) [2] our relationship with Jesus [3] practice for the concerts and outreaches ahead [4] unity and oneness as we serve [5] Eden and Elijah as they continue to be awesome encouragements [6] our health [7] for continued effectiveness and spiritual fruit.

There are MANY, MANY praise reports to share from this week J

Over the past week we have seen the church act like the church is supposed to.  Brothers and sisters have consistently blessed us with food, housing and even amazing transportation.  In fact…our bellies are full, all of us now have beds to sleep on and we have two 16 passenger mini-buses to move the 19 of us and all our music equipment.  Praise the LORD!

On Thursday, Universal Royalty (UR) invited a few members of tnG to come and do school work with them. Schoolwork consists of, teaching Religious Education courses, spending time with teenage students, and performing outreach concerts.   This is a HUGE deal, since Muslims, atheists or even pagans teach these religion classes.  RE courses usually include Satanism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and “Christianity” which is really just taught as a Roman Catholicism lumped with Judaism.

During the classes students were able to ask various questions about, America, our faith and/or any other extremely random area of our lives. Questions began very general as you will read below, but our LORD always directed people right to Himself.  Here are a few examples of the questions that we were asked:

“Do you eat at McDonalds?” “Do you know anyone who has been shot?” “Do you like traveling the world?” “Is it worth it?” “How does your faith influence your music?”

Our response to this opportunity is to cry out to God, “LORD what a blessing to see Your hand at work in the schools of North Devon.  Thank You for Your favor and blessing as we walk these days out.”

We wish you could see the faces of these young kids as they heard about JESUS for the first time.  Many asked if the stories were even real as their rational and cynical brains tried to reason the stories of faith.  Students were awe struck as God made Himself known and spoke into their lives in practical and miraculous ways.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

(John 14:12)

After lunch, tnG was given an opportunity to play an acoustic concert, where over 300 students voluntarily showed up and Jesus Christ was taught!  The maximum occupancy in the facility was 300 people, so people were literally filling the hallways and the surrounding areas just to hear the music and the message.  Please continue to pray for favor in Biddeford as Creation Fest continues to come near.  Pray for thousands of students to show up and be saved.  Pray for the teachers and leaders of Biddeford College/University as they continue to let the WORD stew in their hearts.

On Friday the LORD opened up the opportunity for us to teach a home fellowship of about 70 people.  It was an awesome time of fellowship, teaching and worship.  One powerful note is: God is moving in and through the students of Woolacombe.  Three of the young students are, Chris, Josh and Robby.  Please pray that God would continue to mold and shape them for the days ahead as they serve here in Woolacombe.

On Saturday the LORD allowed us to reach out to Bratton Fleming through a Creation Fest Road Show.  It rained and rained and rained, but God taught us so much about being faithful in the midst of even preaching and singing to the houses.  We know that the WORD of God doesn’t return void even in the most intense situations.  Please pray for Bratton Fleming as we do a follow up time of worship and outreach on Thursday at the St. James Anglican Church.

On Sunday the LORD moved in our team.  We spent a day going to church together and seeing the LORD open up even more opportunities in Ilfracombe.  As the day moved on we spent a serious amount of time being real and praying for each other as the spiritual warfare continues to rage in and amongst our team.  It was extremely encouraging to see the LORD open up our team about bitterness, stubbornness and pride.

You know there is much more to say, but time and space will never be enough to tell of the glory of our LORD as He moves and glorifies Himself through us…His mere tools.

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”

(1^st Corinthians 1:26-29) 

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team

July 3rd, 2008

A few days ago, we came from the Philippines to the UK.  We traveled here with no accommodations or transportation worked out for the 19 of us when we arrived.  It was a BIG step of faith, as we trusted that Jesus would take care of us and He has!  We have been miraculously blessed with everything we need and more.

When we were boarding the plane on Wednesday to Hong Kong we were facing baggage charges of over $1,000.  So we all gathered up and prayed that the Lord would do a miracle.  As we put our luggage on the weight machine, the people checking the bags started writing down less weight than the scale said; they didn’t charge us anything!!!  After all the bags were checked, the main guy helping us mentioned that he is a Christian.  So we just told him to, “Keep serving Jesus!”  Things like this confirm we are doing exactly what God has called us to.

On Thursday morning we arrived in London after a long 35-hour trip from our initial departure from Dumaguete.  The customs department tried to deny us access because we had no proof of where we were staying or how we would financially support ourselves for six weeks in the UK.  It sounds crazy to say, “We are musicianaries that trust Jesus to take care of our every need.”  After much prayer we were allowed through because God gave us favor!

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

(2nd Chornicles 16:9a NLT)

After a 5 hour drive south to Devon, we arrived at Phil & Megan Pechonis’ house in Woolacombe.  We were beyond blessed that night as we had hot showers, full bellies, and warm beds to sleep on.  Woolacombe is a beautiful surf community and we have met many wonderful people here that love Jesus.  Phil & Megan are a godly couple with four awesome kids that have really blessed to our team.  The Holy Spirit has used them powerfully for the last 7 years to run Creation Fest.  Please pray for their strength because they have SO MANY responsibilities during this season!

We are excited about what the Lord is doing here in England.  Several of the local brothers and sisters in Christ have great visions of what the Holy Spirit is going to do here in their community.  We have been greatly encouraged by their fervor for Christ, and their hearts of prayer.  It is always an encouragement when you meet people who wait expectantly on the Lord.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

On Saturday we served at the Creation Fest Roadshow in Barnstaple (North Devon).  The Take No Glory band played two full sets that afternoon, finishing with a 3rd set of worship songs that night with ALL the bands playing on stage together at the same time.  It was incredible to gather 13 different musicians that had never even met and see them all play music in unity.

The Creation Fest Roadshow was a great success, as new souls were added to the Kingdom, and existing believers were encouraged! It was a blessing to see all the volunteer staff serving non-stop for hours on end, all with cheerful attitudes.  Jesus was glorified, the church was unified, the weather was great, everyone was safe, and the Gospel changed lives.

One miracle that happened at this Roadshow is all the local churches coming together to put the event on.  We have been told this has never happened in the Barnstaple area!  After decades of each church doing their own thing, God finally unified them for this event.  This is an amazing example of how the church is supposed to be.

“Keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”  “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.”

(Ephesians 4: 3,5-6 NLT)

On Sunday morning, Pastor Phil Pechonis preached the gospel message in Barnstaple at the same place the Roadshow had been held.  Most local churches closed their doors that day and encouraged their fellowships to go to this joint service on the street corner.  There were about 700 people there and several came forward and gave their lives to the Lord.  We are anticipating great things in the weeks to come, and we are confident that the Holy Spirit has already started an awakening.  Jesus is alive here in England!

We have been spending a lot of time with another band that is also playing at Creation Fest, called Universal Royalty. They are a group made up of 6 brothers (from New York City) whose main focus is to preach the gospel and see lives transformed by Christ. They have a hip hop/reggae/rock feel, with lots of energy that really engages the crowd.  The Holy Spirit’s anointing on their ministry is obvious as their faith and zeal for the Lord catches fire everywhere they go.  They travel with their mom and three wives.  This family is A LOT like our team!  Please pray for the ten of them as they spend 11 weeks serving here in the UK.

“But thank God!”  “He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.”

(2nd Corinthians 2:14a,c & 2:15a NLT)

The Lord has graciously answered our prayers and provided housing for all 19 of us!  The Woods are staying with the Pechonis family.  The Vierras are staying with another local family and the rest of us are living in a church hall that has a kitchen and bathrooms.  Jesus also provided us a 17-passenger mini-bus to use while we are here.  So we have housing and transportation.  God is so kind & faithful!

Once again, we are excited for the things to come, and are asking that you would labor with us in prayer over the upcoming events here.  We have different small events throughout each week.  This Saturday we serve at another Creation Fest Roadshow in Bratton Fleming.  Please pray for the weather, protection, safety, financial provision, artists, speakers and that the Gospel will be heard throughout the village.

Another praise report is that most of our team has been sick during our time here in England, and now we are feeling much better!  So please be in continued prayer for our health.  We rely on the Lord’s strength to help us persevere.  Christ is made perfect in our frailties, and this week has been a huge testimony to that.

“May God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.  Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.  All glory to God forever and ever!  Amen.”

(Galatians 1:3-5 NLT) 

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team