Jan
12

Nominees For the Duncan Africa Guitar Give-A-Way (Part 1)

Featuring Ryan Dahl Posted on January 12, 2014

January 6, 2014 marked the last day of our Twelve Days Of Christmas give-a-ways.  Nearly 1000 people were involved in nominating someone to win a beautiful guitar, handcrafted in Uganda, Africa by the Duncan Africa Society.  Special thanks to Integrity Music, who sponsored the guitar for this special giveaway. We are thrilled to announce that Mark Howard won the guitar on behalf of his son, Grant Howard.  You can listen to the moment where Ryan Dahl, PraiseCharts founder, phoned Mark to tell him the news. Here are the words that Mark wrote for his nomination:

I have watched with a great deal of joy as my son Grant continues to surrender his life to God's calling on him. His considerable musical talent is easily surpassed by his sensitive heart as a worshipping leader. I would love to see him receive the blessing of this guitar because I know that he will invest it back into the ministry of lifting up Christ and proclaiming the gospel. ~ Mark Howard, for Grant Howard

 

Unfortunately, only one person could win the guitar, but were were amazed and moved by all of the nominations that came in.  So, we decided to ask more than 800 applications if we could have permission to post their nomination comments to a blog post in PraiseCharts.  Within eight hours, we had more than 250 positive replies. It is truly a beautiful thing to read these stories of people writing words of honor and affirmation about others in their lives whome they thought deserved an opportunity to win this guitar.  In some ways, all of these nominees are winners, as they have shown themselves to be faithful and worthy of honor in their worship ministry endeavors.  So, this is our tribute to the many workers and laborers from around the world who are serving their communities in worship leadership and musicianship.  Get ready for the longest (multi-page) blog post you have ever read!

Zach is a musician who is passionate about real-authentic ministry. He serves teens selflessly as a youth pastor, and at the same time continues his love of musical performance. He would love to own a guitar that has its own personality that matches the personality of his voice. With his guitar, Zach love developing relationships with people that need Jesus. People who would never darken the door of the church. ~ Aaron Hale, for Zach Pietrini

Ten years ago, on his 30th birthday, I gave Antonio an Ovation guitar. It has served with us in churches in Dallas, Chicago and now Mexico City. Used to lift up the Lord each Sunday, comfort the grieving at countless funerals, encourage the sick at bedsides and hospitals, raise the roof at children's ministry events and missions trips throughout Mexico, that old Ovation has been bumped and bruised. Most recently, Antonio played that Ovation at his father's funeral when he lost his battle against liver failure. What an encouragement it would be for Antonio, as he recently turned 40, to start out this new stage of life worshipping his Heavenly Father with a new guitar. 
Rebecca Baron-Munoz, for Antonio Munoz

Ten years ago, on his 30th birthday, I gave Antonio an Ovation guitar. It has served with us in churches in Dallas, Chicago and now Mexico City. Used to lift up the Lord each Sunday, comfort the grieving at countless funerals, encourage the sick at bedsides and hospitals, raise the roof at children's ministry events and missions trips throughout Mexico, that old Ovation has been bumped and bruised. Most recently, Antonio played that Ovation at his father's funeral when he lost his battle against liver failure. What an encouragement it would be for Antonio, as he recently turned 40, to start out this new stage of life worshipping his Heavenly Father with a new guitar. Rebecca Baron-Munoz, for Antonio Munoz

My Dad is 86 years old and is a musician and composer. A couple of years ago someone stole his guitar that he would play on a daily basis. He has one now, but isn't a very good one. He would consider it a gift from above to win this. Thank you for doing this. God bless you! ~ Sr. Betty Ann Martinez, for Anselmo Martinez

I am nominating my really good friend and fellow musician, Joey Wright. Joey has been playing music since he was a child. He took piano lessons while in elementary school, and he and I were in band together in high school. Joey plays piano, saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, and drums. He is VERY talented. His primary love is the guitar, and I know this new guitar would be an awesome gift for him. Joey is a full-time college student and a part-time employee at a local bank. He works hard, and finances are tight. Joey wouldn't be able to just go out and buy a really nice guitar right now. Joey has been a part of the worship team at our church for around 7 years. He plays whatever instrument we need him to play, and he sings on occasion. He is pursuing a degree in music industry at the University of North Alabama in Florence, AL. He will graduate in 2015. This guitar would be a useful resource to Joey in his professional endeavors, in leading worship, and personally. ~ Andrew Risner, for Joey Wright

Ryan is a worship leader in Pinckney, Michigan. He was raised in a family dedicated to God. He is happy to see that you are helping young people in Africa and giving them a living wage for the first time in their lives. He will praise you during his services and make them aware of your contributions to humanity. He's the right guy. ~ Adele Abraham, for Ryan Paonessa

My son, Matthew, is a senior in high school and plays in the band with me at church every Sunday. He currently plays bass, which he taught himself to play. He also plays guitar but currently doesn't have one. Matthew will graduate in the spring and will go to college and then join the army. He plans to spend his life in the military to protect the freedoms of other people. While I will no longer have him beside me, making music for our Lord, with this guitar the music can go with him to lift the spirits of whomsoever he may meet where ever he is stationed. ~ Beth Luedeker, for Matthew Luedeker

Mathew is not just a gifted musician, arranger and worship leader. He is being used by God to lead people to God's throne without drawing attention to himself. Although I am his father, I see that God has His hand on Mathew and is blessing the works of his hands. ~ Alan Encinosa, for Mat Encinosa

I am nominating my pastor, who is working hard to learn to play guitar (and has come an amazingly long way very quickly!). His guitar is the model he could best afford and doesn’t have any pickups or onboard tuner. He often speaks of having a really nice guitar, and I think this would be the perfect opportunity for him to have such an instrument. One other reason I appreciate the quality of this guitar is personal. My brother supplies wood for instruments such as this and, although he doesn’t send wood to Africa, he sends it to other places overseas that produce beautiful instruments such as this. The video mentions the spruce from the Pacific Northwest, where my brother lives, struck this particular chord with me (no pun intended!). Back to my pastor: first and foremost, he would appreciate the workmanship and job opportunities this guitar provides for people in Africa. The love of Jesus for people of the world would make this a treasured and well used and loved instrument for him. Regardless of who ultimately wins this instrument, thank you for the ministry it will provide wherever it is used! ~ Katy Suiter, for Peter Epler

Please allow me to introduce you to Steve. Steve Wynkoop is the pastor at First Christian Church in Wray, CO as well as our Church's Worship Leader. He uses his old guitar each week to lead us in praise and worship, but has recently joked about looking at new guitars but knowing it wasn't in his families budget. If he is chosen to receive this gift, I can assure you that he will use it to bring people closer to God through using his gift of music as well as preaching Truths from the Word of God. I also know it would be a blessing and encouragement in his life. We are a growing church but I know his salary is small. It would be so uplifting to be able to help him receive this acoustic guitar. Thank you for letting me nominate someone who has dedicated his life to sharing the Good News of Christ and pressing his congregation into evangelism, service and outreach to our community. May God bless you all as you also share the love of Christ, Christian music and family safe programs to us all. ~ Joyce Gibbs, for Steve Wynkoop

Nathan is a selfless servant of God. A young worship leader of the highest caliber. When he leads, he pours out an offering of praise that honors our Lord! ~ Mickey Gentry, for Nathan Young

I am a member of the Journey Church in Brownsburg Indiana. We have an awesome worship leader, Dave Chisham. Dave is very dedicated in leading us during the worship part of the service. He involves the congregation, the Pastor, and even his children. In my opinion, the best part about Dave is, he makes it all about The Lord and not himself (Dave). We all love him and appreciate his talents! Thank you for considering Dave Chisham with the Journey Church in Brownsburg, IN ~ Barb Klein, for Dave Chisham

I nominate Andy Harvey because he is a man committed to the Gospel and using His God-given gift of music and pastoring to glorify God and benefit His Church. Andy is a servant leader. His full time job is a middle school counselor. He also serves as our local church's worship pastor. Andy lives and leads in such a way that God is center stage, not himself or a band. Andy and his wife also serve as community group leaders, opening their home weekly for others to be encouraged and challenged by the Gospel. He's not just a guy in front of the community, he's part of it. ~ Brad Peterson, for Andy Harvey

John has used his gift of playing guitar and sharing his passion for music throughout his 35+ years of ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. He is a great witness. ~ Bill Pyatt, for John Vidakovich

 

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