Featuring Ryan Dahl
Posted on January 12, 2014
On January 6, 2014, we saw nearly 1000 people nominate others to win our Duncan Africa Guitar. While there was only one winner, we received permission from more than 250 applicants to post the comments from their nomination. There are pages and pages of them, but it makes a great read to see people honoring others. In so many ways, all of these men and women are winners, as they press on in their ministry, whether or not they are publicly acknowledged.
Elaina is a gifted 16-year old musician who, in addition to being a talented guitarist, is also excellent on ukelele, violin, and piano. She is hard-working, self-motivated, enthusiastic, reliable and God-honoring. She would appreciate the value of this beautiful instrument and put it to good use. It is my pleasure to work with her on our church's worship team. This gift would be a great way to encourage young people to continue to dedicate their musical abilities to the Lord.
Andreia Nienow, for Elaina Andre
I am nominating Ryan Paonessa. He is the new Director of Worship at my church, Peoples Church. Ryan is a great guy with a humble heart. He recently stopped working his secular job to follow the Lord's leading into full time ministry. His current guitar is giving him problems and I don't believe he can afford to purchase a new right now. This is why I believe he should be given this wonderful guitar.
Angela Melanson, for Ryan Paonessa
Hello judging panel for the DA guitar give a way, this is a great opportunity to bless a Jesus loving, hard working pastor in Chilliwack, and his wife. I, Alison, had it on my heart, back in 2009 to somehow provide a guitar for Matt after Chris and I saw him at a DA open house a years earlier. I talked to him at that time and he said he would love one, but couldn't afford it. On a pastors salary, no kidding. I first met Matt back in 1999, I believe, when we volunteering as leaders at Charis Camp in Rosedale. He was a teen then, just getting established in his journey with the Lord. He has led worship since then, and has gone on to pastor, and is married to Ashley. Though we aren't in contact, its awesome to see through the gravevine, and media what the Lord is accomplishing with Matt and Ashley. It would great to bless Matt and Ashley with a DA guitar! My hubby really enjoys his DA, so I think it would be cool to spread the joy of owning and playing a DA to another fellow guitar enthusiast! Respectfully, the Rachel's
Chris and Alison Rachel, for Matt Rempel
Sam is as kind of a man that you will find. He is on our worship team and doesnt know the word no when you ask of his help. He has a strong connection with God and serves tirelessly. I'm grateful to have him as a friend and in our ministry
Arthur Stephens, for Sam Camden
Andrew is a young and upcoming leader in our church. He has a heart for the local church but also for the nations. He has a heart to serve in any way he can (and does) but is gifted in the area of worship. He is allowig the Lord to train him through older mature leadership which has already taken him to foreign countries. He has turned around and what has been planted in his heart is now sowing into the young lives at our church school. He is endeavoring to reach out to those his same age in the classes he attends at his university. I think winning this guitar would enable him in the work and calling of the Lord and hopefully open the door to share a wonderful testimony of God's blessing and provision.
Sandy Floyd, for Andrew Fajkus
Keith Provence is the worship leader of the church where we are members, West Baptist Church in Batesville, Arkansas. I have known Keith my entire life - he and I grew up together in church. Keith is a great man of God who leads us in very spiritually uplifting worship every Sunday. He puts in several hours a week collaborating with our pastor in planning the worship service and rehearsing with our praise team and praise band; Keith does these things voluntarily, and does not want to receive any pay or any recognition for what he does. He just loves the Lord and wants to serve Him in any capacity that he can. Keith has played the guitar since his early teens, and he has even written and recorded several Christian songs.
Keith is a building contractor by trade; last spring, he utilized his building skills for the Lord by traveling to Nicaragua with a group of men from our church to help build a house for a missionary in a small, rural community. This missionary and his family had been living in a Sunday School classroom in their church building, and did not have indoor plumbing or kitchen facilities. Keith and the other men from West Baptist followed up after another church group and plumbed, wired, and put a roof on the house. I think winning the Duncan Africa guitar would be a terrific way to recognize the work Keith Provence does for the Lord.
Paul Barrett, for Keith Provence
Scott has a great heart for the Lord and is an authentic leader of worship. He's been a stellar volunteer in our young church (6 year old church plant) and he's gone over and above to help encourage our church to worship fully. He's got a great ear toward both the past songs of worship and current songs and does a nice job with his laid back style. I believe he is ready for a step up in his worship leading toolkit and this guitar could help!
Ben Bauman, for Scott Viner
She's my wife, the love of my life and the best thing in the my life bar Christ. She was actively involved in music ministry before marriage and kids happened. I'd love for her to be able to minister to us again, and this would be the perfect gift not only to show my love and support, but to spur her on as well. She's really gifted :)
McAnthony Ben-Ameh, for Tongriang Ben-Ameh
