A Note From Miss Lesley :: CTI Music Ministries
Hi friends! You may have noticed the little note above this post explaining that this beloved blog will be taking a hiatus for the next year (eek!), and I thought I would explain a little more as to why I've decided to take break from art & design blogging, and also let you know a little more about the year I have ahead with CTI Music Ministries and why I chose to take part in this awesome adventure.
In addition to art and design I've always had a passion for singing, and I grew up singing in school choirs, taking part in community musical theatre, taking vocal lessons, and learning to play piano. Although I totally loved doing all of this as a kid and was lucky enough to be gifted with musical talents, somewhere along the way I developed some mad wicked stage fright. And throughout my teens and early twenties, despite the fact that I looooove to sing, I would only ever sing alone. (Usually in my car, with the music cranked up super loud!) A couple of years ago I decided that it was time to get over being afraid to sing, and I started taking steps to do this. Let me just say that this was not easy; in fact, I would use the word TERRIFYING. I started leading musical worship at my homechurch, and every week (despite the fact I was shaking and very nervous) I would bring my guitar and lead a few songs for my friends. Last summer I got the chance to audition for a vocalist position on the worship team at my church. I learned the songs, practiced for a week...and then almost didn't get out of the car at the audition. I firmly believe that the only reason I've been able to overcome my fear of performing is God. Every time I felt afraid, or nervous, or insecure about performing I would pray for the strength to be able to get up, get out, and sing. Fast forward to now, where I'm singing a couple times a month on stage at church with a wicked backup band (and not just singing, I would use the term ROCKING OUT!), singing background vocals with Shawn Clarke at various gigs around Toronto, and giving up my home and my job to join a team of musicians that travel around the world ministering to youth through music. Holy potatoes, has this girl come a long way in a couple of years! At this point, you couldn't shut me up if you tried.
My interest in missions work had been sparked at church, after a presentation about a missions trip to Africa. Although Africa specifically wasn't for me, the idea of traveling to help others captured my interest and stuck with me. After posting (for what might have been the millionth time!) on my blog about wanting to be a rockstar, a friend told me about CTI. CTI's work combines three things that Lesley super-loves: music, kids, and missions. And the rest, they say, is history.
Here's a little summary of what CTI is all about. The text is taken from their website, and the video was made by one of this year's full-time team members:
Here's a little summary of what CTI is all about. The text is taken from their website, and the video was made by one of this year's full-time team members:
CTI is a community of young people who combine their common passion for music with their mutual desire to share the love of Christ, and a vehicle through which these young people are trained, equipped and mobilized into ministry opportunities where they can use their gifting to impact their generation. We help ministry organizations around the world reach young people with the gospel by providing the unique resource of a well-trained music team - strengthening and challenging Christians in places where they gather, and bringing the light of Jesus to places where He may not be known. We disciple team members through life in Christian community, service within a global network of established partnerships, and quality training that emphasizes spiritual formation, servanthood, character growth and leadership development. We desire to see all team members leave their CTI experience with an expanded worldview, a more missional mindset, and a continuing desire to impact their world by embracing ministry and discipleship as lifelong commitments.
Because of the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual commitment CTI requires for the year I'm away, my online access will be pretty limited. At first I thought I would be able to keep up regular posting on this blog, but as I get more prepared for the trip I've realized that even if I'm able to get online to work, that's not what the year away is about. I need to be totally focused on the team, the music, and the mission. After lots of prayer and thinking I've decided it's best to hold things here so that my focus can be fully on my work with CTI. Does putting my blog on hiatus mean that I'll lose a bunch of readers over the next year, and do I know that it's going to be tough to build things back up on my blog when I return in August 2010? Sure. And that sucks. But you know what? I think it will be totally worth it. When you give yourself fully to something you're passionate about, in spite of the hardships and challenges along the way, you will be blessed in so many ways for following your heart and your true calling.
And never fear my loves, I've started a new blog! Although the updating will be limited (perhaps only biweekly or monthly), I've created it to share personal stories, photos, and videos from my musical rockstar adventure. And I hope that you'll come check it out at lesleydenfordadventure.blogspot.com.
So, until next year...
PS. If you're one of those peeps that's down with praying, I would totally appreciate your prayers and kind thoughts for my journey! And if you feel called to financially support my trip with CTI, you can donate with the pretty button up near the top on the right, or click here. My goal is to raise $12,000 USD, and while I'm almost there (yay!), I still have a little ways to go and every dollar helps CTI fund this awesome mission.
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