ELEVATE X "POP UP" CHURCH - THE REMIX

Audrey French and praise team.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Within music culture, there is the term called the “Remix.”

A remix is when the producer or beat maker takes the existing original song and improves upon the song by changing a variety of things, either the pitch, the tempo, the melody, or the entire musical arrangement. Sometimes a new artist can be asked to sing a verse on the new track. Or perhaps the producer samples new sounds and adds to the new composition.

Often, the remixed songs sound way better than the original. The concept of the remix came about when a producer who was listening to a DJ play music and was unhappy with the DJ’s inability to keep the music playing continuously.

Because of the listener’s frustration with the musical situation, he decided to go home and create something completely new.

The remix in a spiritual context can be applied, we have God the master producer and sound engineer. He takes each of our lives and is constantly remixing them by improving on the older original work.

Elevate X “Pop UP” Church was an alternative church gathering for young adults. It took place on October 20-22 at the Social Eyez Lounge on the Campus of Burman University.

Pastor Ron Sydney sharing a powerful message.

The theme was The Remix. The guest praise and worship leader was Audrey French from Edmonton. She had an amazing praise team with highly skilled and talented musicians. Audrey and the team ushered in a spirit of worship with contemporary gospel songs that spoke to the heart.

The guest speaker was Pastor Ron Sydney, who currently pastors in Ventura, California.

Lunch at Indian Flame, Red Deer.

Pastor Ron is a gifted speaker who was able to use his uncanny ability to connect with all people. He shared personal stories and messages from the Bible to reinforce the theme that, God is able to remix our lives and create a newness of life within us.

An interesting portion of the weekend was the DJ. Pastor Mathew Feeley, who is currently pastoring in Oshawa, ON. Feeley has a powerful story. He grew up in the streets of Toronto, with drugs and alcohol, but he had passion for creatively spinning records on the turntable. One day he walked off the streets of Scarborough into the Scarborough Adventist Church to hear preaching from an evangelistic crusade. That fateful day changed his life forever. He felt the calling of God on his life and became a pastor.

Pastor Lyle Notice with pastor JP Deximo. Pastors Ron, Lyle, and Matt – evidence of God remixing our lives.

Not only did God remix his life for good, but now he is using his turntables as a ministry to reach the unreached.

Pastor Lyle Notice with pastor JP Deximo.

The weekend was a true blessing with the evidence of God pushing the needle on change in our lives. Perhaps in our day with constant change, God is looking for new and creative ways to express his love and create community. Although we know “God is the same yesterday, today and forever,” perhaps he doesn’t want us to always continue to do the same things in the context of faith gatherings. Perhaps he wants to change, enhance or improve what we already have. Perhaps he is looking for a REMIX!

By Dr. Lyle Notice, Youth Director, Alberta Conference