Jesus Week // Adam Cox
Written by Allie Sampson
Photographed by JD Gravitt and Sydnee Mela
Every week of the 18 Inch Journey has a specific theme or focus. Week one is Father week and this year Jonathan led us through God the Father: what He is like and His deep love for us. Last week was Jesus week and we were honored to have our dear friend Adam Cox here to share with us. Adam and his wife Juli lead Navah Church in Kansas City, MO and have been very close friends with Jonathan and Melissa for years. Each year, Adam comes and teaches at our school during Jesus week unpacking the story of Jesus in a way that unlocks our hearts and reintroduces us to who He really is. This year, our eyes and hearts were opened as he taught the importance of going from being familiar with the story of Jesus to being fascinated by Him. Our staff and students were invited to drink in the Gospel again and open ourselves up to be transformed by it and changed by it as though it was our first time hearing it. After breaking open the scriptures, Adam broke bread and served our entire school communion, looking each one in the eyes and declaring that they are the Beloved of Jesus Christ.
Each year, after Adam leaves, we find that it was not just the sessions with him that affected us, but that he truly set a spark inside our hearts. Just like the two that journeyed on the road to Emmaus with Jesus, we look back at our time with Adam and find that our hearts are burning within us as we have begun to see who Jesus really is. Many of Adam’s teachings, including his teaching on the God Story, can be found at http://www.navahchurchkc.com/god-story. We encourage you to check it out and pray that you too would find your heart burning with a deeper love for Jesus.
2015 18 Inch Journey is Underway
Written by Allie Sampson
Photographed by JD Gravitt and Sydnee Mela
Last spring, our community took a step of faith and invited the world to partner with us in our dream for discipleship. At the beginning of April, we launched our 18 Inch Journey Housing Campaign, where we invited you to help us raise the funds we needed to build new cabins to host our next group of 18 Inch Journey students. Since then, we have been blown away by the generosity of the Father through your support. We have received contributions from over 700 generous donors, who have given a collective total of $132,500! That’s an average donation of $190! How incredible! But the donations are only the beginning. As the 18 Inch Journey started last week, we felt incredible joy in knowing that we are standing in the middle of your support, and it is through that generosity that lives are being changed.
On September 14th, we welcomed 32 new students onto the land of A Place for the Heart. As a community we could hardly contain our excitement. We typically host the 18 Inch Journey in the summer, but this year is our first time hosting the school in the autumn. On that Monday, the air started to cool and we felt the transition of the season. It was as though the Father was singing back through the air that the time was right, and we were giddy with anticipation. These 32 students have come from far away lands and from neighboring counties. Between them, there are 6 countries and 14 states represented here in the woods of Sophia, North Carolina. Though they come from different regions and have different stories, one thing remains the same: they have all come for Jesus, and He is meeting their hearts in incredible ways.
As we look forward to the 50 days ahead, we are confident that the Father is doing a brilliant work. Already hearts are being healed and sons and daughters are waking up to their identity as the Beloved of Jesus Christ. Our Father is faithful to finish what He has started, and the beginning has already been so sweet. To everyone who contributed toward the housing campaign, made a donation at a worship night, or supported us monthly, thank you! We can confidently say that you truly are changing the world one bunk at a time. We invite all of you to continue praying and dreaming with us in this exciting season! We cannot wait to share with you the stories of what the Father has done.
18 Inch Journey Retreat: Testimonies
We just recently held our first-ever 18 Inch Journey Retreat for adults ages 26 - 40. The retreat spanned 4 days and took place here on the grounds of A Place for the Heart. There were men and women hailing from more than 8 nations, some traveling from as far as South Africa! We packed the four days full of community, creativity and worship and gave God full permission to wreck our plans each day. Here are a few amazing testimonies from some of the men and women who came for the retreat:
From the moment I pulled in, I felt welcomed - expected - even known, though I had not met anyone else before. Everyone immediately felt like family. I was blown away at how easy it was to immediately let down walls and defenses, and to realize there were walls in me that I never even knew existed. I knew that you had truly cultivated a community of safety, vulnerability, and authentic, Jesus-focused love. I feel that everything you did with us each day modeled the invitation of the Father. I did not feel pressured into doing anything. I was invited, and eager to answer the invitation. - Taylor
The level of professionalism and excellence surrounded by love was unbelievable. God confirmed and revealed so many things to me I was astonished at times and almost in a state of laughter. I know God set me up for some incredible experiences through Him and the staff. - David H.
I really didn't know what to expect. I just knew I was supposed to be there. I will forever remember my time there as the first place that I saw Jesus face to face. I have been a Christian for a while but I have never seen him like I encountered Him that weekend. - Misty
Personally I feel peace like never before. In the past I would be stressed and not know why, but now I’m learning to carry His sweet presence in a new way. We were greatly impacted and wrecked in a good way. We will soon be beginning to disciple and steward our worship community in our home through our church family; and we know being at the retreat was pivotal for knowing how to pour and serve our own community with excellence while pursuing Gods presence together. - Renee
18 Inch Journey Housing Campaign
For the next 30 days, we are running a campaign for new student housing. Our goal is to build three new cabins. Each of these cabins cost around $50,000 so we need to raise $150,000.
{click here to support the 18 Inch Journey Campaign}
Our Dream
Fifteen years ago, Melissa and I joined my mother and father on this 52 acre piece of land called “A Place for the Heart”, and launched a one week creative worship camp for high schoolers.
We wanted to create a place for them to encounter the freedom of the gospel of Jesus. This one-week camp grew into a two-month school, which grew into an extended internship, which then became a six-month second phase of the school. Along the way, as we have grown, we’ve intentionally kept our schools smaller, and more intimate in nature. Our desire is to be face to face with the students that come, to sit and eat at a table together, and pour into their lives in a personal way. Today, we host Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the 18 Inch Journey, internships, and retreats, and have a full time staff running the schools with us every year. What was a small seed, the dream of God for this land, has fully blossomed.
Our Vision
My father started this ministry on a principle from Mother Theresa, “If you wait till you have what you think you need to do ministry, you’ll never do ministry.” God used the stick that was in Moses’ hand to deliver Israel from Egypt. We have used everything in our hands to host our first worship camp and many 18 Inch Journey schools since.
Over the past eight years, we’ve expanded, remodeled, and rearranged our buildings in every way imaginable to host our schools and retreats. We’ve turned barns into apartments and sheds into studios. With the expansion of our discipleship schools and internships, we simply need more space. We have maxed out the capacity of our facilities. Now we need your help to expand our housing for the dream to continue to grow.
Our History
Since 2008:
- Seven 18 Inch Journey schools
- Students coming from 26 states and 15 countries
- Total of 137 students who have been radically changed by the love of Jesus!
Our Need
We believe one bunk can change the world. More cabins means more bunks. More bunks means more hearts. And each heart that encounters the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will never be the same. Marriages, families, culture, cities, and nations will be blessed and impacted by the DNA of the sons and daughters who come to this land, setting apart a season to be with God, and family. Help us change the world by investing in this dream.
Our goal is to build three new cabins for student housing. Each of these cabins cost around $50,000 so we need to raise $150,000.
- $50,000 we can build One cabin
- $100,000 we can build Two cabins
- $150,000 we can build Three cabins
Our plan is to break ground in May, and have these cabins built before the start of our next 18 Inch Journey School in the Fall. The $150,000 goal is our first step toward a much larger vision for these 52 acres of land. In the last year we have designed a layout for the property with buildings, studios, classrooms, and cabins that stretch out across these beautiful rolling hills. To fulfill this ultimate goal we would need over 2 million dollars, so $150,00 is just a baby step, but it still feels like a giant leap! Any money that we raise above $150,000 will go into the many dreams we have for expanding the dream God has given us.
How you can be involved
We need your help. Here’s how you can be be involved:
- Make a pledge and claim one of our amazing perks.
- Help spread the word. This is a community effort and we would love your support, and the support of your community or church to reach our goal.
Your support will help this generation encounter Jesus, and equip them to live healthy and thriving lives. Thank you so much for considering giving to this dream. We could not do what we do without your help.
Click here to support the 18 Inch Journey Housing Campaign.
For more information about the 18 Inch Journey, check out: www.18inchjourney.com
Building a Fire - From Vol. II of the Eighteen Inch Journey Book
Written By Melissa Helser
Ink Drawing by Ken Helser
In the beautiful noise of my everyday, I am learning to listen. In the beautiful schedule of my everyday, I am learning to be flexible. In the beautiful mundane normal, I am learning to see extravagance in simple moments.
I love winter. I love the invitation it gives. My children notice that our family time grows and deepens in winter months. It gets darker earlier. We stop working sooner. We linger at the dinner table longer. We become slower in a fantastic way. We make fires and sit in the warmth of its presence.
Why is a fire so magical, so inviting? When the fireplace is full of flame and generously giving warmth, it casts a spell over our home. It woos the heart to breathe deeper. It calls to the soul to stop and sit and be still. I am learning to be present in these moments, to give in. My son asked me today if he could start a fire. It was 65 degrees outside, not quite cold enough for a raging fire. He was persistent and kept insinuating how cold he was. I told him that I didn’t know if he was old enough to build a fire, and he proudly said, “I am, Dad taught me. He even taught me how to cut kindling and use his hatchet.” I suddenly realized it had nothing to do with the fire and everything to do with his desire to show me how grown up he is. I smiled and relinquished the thought of sweating while doing homeschool. “Okay, you can build one.” He was pumped.
I went through my normal mom advice: “Be careful.”
“I will be, Mom.”
“If you play around with a hatchet you can cut your hand off…”
“I know, Mom,” he assured me.
The door shut. Thirty minutes later he came in with four pieces of wood. It took him forever, but he was so proud. He proceeded to carefully build a fire in our wood stove just like Jonathan had taught him. I kept asking if he needed help, and he kept assuring me not to worry; he knew exactly what he was doing. He finally had it lit and didn’t even use the fire starter sticks that I always use. “Mom, come and see. Look! I did it.” It was glorious—the fire and the look on his face. We just sat and stared at it. After a few minutes, he began to doubt that it would keep burning. I could hear the tone of the perfectionist coming out in his self-criticism. “I don’t think I did it right. I should have used the starters. I am not good at this.” I was astounded by how quickly the overwhelming fear of failure rushed in the room. I am learning to see it quicker and, as a mother, champion the beauty of my kids’ hearts. “Cadence, this fire is amazing—you did a great job! I think we should leave it, shut the doors of the wood stove and let it do its magic.” We sat down at the kitchen table and began school again. Distracted by our lesson, he forgot about the fire. Until Jonathan walked in the door. “Who made that fire?” We both turned and looked—it was roaring. A glorious smile swept over his face.
His father’s approval sealed the deal.
I hope and pray that I continue to have the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to know when these moments are happening all around me and inviting me to come and feast at the table. Even as I write, I am overcome with emotion that my son is almost thirteen and life is moving like a rushing river that won’t be stopped. If I want to experience it, I have to get in it. I have to leave behind all my have-to’s and should-have’s and what-if’s and just give in. My kids invite me into these moments without even knowing it. It is what I love the most about them. I love that all his fear of failure, even in a simple moment, was swallowed up in his father’s approval. I pray in this moment that the seemingly insignificant moments of your life that have made you feel like a failure will be gloriously interrupted with the Father’s smile. That you would feel the Father of Fathers walk into your heart and honor the places you are truly desiring to grow and mature. That His smile would be that warmth, covering you and surrounding you with a beautiful “Well done.”
--
This writing is featured in the newest Eighteen Inch Journey Book entitled Volume II : The Clarity that Winter Brings. To find out more about Volume I & II or to order a copy of either volume, click here to visit our online store.
The History Book
The Cageless Birds are proud to introduce the History Book. A History Book is a huge part of our rhythms in the Eighteen Inch Journey. It is a visual journal that centers around the power of remembrance and celebrating life with God. Many of you will never be able to come to the 18 Inch Journey, but this is an invitation to take part in one of the pillars of the school.
We’ve included a travel pack of water colors and one history book prompt written by Justina Stevens with directions and examples to help you take the risk of creativity. These beautiful books are packed full of thick water color paper and bound with beautiful distressed leather. This book is perfect for the active artist or those ready to make the plunge into creative discovery.
Available in our store.
-Cageless Birds
Collaboration with Bethel Music
We are very excited and honored to announce our partnership with Bethel Music as part of their Artist Collective. We wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of Bethel Music and Bethel Church. This is an amazing opportunity for us to collaborate and partner with the Kingdom of God on the west coast and all over the world. We couldn’t imagine joining a more amazing family of worshipers and musicians. We look forward to the new sounds and songs that will come out of this beautiful relationship.
With the benefits of this great collaboration, the majority of our ministry will still look and stay the same throughout the year. We will still journey with the growing community here in North Carolina and A Place for the Heart. We will continue leading the 18 Inch Journey and The Cageless Birds Collective. For the past 14 years, we have been serving the ministry of A Place for the Heart through discipling students, leading worship and pouring our hearts into this land. We have cultivated a beautiful community of artists and friends that are pursuing God and each other with their whole hearts. We are dedicated to our community in North Carolina and our collaboration with Bethel Music serves the greater dream of bringing heaven to earth.
We are excited to share our talents with the Bethel Music family. This opportunity allows us to continue to write music and lead worship in our own way while strengthening and serving our ministry. This year holds some very amazing new projects and albums, so stay tuned for more updates throughout the year.
-Jonathan & Melissa
Closing of a Season
2014 Phase Two Students
Written by Allie Sampson
Photographed by Sydnee Mela & JD Gravitt
On Friday night, our staff gathered together and sat down at a beautiful table to eat a meal and talk about what the Lord has done over the past few months. At one point in the night, Melissa brought up how crazy it was to look back over the past 6 months and look at all of the things that our community has done. Since January, we have released an album, completed 4 building projects, released the 18 Inch Journey book, opened an online store and hosted 7 worship nights in Asheboro, NC. As we reflect on all of these things, we are blown away by the extravagance and faithfulness of the Lord who has tended so beautifully to our dreams. We are so thankful to the Father for each of these projects, but by far, we are most thankful for the two schools that we have started and completed over the past six months.
Wednesday night, we closed our 7th 18 Inch Journey school with an extravagant closing dinner. It was a lovely night of reminiscing and remembering all that the Trinity had done in the 32 students who came. Tonight, we host another closing dinner as we end our 6-month school. Phase 2 is for 18 Inch Journey alumni and is a deeper dive into the rhythms and values taught during the Journey. In February, 12 students returned to the land for Phase 2 and since then, they have been participating in creative classes, small groups, impartation sessions and serving the 18 Inch Journey through servant leadership. We have journeyed with them deeply and are exceedingly proud of each one of them.
The 2014 18 Inch Journey
This evening, our entire community will join together to celebrate the brilliance of the Father and how much He has done in each one of the twelve. We will hear from each of them as they read their final exit statement, proclaiming how they have seen the Lord since they’ve been here. We will seal their hearts with declarations: statements we’ve crafted that acknowledge what we’ve seen in their hearts and affirm the Goodness of God in their lives. We will set a beautiful table, prepare an extraordinary meal, laugh deeply and cry frequently as we honor the journey of their lives and the amazing plans that the Father has intricately woven together for them. It has been our deepest privilege to get to walk with them and lead them over the past 6 months and we are certain that even better things are ahead of them. Their lives are full of hope because they have cultivated friendship and surrendered themselves to the leadership of the best friend and leader they could ever have: the Holy Spirit.
After saying our goodbyes, our community will be taking some time off to visit friends and family. We will come back together in the Fall to continue dreaming with the Father and to press more into what He is doing here at A Place for the Heart. Blog updates and the Cageless Birds store will resume their normal activity in September. We pray that you have a beautiful and restful August.
Papa Ken Time
Written by Allie Sampson
Photographed by JD Gravitt
As a staff, one of our favorite elements of the 18 Inch Journey is the amount of surprises that we tuck within the 60 days. However, the way that we find ourselves catching the most traction is within the schedule that we dream up with the Father. Before the students arrive, the full 60 days are intentionally prayed over and mapped out by our Core Staff. In planning, we carve out specific times for consistent classes or blocks, which we refer to as rhythms.
We use the word rhythms because these classes and activities that we keep coming back to set the cadence and the pace for the summer. They are the beautiful boundaries that we operate within; they keep us on track and create safety through consistency.
One of our favorite rhythms during the school is Papa Ken Time. Papa Ken Time is a chance that the students have to sit down with the founding father of this land, a true pioneer in the faith, and ask him questions and hear his heart. Every weekday morning, Ken meets with one of the five small groups over breakfast. Often times, Ken will share something that has been on his heart, something that he felt the Lord share with him in their time together earlier in the morning. In addition, Papa Ken frequently shares from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. The students have the opportunity to glean wisdom from someone who has gone before them – to ask questions that they have on their hearts and learn from someone who has so much to teach and share.
In addition to weekly Papa Ken Time, Ken and his wife Mrs. Linda invite each small group up to their house for a Sunday Lunch during the school. During these Sunday lunches, the students get to have more intentional time hearing family stories and learning more about Ken and Linda and A Place for the Heart. These times with Ken and Linda are one of the greatest gifts the students receive during the summer.
As young people, it is extremely rare to have someone who is generations ahead of us that wants to intentionally invest in our lives, pray for us and answer our questions. Our community is exceedingly grateful for Papa Ken and the way that he has chosen to give his life to see our generation fall more in love with Jesus. Many times, including this summer, he has chosen to decline overseas ministry trips, just so that he can pour into the students who have come to be here. So many of the staff have had seasons where we have been invited to sit around Ken’s table and hear his stories and each of us that have had this opportunity have been forever changed because of it.
Heart and Art
Written by Allie Sampson
Photographed JD Gravitt
The 18 Inch Journey is built on the pillars of Creativity, Community and Worship. Though it isn’t necessarily an art school, we do a lot of art. We love creativity in all forms. We are a community of photographers, artists, writers, musicians, cinematographers, chefs, bookmakers and dancers. What we love most about art is the way that it is so expressive of the heart. Art, in all true forms, is a mirror that reflects what is going on inside of the heart of the artist.
Every Tuesday and Friday, our students participate in a rotation that we call Art/Heart. During this time, the students are split into two groups. The first group spends the first half of the time in an art class with Justina while the second group spends the time in a session where one of the staff members shares something they wrote for the Eighteen Inch Journey book. The students spend an hour and a half in the session and then switch—the students who were in Art go to the Heart session, and the students in the Heart session make their way to Art.
In the art classes, the students typically spend time working in their history books. History books are an artistic tradition at the 18 Inch Journey. A history book is a space to creatively log your history with the Lord. In the art sessions, Justina along with the Art Interns, Kateland and Lindsay, teach art lessons on color theory, line quality and technique. Additionally, the students are given various art assignments, referred to as prompts, to explore their heart and the work of their hands. These lessons and prompts are completed in the students’ history books. Some of the students that come to the Journey are art majors and others have never held a paintbrush in their hand. There are all levels of experience, and in the art barn, all of the students are working alongside one another creating and discovering who they truly are as artists.
In the heart session, the students have an opportunity to hear from one of our staff members and learn more about their personal journey and experience. Each session, a different staff member leads the students through a piece that they submitted to the Eighteen Inch Journey book. The Journey students get a chance to listen and ask questions and are often given a prompt to complete in their journal. At the last Art/Heart session, Chris Miller shared on the Goodness of God and his experience of hearing from a farmer at an orange grove in Valencia, FL (pg. 49 of the Eighteen Inch Journey book). Chris then released the students to craft a prayer to the Father about His Goodness.
We have found that these times we’ve set aside for Art and Heart are a beautiful way that the students are finding themselves coming more and more alive. They are simultaneously discovering their true identity and from that, they are unearthing their identity as artists. They are choosing to let the Father soften their hearts and are bravely embracing the creativity of the Trinity and in doing so, they are becoming so vibrant and full of life.
Jessie Miller Teaches on Words & Poetry
Open Mic Night
Written by Allie Sampson, Writer for Cageless Birds
Photographs by JD Gravitt
Last Thursday night, we began one of our favorite parts of the 18 Inch Journey: Open Mic Nights. These nights are a chance for the students to share their songs, poetry, art, photographs, dances and any other creative expression that they have found themselves coming alive in. Open Mic Nights are so special to us as a family because these are the moments where we get to celebrate the students, to champion their greatness and to affirm that they are seen and heard. We set aside three of these nights during the school and encourage all of the students to participate at least once. We believe in creating environments for the students to be seen and heard without any comparison– a place for them to share their voice in the safety of family.
So much of the 18 Inch Journey is discovering that we are not defined by our giftings. Though our gifts are a beautiful part of who we are, they do not make up our identity. We are sons and daughters first, loved before we ever set our hands to anything, believed in before we even attempt prove ourselves worthy. When we come to that place of confidence and security, knowing that the Father loves us and is proud of us regardless of our abilities or success, we can create and explore without the pressure to strive or produce. We are set free as artists when we step into our identity as beloved children.
There is nothing that excites our community more than seeing people walking in their true identity and embracing their gifts from a place of wholeness. The 18 Inch Journey students blew us away on Thursday night as they shared songs and poems that they had written. After sharing their heart, every student was met with a standing ovation and wild cheering as their fellow students and leaders celebrated their brilliance and their bravery. Standing ovations are not something we have taught these students, it’s simply something they began to initiate as they have learned to love, honor and celebrate their friends. We were joyfully overwhelmed by each of the students, as they shared with us and as they championed each other, walking out of comparison and into wholeness as confident, creative sons and daughters.
Journey Moments: The Journey Begins // Adam Cox Teaches
“Live at Home” Chord Charts
Cottage Update
As a community, we treasure each heart that comes to A Place for the Heart and we work very hard to make sure that every student that comes to the 18 Inch Journey is seen, loved and discipled. We feel the invitation from the Lord to grow and expand while still preserving the intentionality of family that the Trinity has taught us. As the schools continue to grow, we are expanding our number of staff and interns to help lead the schools and tend to all of the inner workings of A Place for the Heart. All of this growth simply means that we need more space. A new cottage will allow us to accept more students, offer better housing and spread out into smaller groups.
To learn more or give please visit: 18inchjourney.com/18/support.
You can make checks payable to “A Place for the Heart”
From One Generation to the Next
Sophia, NC 27350
The Opening Dinner
It’s fitting that we begin every 18 Inch Journey around the table.
On June 1, we welcomed our 31 new students to their place at the table. It’s always a joy to see the fresh faces as they eagerly walk up the hill to the Farmhouse. We assign each student to a specific table and designate their place with a special name tag. Recently, we expanded the kitchen in the Farmhouse and it is our joy to cook meals. Jonathan and Melissa opened the night by welcoming the students. Then the first of four small groups read their declarations over the students. We enjoyed each course of the meal followed by declarations. After dessert and the last group of declarations, the students introduced themselves and shared what they’re looking to get out of the 18 Inch Journey. We ended the night by praying over each student and agreeing with the plans of the Father for this summer.
A summer in the woods can change your life. The gluten free chocolate cake from Linda Helser can help. Jesus made breakfast for His boys on the beach and emphasized the importance of meals with many stories in scripture centered around food. He spent time around food and modeled family time around the dinner table. We believe a generation will find their identity as sons and daughters when they find their place at the table. The table is not just a place for your cup and plate. The table is a place for stories and a place where brothers and sisters share their hearts. So we began at the table on June 1 and we will continue to spend many more meals around the table. The journey from the head to the heart begins with the invitation to find our place at the table. May we taste and see that the Lord is good and in so tasting find ours identities in Him.
Endless Ocean, Bottomless Sea
This album is more than just a new project for us; it is an invitation to step into more of God's heart. The title "Endless Ocean, Bottomless Sea" is a phrase that encapsulates the passion of our lives.
Fourteen years ago I had a dream that began with me standing on the shores of an ocean. As I looked into the sea, I saw Jesus standing in the water with a smile on His face. With an irresistible love in His eyes, he motioned for me to come into the deep with Him. Before I stepped into the water, I looked over my shoulder and saw a generation of young people behind me on the shore. They followed me into the water until we disappeared into the ocean of His love.
This is our vision and the bigger dream of our music: That a generation would leave the shores of fear and religion and follow Jesus into His endless love.
We are more than just songwriters and artists, for the last 14 years Melissa and I have been co-leading “A place for the Heart" with my Mom and Dad. We do much more than just travel and play gigs. We are leading schools, internships and doing kingdom community year-round. The band that plays with us are more than just musicians, they are full time staff with us, giving their lives to disciple this generation. Every album that we have sold has gone to support this dream.
Last summer students traveled from five nations and over a dozen states to take part in our school "The 18 inch Journey." This year we have already accepted students from over ten nations and have had such a flood of applications for our school, we will have had to turn away many potential students due to the lack of space. A generation is truly standing on the shores looking for more and we need more space to host them. Last year we built a new kitchen, worship space and art studio for our school. As of right now we have paid off over half of the $140,000 dollar budget and only have $60,000 left. We are believing that we can clear this debt quickly, so we can start building even more space for this coming generation.
We are looking for those who want to dream with us. We are a small ministry dreaming big dreams, and we need your support to make these dreams reality. Every album that you buy and any support you give will go toward this vision:
That a generation would leave the shores of fear and religion and follow Jesus into His endless love.
Click Here to Support this Vision
Click here to Purchase the New Album
Jonathan David Helser
Upcoming House Recording
"A Place for the Heart," where God's blessings have been so
incredible that it almost feels too good to be true. One of those
is that my Dad is not only my physical father, but my spiritual
father too. Over the years he has instilled many core values
into my life. One in particular that has always pierced my heart
is this: “Home is where we live out what we like to preach about.”
More than just words, my dad has dared to live it out.
For the last 5 years Melissa and I have had the privilege of leading
schools and internships. Out of the many students that have come
here, the Lord has chosen a handful to stay and partner with us. More
than becoming staff, they have become family. Four of them make up
our full time band. They have literally traveled around the globe
with us making music. This year we decided to take a few weeks in the
winter and record an album with this amazing community. The unique
approach to this album is we are going to record all the music in our
home. Our desire is to create more than just another album, in an
over saturated market of music. We want to capture the beautiful
sound of a community worshiping together. Richard Foster said "All
good books are written in community." I think the same is true with
music. We invited each member of the band to contribute a song. The
songs that we have chosen are the melodies that have carried us into
the Lord's presence as a community. For the last few years our staff
has been meeting in the mornings to begin the day with worship. We
also meet every Tuesday evening in our home to worship and commune
with His presence. I can honestly say that we have worshiped more in
the secret place than we have on the stages we played on around the
world. The sounds and songs of this album are truly going to be an
overflow of the rhythms of worship we have cultivated as a community.
We also felt led to capture these songs in the beauty of video.
Youtube has become the radio of this culture, and we want a generation
to taste and see the love of God in these songs. We want to open a
window and let the world see the remarkable presence of Lord that is
resting here at "A Place for the Heart."
The core value of my parent’s journey has become the beautiful
foundation of all of us here, whom we affectionately call, “The Farm
Family.” This place that the Father has carved out for us is where we
are getting to sing the songs of our lives. I believe that our
ministry is really successful when it looks like family. Remember the
words of Jesus. "I only do what I see my Father do." Everything the
Son of God did in his ministry was an overflow of his relationship
with Father. Please watch our website in 2013 for the release of this
new project. ––– Jonathan David Helser
One take video from Herrnhut, Germany
A few weeks ago I was able to visit Herrnhut, Germany. I have been dreaming about visiting this place for a long time. In this little village 24/7 prayer rose for over 100 years and a mission movement was launched that changed history. I wrote the song "The Reward" after hearing the story of the two first missionaries sent from this town. They left their homes and families ready to sell there lives into slavery to reach an island of slaves. As their ship left the shores they cried out "May the lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering." You can still feel their cry resounding in the land.
On the last day of my visit I was able to get the keys to the prayer tower that over looks the village. From the top of this tower you can see the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Heaven has touched earth in some amazing ways in this place. I had a last minute idea, to shoot a one take video of "The Reward" song from the tower. Click here to see the video we captured from Herrnhut.