Christ Church Choir – Vanessa Maddoux Ministries

Japan Missions & The Christ Church Choir

Posted on July 21, 2015July 21, 2015 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Blog, Christ Church Choir, Missions, Music

“Now I become a Christian. On Christmas Sunday in 2014, I was baptized. I believe that if Christ Church Choir didn’t come to me, I would not accept Jesus and I would still sing Gospel as just only music. But now, I can sing Gospel as the essence of Bible, “God’s words”. ~ Momoko

I read this testimony of Momoko and it still seems surreal that God would use members of a church choir from Nashville, Tennessee to go all the way to Japan, singing Gospel music, to bring the message of the Gospel to so many people searching for a real encounter with God.

It was about three days into my recent mission to Japan that I realized God had sent me on a “Christ Church” missions trip and I just didn’t know it! After three life-changing trips to Japan ministering with the Christ Church Choir music team, I returned to Japan in April this year for 10 non-stop days of music ministry. Everywhere I went, the reputation and stories of the music ministry from Christ Church went before me and I was welcomed and honored in both familiar and new cities & venues. At every concert, there were other pastors/ministers/teachers attending who extended invitations for me to return and bring this Gospel music to their church or organization. I met 2 ministers at my first concert who traveled 6 hours to come that day because they wanted to meet with me and request that I please come back and bring Gospel music concerts to their area.

Gospel music has made an impact in Japan that is hard to explain. The Japanese people enjoy the soulful musical style but are also compelled by the spirit that moves through this music. Both Christian and non-Christian people enjoy gathering to sing these soulful Gospel songs! As Jesus is lifted up, He draws people to himself and this truly is happening through Gospel music in Japan. After every concert, I met people who came to me overwhelmed with emotion, speaking of the powerful presence of God that they experienced. Some of them spoke of feeling healing while others simply said they felt the “light” and “holiness” of God during the concert.

The first Music Missions team trips to Japan by the Christ Church Choir began in 2011. From that mission, there was one young girl who was baptised and since that time there have been 8 total baptisms in direct response to the ministry of the Christ Church Choir music missions: Mika, Naohiro, Masashi, Toshi, Yumi, Tomoka, Momoko and Mamiko. The most recent baptism was of Mamiko Tani who came to my first concert in April and when the concert concluded, she spoke to our host, Pastor Yasunori and told him she decided that day that she wanted to be baptised and make a public confession of faith in Jesus! We know that many others have been impacted by the music ministry and have come to know Christ during this time but these are the ones we know have also followed through with water baptism.

I am also happy to report that each of these new Christians are growing in their faith and some are even teaching Bible classes at churches & universities! Seeing each of them volunteering in their churches, growing in their knowledge of the Word and continuing with their love of Gospel music is truly a blessing.

Along with the yearly trips to Japan by the CCChoir teams, there have been other ministers, like myself, who have been able to follow in the path paved by the ministry of the Christ Church Choir. Pastor Dan has ministered in Japan along with Geron Davis & Kindred Souls, Wayne & Elizabeth Goodine, Jaimee Paul & Leif Shires, Elicia Brown and most recently, myself.

Each summer, a team of Japanese students & adults come to Nashville lead by our friend, Pastor Yasunori Aoki. These visits are more than just a tourist trip to Music City USA but an opportunity for these young people to interact with Christians, stay in Christian homes and experience both a Christ Church Choir rehearsal & participate in a Sunday morning worship service. Each year, there have been salvation decisions directly connected to the influence & experience that the person had on this trip. Every host home is important and every meal served matters. It is all part of being the living Gospel to people who have never met Jesus.

The people of Japan are open. The Christian leaders in Japan are pleading for us to bring Gospel Music missions and the doors are open for Christ Church Nashville to continue to make an impact in Japan for the Kingdom of God.

“I can feel the presence of God through singing with Christ Church Choir. God touched my broken heart and made a new way to me… After singing with them, I looked around with my tears. I was surprised that Choir members were crying, too. I decided to be baptized at this time. I’d like to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I’d like to follow him through singing Gospel, just like Christ Church Choir! This unforgettable experience lead me to be Christian. I was Baptized in September 28 in 2014. Gospel becomes not only “music” but “living word” to me. I owe what I am now to Jesus and Christ Church Choir!” ~ Tomoka

Day 90: Japan Missions Funds

Posted on June 25, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Missions, Pic and a Prayer

Fundraising in swing! New Missions Vol3 cd and Japan tees available for $30 donation or more

Today, my prayer is for the upcoming Japan Missions trip. I am blessed to return to this amazing country and people that I have grown to love so much! I will be a part of the team from Christ Church who will be singing and ministering there this September. The ministry in Japan is primarily through Gospel concerts and music workshops conducted with college age music students. This is a great opportunity to build relationships and share about Christ with these students.

Today is an important fund-raising deadline for the whole team and we need about $25,000 to make the flight purchases for everyone. I personally still need about $1000 towards my fundraising goal.

There is a new Missions Vol3 cd and a new Japan tee (blue) available. Donations of $15 requested for each of these items. If you make a donation online and would like to receive one of these items, please contact me directly so that I can make arrangements to get this to you.

The prayer request for this trip is dual fold…

Enjoying a special Sukiyaki meal in the home of some of our new Japanese friends (2011)

1. For people to make donations so that the cost of everyone in this group will be provided.

2. PRAY for salvation experiences with Christ while we are there. The Gospel is preached in song and through our relationships that are built. I believe this trip will be both a sowing and reaping time spiritually. Please pray for open hearts and ears as we share Christ with these precious people.

Rehearsing for our concert with some of the Japanese choir members (2012)

If you would like to send a donation only, you can send a check with “Japan Missions – Vanessa” in the memo line to:
Christ Church Nashville
15354 Old Hickory Blvd. Nashville, TN 37211

You can also give online through these steps

Visit Christ Church Nashville’s giving site: www.ccnashville.infellowship.com/userlogin/new/
If you already have an account, enter your information and proceed to step 7. If you do not have an account, on the right of the page under “New User,” select “Register Here” (your information is completely secure and will NOT be shared with any other party)
Enter your information and select “Create an account” at the bottom of the page
View the verification email and click the link in the email
Type your information in the secured fields
Select the bottom “Your Giving” tab
Select the top right corner green “Give Now” tab
Under the “Give To” field, select “Mission Trip to Japan Offering” and select “Vanessa Maddoux” in the field directly to the right.
Enter the desired donation amount and press “Continue” on the bottom right corner and finalize the prompts

DAY 70 – Psalm 121

Posted on April 21, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Pic and a Prayer

Pastor Dan in rehearsal before the concert began this evening.

Tonight, my pastor, Dan Scott, did a live recording with the Christ Church Choir and some of Nashville’s finest musicians. He included several songs he has written through the years along with some classics. It was such a blessed evening! It was exciting and encouraging to see him truly shining as he offered his musical gifts to the Lord in such an authentic, genuinely heartfelt display of love for every part of his musical and spiritual heritage.

My prayer today is based on Psalm 121, which he sang of this evening… in Spanish.

Psalm 121

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Amen

DAY 66 – Pastor Dan Scott live concert

Posted on April 17, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Pic and a Prayer

Praying today for this live concert recording that will take place this Sunday evening. Thank you Lord for giving Steve Mauldin the vision for this project with Pastor Dan Scott that will bless so many people. Let these last few days of preparation be exciting and invigorating for Pastor Dan so that these songs that he’s written will flow out of him with anointing, passion and joy! Let all elements of this recording work together smoothly; sound technicians, musicians, singers, engineers and cameramen! Fill the house with people who have come to worship Jesus and rejoice.

DAY 48 – Jan Follis

Posted on March 20, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Pic and a Prayer

I can’t think of anyone who needs prayer this evening more than sweet Jan Follis, who will say one last good-bye tomorrow to her husband of 47 years, Buddy Follis. I went to the visitation this evening and stood in line for over an hour with what must have been hundreds of friends and family just to be able to hug her neck and offer some comfort, support and prayers. I could tell she was so appreciative of everyone being there but I could see the weariness in her eyes.

Please, as you read this whisper a prayer with me for her tonight. God gives us the grace we need to walk through times like this and she needs every bit of it for the day ahead of her tomorrow.

Jan, with her sister Denise. Worshiping together in the Christ Church Choir! Both are such a blessing to us.

Lord Jesus, when Jan finally crawls into bed tonight, would you wrap your arms around her, comfort her and sing her to sleep. You’ve said that you rejoice over us with singing… sing my sweet friend to sleep and give her supernatural physical and mental rest before she faces tomorrow. Your word says that there are new mercies for us every morning. Let Jan wake up feeling a new measure of mercy and grace to face the day. Touch her physical body so that she has strength throughout the whole day. Let this time of mourning be healing for her and not a time of heaviness… lift the heaviness. Death has lost and life, eternal life has won. Thank you thank you thank you Jesus for going to the cross for all of us and taking on death, giving us victory and life eternal. We actually have a HOPE in life because of you. We will see our loved ones again, with you in Heaven. Thank you for 47 wonderful years together for Jan and Buddy. Let the memories of a life well-lived be inspiration for Jan to press on and live out the remainder of her days strong with purpose and passion! ~Amen.

Here’s a few pics of sweet Jan. She is so faithful to bring delicious treats for the Christ Church Choir every Sunday. Her banana pudding changed my life (just kidding… but not really!) Several folks from the choir got together a while back and gave her a surprise Pampered Chef party and bought items to help stock her kitchen since she so graciously gives to us all each week! It was a fun night. Here are a few pics of Jan and Buddy from that night!

Jan, getting instructions from Miriam about what to do.

DAY 43 – Sam and the Old Rugged Cross

Posted on March 15, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Missions, Pic and a Prayer

I was praying for my friend Sam this morning and I thought I’d make her my Pic and a Prayer focus for today.

Sam, in the studio the day she recorded "The Old Rugged Cross" — Sam, in the studio the day she recorded “The Old Rugged Cross”

A few years ago, a politician made a statement about Americans who cling to their guns and their Bibles. It certainly wasn’t the best statement to be made and Americans responded with a variety of passionate rebuttals. The idea that someone would “cling” to anything evokes a sense of desperation, grasping for help or even sometimes fear and those are not feelings that someone would typically want to identify themselves with.

Seen in another light, a very famous Gospel song was written at the turn of the century and uses that word, “cling” and it is one of the songs that moves me at the core of my being every time I hear it. I love that it uses the word “cling” because in this case, I really AM desperate, grasping and holding on to with all that I have… “The Old Rugged Cross”, George Bernard.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Sam, singing that Sunday evening in Kyoto

My friend Sam recorded this song for a missions project that we did at Christ Church last summer to help raise funds for our trip to Japan. Even now as I’m typing this blog, I can hear her voice in my head, singing this song from the depths of her being. I was happy to be there in the room the day she recorded it and honored to be in Kyoto, Japan with her the Sunday night she stepped forward and sang that song, just her voice and the piano. I watched the faces on the people in that room as Sam sang, “on a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross…” By the time she was singing the last verse and chorus, the typically reserve Japanese people were raising their hands, tears falling. Most of them in the room didn’t speak English but the spirit of the song was piercing the hearts of each one there.

Sam and I in Japan with some of our gifts!

Sam is such a dear precious soul. The song comes to an end and true to her roots in southern Gospel music, she repeats the last line with more than just a little bit of “cry” in her voice as she sings “I will CLING to the OLD RUGGED CROSS…. and exchange it some day for a crown.”

Jesus, be the healer for my friend Sam today. She needs physical healing and supernatural rest. She’s always working and doing things for other people, making sure everyone else’s needs are met. I’m praying for a special delivery of grace and strength that she needs especially today. I could pray all day for Sam because I would love to call out every blessing you promised in Your Word and claim it over her life but I’m just going to ask in one big swoop for all those things! Send her a double portion TODAY!

Here she is singing “The Old Rugged Cross”. Enjoy! https://www.box.com/s/qwsy7wm1ejwu0gg6056i

DAY 29 – Hazel Deason

Posted on March 1, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Pic and a Prayer

My prayer today is for my dear friend Hazel Deason. She just said the last goodbye on this earth to her Great Granddaughter, Baby Alexis.

Jesus, help my sweet friend. We rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. Hazel is hurting today, missing this sweet baby who is in your arms now. Take away this painful sting of death and let this mourning soon be lifted. A nice big God sized hug would be appropriate for today. Let her feel that.

Amen

DAY 28 – Misaki Kawamoto

Posted on February 28, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Missions, Pic and a Prayer

MIsaki Kawamoto singing with all of her heart!

I met Misaki Kawamoto last summer when I was in Japan. I got to spend some time with her when we were at the Doshisha University retreat center working with some of the college students. She loves to sing Gospel music and is always smiling when she sings. She told us all that Diana Ross is her favorite singer and she sang a special song for us that Diana Ross had recorded.

Misaki singing the Diana Ross song for us.

What I remember most about Misaki is a question she asked me one day while we were eating some delicious chicken curry & rice in the dining room.

“How can I FEEL that God loves me”

I received a message from her again today asking a very similar question about how can we know God loves us along with a desperate request for prayer as her faith is fading.

As desperate as she is to feel God’s love, that is how much I am praying for Misaki to KNOW Jesus in a personal way and to feel God’s love for her.

Father God, I am lifting up my friend Misaki Kawamoto today. She is reaching out for answers about you and needs to feel your presence. Reveal yourself to her even now and let the seed of faith that was planted in her begin to grow as she learns more about you and of Christ as her savior. I am praying that she receives the Truth that Jesus is the one true God and you love her. You love her so much that Jesus sacrificed his life, died, and rose up from death so that we can be saved from an eternal death, live and be free from the curse of sin. Because of what Christ did, we really can be free from sin and death. Misaki can know you personally and be FILLED with the Holy Spirit, filled with your love, power and joy. I pray and believe that you will reveal yourself to her in a way that she can understand and receive Jesus, be filled with your spirit and feel your love for her!

She feels lost and desperate today. Overwhelm her with your peace. Give her REST as she sees you as her source of strength and wisdom. I pray that she puts her trust in you today… fully, completely.

In Jesus name I pray all these things… AMEN!

Proverbs 3:5-6  (NIV)

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight

Pastor Daniel Bell and Misaki

DAY 21 – Elicia “Lici” Brown

Posted on February 21, 2013 by vanessamaddoux@gmail.com in Christ Church Choir, Pic and a Prayer

Me and Lici on one of her YOUNG birthdays!

Sometimes God puts people on your heart to pray and then other times you get the call that just says “help!” This post is a response to BOTH. My sweet friend Lici needs a miracle right now and asked for prayer last night. I woke up this morning with her still on my heart. I love her so much and will pray until we see this miracle happen!

Rehearsing with Lici for the last Sunday before she moved to Orlando… the most recent time! LOL

I’m posting some fun pics of me and Lici through the years. She is one of the funniest people I know and can sing your face right off!

Jesus, thank you for your love and care for Lici. No one takes care of her better than you. When I hear that she is in distress, I want to run and “fix it” but I don’t have the resources or power within myself to do that… but YOU DO! I’m asking for the $1000+ that she needs THIS WEEK in order to make the move that needs to happen. Whether her income comes from the various sources YOU have placed in her life in the past year (Disney/Travis Cottrell/Church position) or from some other avenue, it’s ALL provision from YOU.

Me and Lici singing with the Christ Church Choir at a Bill Gaither Homecoming Concert (2006 or 2007?)

Thank you for giving Lici’s body rest and healing. Let her mind rest from worry and let her physical body rest from fatigue. Let everything in her body begin to rest and heal. Breathe new life into her physical body… through her blood, through her lungs, through her feet and legs… let everything flow smoothly and function in perfect health!

Thank you for your thousands of promises… all that are for Lici. I trust that you are working all things out for her good.

LET THIS PSALM BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU:
A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away

(The MESSAGE version) PSALM 34

In the studio recording the Christ Church Singers project

1 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.
11 Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.
20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
22 God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.

*How fun it was to run into Lici at the San Francisco airport! (2012)*

Singing at the Assemblies of God General Council in Indy,IN with Christ Church Singers

Pic and a Prayer – DAY 10 The Bridge Ministry Service Project

Posted on February 10, 2013June 26, 2014 by vanessamaddoux in Christ Church Choir, Missions, Music, Pic and a Prayer

My prayer focus today is for The Bridge Ministry in Nashville, TN. To learn more about this ministry you can visit http://www.bridgeministry.org/ This ministry reaches the homeless of Nashville, meeting each week under the Jefferson Street Bridge, rain or shine.

My favorite peanut butter. I had just bought this jar because I was out… but I’m giving it today to someone who needs it more than me.

Today, the members of Christ Church are bringing donations that will be distributed this Tuesday at the Bridge Ministry. People are donating new tents, sleeping bags, blankets, bikes, new underwear, travel sized toiletries and yes…. PEANUT BUTTER.
I love that the church as a community is doing this service project and hopefully people will continue to participate in this ministry in some kind of regular basis. http://www.christchurchnashville.org/2013/02/05/the-bridge-ministry-service-project/

Bridge give away — A bike, A cart, A sleeping bag… all to be given away at The Bridge Ministry

“The best way I know to pray is to pray the Word of God, so that’s what I’m going to do today. Father God, In Leviticus 19:10 you (God) commanded the Jews that they not “gather every grape of thy vineyard”, but instead : “LEAVE (a portion of) THEM FOR THE POOR AND STRANGER”. Help me to see those less fortunate around me so that I can leave a portion of what you’ve given me to help someone else.

The Christ Church Choir sang for The Bridge Ministry in September 2012 and have continued this relationship.

In Matthew 25 you said that if we give to the LEAST of these, we’ve given to you. I don’t want to be found withholding good from someone when all that I have is yours. I will give to others as if I am giving it to you. When the woman with the alabaster box came and poured out all of the expensive oil on your feet, the religious people complained about the cost of her sacrifice… as if it has been wasted on you. You said “the poor will always be with you and you can help them anytime you want but you won’t always have me.” You wanted us to know that it was never a waste of resources to GIVE lavishly in thanks and worship to God. (Mark 14) Help me see that when I give LAVISHLY to others, leaving a portion of what you have given to me for the poor among us, I am pleasing your heart and you receive those gifts as worship to you.

food under the bridge — Christ Church Choir members helping unload the food donations

I want to be a living example of Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” *one version says “do not abstain to do well to the needy;”

clothes under the bridge — Members of the Christ Church choir handing out clothes at The Bridge Ministry

*some photos shown courtesy of Sam Mayercik, Christ Church Choir member and faithful volunteer at The Bridge Ministry