Western All-State Youth (WAY) Choir Is Back

WAY Choir is back after several years of no action but, this time, under new leadership.  You can find out more about the choir at http://www.wdyouth.org/way-choir/.  The new director is Luis Lenzi who was a former member of WAY Choir.  He is now the Minister of Music at East Valley Pentecostal Church in San Jose, California and comes with excellent qualifications.  God bless Luis and team as they begin a new journey.  WAY Choir 2016.

WAY Choir 2009 Is HERE!!!!!!!!!

Be sure and go to the website

www.waychoir.org

for new songs and 2009 tour info.

New Comment Posted

Check out Sarah's recent comment on her post.
http://waychoir.blogspot.com/2008/06/sarah-simmons-speaks.html

To All WAY Choir Members

Sis. Buxton left a nice comment to you and I thought I would put it in a post to make sure you all see it. Please visit her blog at www.writenow.wordpress.com and see her pictures and reviews of Camp Meeting. I feel so honored to have an esteemed elder pay all of you such a high compliment. You can leave comments on her blog and thank her for her kind words. Below is the comment she posted to this blog.

Shirley Buxton has left a new comment on your post "Coming Soon!!!":

On Thursday evening, I sat in the camp meeting tent, and as you sang, I was completely overwhelmed by the presence of God. On one of my blog posts, I wrote this: "WAY choir (comprised of young, unmarried people from around the district) effected such grand and magnificent music as should be heard in the finest of concert halls, except that their singing was accompanied by such deep and sincere worship that only in chambers of the sacred should such performance occur."In another column, I posted from YouTube your singing the moving conclusion: Grace, Grace. Already it has profoundly touched people who read at my site.Thank you, Brother and Sister Fitzpatrick, Brother and Sister Allard, every choir member and anyone else who have participated in the formation and continuation of this ministry. It is a personal blessing to me, and I am confident to the wider Church of Jesus Christ.Observing such talented young people coupled with such worship and dedication prompts me to again understand that The Church is in good hands. In no way is God in trouble.From my heart--thank you.

Coming Soon!!!

Next event:

Western District Camp Meeting

Santa Maria Fairgrounds

August 4 - 8, 2008

WAY Choir will be singing Thursday, August 7

in the evening pre-service and main service.

Directing D'Andre Dignifies

Hi! It's D'Andre! I had the time of my life on WAY Choir Tour 2008. I've never been around so many youth that could sing like this! I mean everywhere I turned I could hear somebody hummin' or singin'. Some of my best memories of this year were in practices. Bro. Fitzpatrick is so full of passion for ministry and every time he spoke to us, it was like hearing preaching. We were constantly fed with WORD and constantly pushed to concentrate. Sis. Fitz was such a nice person and always full of encouraging words. As the week went on, I found myself getting more and more attached to these folks and was like, "How am I gonna say goodbye?? What am I gonna do without the Allards!!??" They made this tour sooooo much fun and taught me so much. Everyone in the choir was in such good hands and everyday was a new experience with new challenges. I had not directed a choir in years! I learned techniques and signals and was so honored to tag-team with my buddy Keith this year. The view of the choir singing under the anointing of the Holy Ghost was overwhelming. I hope to stay in touch with everyone and I love you all as my family. Thanks for embracing the WAY rookie :)
God Bless,
D'Andre

Getting Ready to Hit the Road

Lesson On Singing High Tones

Sogogospelnews.com features articles by Bill Baize and I thought I would share some with you. Here's a current lesson on singing high tones - - -


1. You must have confidence that you will be able to hit the note that you are reaching for. Much of the battle to sing good high notes is lost in this area. I remember before I ever studied how to sing, I was singing with The Smitty Gatlin Trio in Ft. Worth Texas. I had a high C to hit on one of the songs and I had been hitting it very well in practice. Time came for us to sing the song on the stage at the Will Roger’s Auditorium one night. There were several big name groups there and I really wanted to do well. At the time I was just starting to sing professionally. Opened up and went for the high C, it splattered all over the place (my voice cracked). I lost all my confidence that evening. It took me quite a while before I wanted to try a high C again. I finally gained my confidence back after I studied voice for a couple of years. Once I learned about posture, breathing, tone placement, and word pronunciation ,in my vocal studies, I was able to sing over and over consistent high C’s, and while singing with the Stamps Quartet I got to where I could sing an E flat above high C, which I did every night for sometime, when we were singing either “Rainbow of Love” or “When It’s My Time”. What was the difference? The difference was that I had studied and worked at making myself better by singing correctly. My voice still would crack at times if I didn’t sing correctly now. That’s why learning how to sing correctly, not only protects your voice for your old age, but it can give you the tools to know how to correct anything that doesn’t seem to work right. I know now that when I sing correctly I don’t crack. If I ever cracked, I would know what to do to correct it. What would I do? I think about my posture first, am I standing straight and are my vocal cords relaxed? Then I think about am I supporting the tone enough with the proper amount of air? Then I think about where I am placing the tone in my resonation chambers. When I do all of that correctly, my tone always comes out well with no quivers or cracks. Because I know how to do these things, I have confidence that when I do them correctly, that my notes will come out clear and not crack.

2. In singing higher tones, it is best to concentrate on vowel sounds more than the consonant sounds. Opera singers do this and that is why they can all sing well when they are young and during their later years in life. Vowel sounds are the foundations of the words that you will be singing. Therefore, if you learn how to sing them and their modifications, it will help you sing high notes better. Vowel sounds should take precedence over consonant sounds, in your pronunciation of words, while you are singing. There are certain consonants that seem especially hard to pronounce and still keep your singing mechanism in a relaxed state. One of those consonants is the letter R. Many great singers modify the R sound until it only really comes in on the very last of the pronunciation. For instance in the word “Art” in the song “How Great Thou Art” many of the great singers sing it like AAArT . Many ordinary singers sing it like ARRT. When you put to much emphasis on the R sound it throws your singing mechanism out of whack, and can cause problems, causing your voice to rasp out or crack when you least expect it. This is just one example of this phenomenon. This area of singing is part of what I call the fine tuning area. It helps you to fine tune your singing to a point that you are able to do good things with your voice that you previously couldn’t do. It is a real challenge and often it is better accomplished by having a good voice instructor listen to you and guide you in the direction that it takes to fix whatever problem you might have.

3. In singing higher tones, the most effective thing you can do is to remember to breathe correctly. Sometimes you have to really think, while you are singing, about your breathing. In singing higher tones, it is imperative to keep excellent breath support under your tones.

4. Remember to open your mouth widely, and remember the lessons of posture that I have written about previously, like holding your head straight. Do not turn your head to either side, tilt it back or forward too much. Keep your head on straight. Relax your lips, jaw and tongue and most of all your neck where your vocal cords are. For easier singing of high notes, push from your diaphragm and place your tone forward in your mask . You can even, most of the time, sing the higher tones to where they sound to you as extremely nasal tones. Most of the time, when we think that they are nasal to us, they are only then beginning to have the amount of mask tone that makes the tone, being sung, sound clear and understandable to the listener.

5. The best way to work on most of these things is with a vocal coach in person. You may try them yourself and put your singing on a tape or CD to listen back to. Then when you listen back, and let someone listen with you, you can critique yourself about whether you sound better or not.

My best advice is to go to a vocal coach and have him or her listen to you and help you with these things.

There is so much more that needs to be said about singing high tones. I can not possibly cover it all here in a column or two. It is time for me to close this month’s column.

Remember Psalm 118:6 says “The Lord is on My Side, I will not fear, what can man do unto me?” The Lord is on your side. Keep working for him and ministering to those that he gives to you to minister to. Don’t be discouraged, just keep on keeping on. God loves you and wants you to be all that he created you to be. Keep on the sunny side.

In His Service,
Bill Baize

S.A.T.

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Play It, Guys

Meet some of the musicians (not pictured-keyboards: Ken Fitzpatrick, organ: Michael Hernandez)...

Percussion: Jonathan "Peto" Moreno

Guitar: James Langston

Drums: C.J. Caragan

Bass: Aaron Gomes

More Pics from Tour 2008

Appreciation from Abigail

WAY Choir Tour 2008. Wow! It was something amazing. Just like almost everyone said on the bus, I, too, almost didn't come this year because of certain situations in my life, and certain doubts I had. But I really am glad that I decided to come because I know that my life did change during the week, and I know that it's going to stay changed. People always say their lives are changed after a certain service, or event, but this time I KNOW that I KNOW my life will never be the same. Just like the song we did, "I"m not going back, I'm moving ahead, I'm here to declare to you my past is over IN YOU!" That song sums up how I feel about what God did for me this past week.

Now I know that no matter what happens in my life, no matter how many times the devil attacks me, I will keep fighting back because I'm not going back to the person I was before the tour. I know that we only spent a week together but a lot of you made a big impact on my life and I am so grateful for it. The friendships that were made stronger this week were lifelong friendships and I love each of you.

My favorite night was in Dinuba. I don't even know if I should be admitting this or not, but as some of you know, the devil has been fighting me a lot lately, more so than usual, and I have felt like I just couldn't fight back anymore, so when I was praying at the end of service, I was able to finally get to the place in the spirit that I told the devil he couldn't have me, he couldn't have my family, and that no matter what, I was going to fight for them! I know that one day I will see my dad come back to church. I know that the things that I am praying for, I will see happen, in my life, in my family's and friends lives, in my church.

Because no matter what happens, I know in the long run, it's all going to be worth it. I thank God that I was given the opportunity to go on the tour this year. A special thank you to Bro. and Sis. Fitzpatrick for all your hard work and dedication to us. Thank you also to Bro. & Sis. Allard, you are awesome! (Sis. Allard, you are my hero! Thanks for being there for me)

To Sheramy, Kendra, Lacy, and Kadee, you'll be happy to know that I finally ate when I got home, so no worries! lol. Sorry this was soo lengthy. I love you guys and miss you all soo much already! I'll see you all at camp meeting.

Love Abigail

WAY Choir Ministers

WAY Choir sings beautifully but their purpose is much more than beautiful music.

WAY Tour 2008

part of the choir in Woodland, California
Tulare, California

Dinuba, California

Merced, California

It was a whirlwind week of practice, travel, and performance and it has now come to an end. The finale was in Merced, California at Apostolic Tabernacle which happened to be a "Friends and Family Day" complete with a huge bar-be-que. Of course, the highlight was the opportunity to hear the talented Merced Choir, their brass band, sign team, and the incredible ministry of Pastor Sam Emory. Everything they do in Merced is "WOW!" More reports to come!

P.S. Choir members - If you have pictures or memories you would like to share, please e-mail them to me and I will get them posted as soon as possible.

A Mother Speaks

I was so thrilled to hear what took place during the 2007 WAY Choir tour. Many awesome and amazing things took place that week. I am so glad my daughter was able to be a part of it. God's timing is perfect. I would like to share something with you. A few days before the tour started a situation happened to my daughter that caused her a lot of brokenness, heartache and pain. It really hurt me to see her go through it. I was glad she was going on the choir tour because I knew it would take her mind off of things and cause her to focus her mind on God's work. I spent most of the week fasting and praying for her and the WAY Choir tour. WOW! I can tell you my daughter came back changed, she came back healed, she came back with a new direction, she came back more excited than she ever has been. Something very special happened to her that week. She enjoyed the times of prayer and the times of devotion on the bus. She was excited about all the things that happened during the altar services. She had so many stories to share. She said she felt such unity among the choir members and she has made many new friends. Even though she was tired and it was hard transporting her suitcase everywhere, she said she would do over again a million times. She loved it!!!. Thank you so much for making this opportinuty availiable to our youth. This was a life changing experience for her and for many others. Thank you for your prayers, hardwork and dedication to the tour.

Comment From Pastor McDonald

Bro. Fitzpatrick and WAY Choir:

Just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate you. Your leadership, your talent, your anointing, the giving of yourself and on and on....we were blessed by your efforts. Thank you!

Love and prayers,
Bro Jonathan McDonald

Thoughts From Bryce

Making new friends, singing new songs, laughing till tears spilled, and reaching new spiritual heights describes WAY Choir 2007. Having been part of WAY Choir since its inception, I learned early that it requires giving 100% of my ability and effort. However, this year proved to be extraordinaire. The entire choir and musicians were truly in one mind and one accord and the Lord was there. Each service was anointed and inspiring. At the service in Eureka, a mother with her small daughter approached me and said she felt impressed to have me pray for her daughter and she proceeded to tell me how sick her little girl had been. I felt overwhelmed that she would ask me to pray. I looked at the little girl and asked her if she believed Jesus could heal her and she quickly responded, "Yes!" After praying for her, I then asked her if she felt Jesus had healed her. Again, her fast reply was, "YES!" This scenario impressed upon me the thought of "child-like faith." I felt very moved in the Spirit that this kind of faith would bring miracles and blessings we never imagined could happen. What a great God we serve and I am so happy to be in His service.

Bryce Allard

Words From Josiah

This tour was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had, and I will cherish the memories forever. I was incredibly blessed by this tour, and I feel like I am a changed person, having a new spiritual boldness, a stronger, more intimate relationship with God, much-improved musical abilities, and awesome inspiration that will help me work to be a strong music leader and man of God. This trip has strengthened every WAY Choir member's desire to serve Jesus will all our hearts by being obedient to His will and His Word. I am excited and in eager anticipation of our next tour together; if we trust in God and obey Him, we will move forward into greater heights spiritually and musically. I also will enjoy seeing all of the Way Choir members again; I didn't talk very much, but still had fun and was inspired by many of them.

I thank God for the powerful services we experienced every night, and the wonderful experiences in choir practice on Monday night and on the bus throughout the tour. Can you believe that we had tongues of interpretation on a bus full of young people? That's just incredible! I enjoyed listening and being blessed by everyone's testimonies of what God did for them, and I am so excited about my Grandpa coming to church and being so touched by what we did. I think it is so awesome that God allowed us the opportunity to be used in such a powerful way. My consecration to God and to His will has been greatly deepened and I will pray everyday for the WAY Choir, its future, and its leaders. I love Bro. Fitzpatrick's amazing sensitivity to the Holy Ghost and am glad that I have the privilege of working with him. I also love Bro. and Sis. Allard, and I thank them for their many words of encouragement and inspiration. I believe we will go incredible distances if we stay humble and allow God to use each and every one of us.

In God's Service,
Josiah Aston

Sweet Jesus Helps Brian Speak

WoW !!! I am so blessed to have been able to go on WAY Tour. This has been the best experience in my entire life. When I first tried out, I was very nervous and thought that I did horrible. So I said that if it is the Lord's will, then I will be accepted. Then, once I found out that I made it in the choir, I was overwhelmed with joy. Many of my friends helped me raise the money to go on tour and I pray that the Lord will bless them for their works. I was scared about going because the only person I knew was Kayla O'Bryan. I didn't want to be a loner. I prayed for the Lord's will about me going or not, and everything just seemed to fall right into place as far as money and everything else.
When the tour began and I felt the spirit of the Lord so strongly, I was amazed and couldn't wait any longer to sing, minister, and help seekers receive the Holy Ghost. By the fourth day, I had met everyone and knew everyones name and face. I was excited and finally got comfortable, which is always hard because as soon as you get comfortable that's about the time you have to leave. So I exchanged numbers and emails with alot of people so that we can keep in touch.
I feel that because of going on tour, I have been strengthened and look at living for God in a new light. I definitely think that not one person who went on tour went home the same individual. Due to this experience, I will strive to live for God even more than before, and fall in love with Jesus over and over again. I personally want to thank the Lord for allowing me to go on WAY Choir Tour 2007. I will pray for the Lord's blessing on you.

Yours Truly,
Brian Pelham

Open Letter to Bro. Fitzpatrick

BRO. FITZPATRICK-



FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND WONDERFUL EXAMPLE. YOU LED BY EXAMPLE, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS TOUR WAS SUCH A BLESSING AND SO POWERFUL BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP!!! THE BIBLE SAYS TO GIVE HONOR WHERE HONOR IS DUE...YOU DESERVE HONOR!! I HAVE ONLY MET A FEW PEOPLE IN MY LIFE AS SINCERE AND SENSITIVE AS U ARE TO THE HOLY GHOST. I COULD TELL U HAD A PASSION AND LOVE FOR THIS CHOIR, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR GOD TO USE US AS A TOOL FOR HIM!!! I PRAY MANY BLESSINGS ON YOUR LIFE!!! I'M PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...THAT GOD WOULD OPEN THOSE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING YOU CANNOT CONTAIN!!! AND I KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE IT'S HIS WORD AND PROMISE TO HIS FAITHFUL SAINTS!! I HONESTLY CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND HARD WORK!!! "U GET WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT" IS THE OLD SAYING, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT GOD HONORED YOUR SACRIFICE TO THIS MINISTRY!!!!! LOOK WHAT CAME OUT OF WAY CHOIR 2007!!! LIKE U SAID, WE WONT KNOW EVERYTHING THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM UNTIL HEAVEN REVEALS IT TO US!!!! I KNOW STRONG-HOLDS WERE BROKEN, AND SPIRITS WERE BOUND!!! I KNOW WE LOOSED GOD'S WONDERFUL SPIRIT, AND SHED LIGHT ON SOME VERY DARK AREAS!!! I'M SOOO THANKFUL THAT WHERE SIN DOTH ABOUND, GRACE DOES MUCH MORE ABOUND!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!! HE USED US IN A MIGHTY WAY!!! I'M SOOOO GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY AND SOVEREIGN WORK!!! AND JUST TO THINK: GOD ORDAINED US TO DO HIS WORK!!! THAT'S SOO AMAZING!!! ANYWAYS... I WILL HONESTLY SAY THAT WAY CHOIR MADE AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT ON MY LIFE!!! GOD SHOWED ME MANY THINGS AND IT FEELS LIKE HE BLOSSOMED ME RIGHT IT THE MIDST OF IT ALL!!! I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!! THIS MADE AN IMPACT ON ME THAT I COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE!!!! I'M IN COMPLETE AWE AT GOD AND HIS MATCHLESS WORKS!! I FEEL LIKE ITS ALMOST NOT REAL, BUT I KNOW IT IS!!! LOL! I'M BEING A LITTLE SILLY, BUT THAT'S JUST HOW AMAZED I AM AT WHAT JUST TOOK PLACE IN MY LIFE AND ON TOUR!!!!! I MADE FRIENDS THAT WILL ABSOLUTELY LAST A LIFE TIME, BECAUSE THEY WERE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE CENTERED AROUND GOD!!! EVERYTHING GOOD AND PERFECT COMETH FROM ABOVE, AND HE COMPLETELY BLESSED MY LIFE!!!! I HAD SOOO MANY CONFIRMATIONS THIS PAST WEEK, AND I BELIEVE HE LED ME TO A HIGHER CALLING AND BURDENED ME IN MANY DIFFERENT MINISTRIES!!!! NOW IT'S KINDA LIKE..."GOD...WHERE DO I START??" LOL! HE WILL MAKE A WAY, HE ALWAYS DOES!!! ANYWAYS, I CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH, AND I CANT PUT INTO WORDS HOW I FEEL AND HOW MUCH I HAVE CHANGED TRULY BECAUSE OF WAY CHOIR!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE PUT IN TO THIS, FOR YOUR PRAYERS, FOR NOT GETTING WEARY IN WELL DOING, JUST EVERYTHING! YOUR ARE INCREDIBLE AND YOU HAVE A MIGHTY CALLING AND ANNOINTING ON YOUR LIFE!!!! THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY, I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!

NICOLE VITALE !!!!

Lyrical Liz

Anyway...The last couple of months I have been going through an awkward alone time; well actually about the last couple of years. It has been a time where I have grown a lot in the Lord. Time after time the devil has attacked me, but I know more than ever that I am in the will of God. The last couple of months it seems as though my friends whom I have always leaned upon and thought had the same burden for the Lord, have been preoccupied with the things of this world. In the process while praying in confused frustration, the Lord has spoken to me that He would be taking me to another level and not everyone would come. It has been hard to look around and be so uncomfortable with all that is going on around me, because sometimes it seems I am the only one who is not selling out for the dead ends of temporary pleasures. I could go on about all the things negative that are going on in my life, but one day I laid it all before the Lord and started to sing a song that I was taught last tour, "Grateful." While singing it, instead of complaining about everything frustrating thing in my life, I began to be thankful realizing that one day it will all be worth the problems. Looking back on this tour, I have realized that God has raised me another level. I have had dreams and visions since I can remember and now thank God that everything in my life has been done in His perfect will. I feel as though many spiritual gifts have been renewed this tour. As the song says "I can't even rise, unless you raise me," God definitely has done something in me this tour and I feel as though something has been birthed inside me like never before. I want to thank you for always continuing to push in the spirit for more. You see and push for more than most do and you always push past the point of satisfaction on to much greater.
Thank you so much and I can't tell you how much of a blessing tour was in my life. It is just such an amazing revelation.
Thank you and In JESUS NAME. I pray God blesses you amazingly,
Liz Johnson

Sheramy Screams

WANT TO SAY THAT I MISS ALL OF YOU DEARLY, I HAD THE BEST TIME ON TOUR..... I DIDN'T WANT THE WEEK TO END! I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TIMES THAT WE SHARED TOGETHER, THEY WILL BE FOREVER ETCHED INTO MY MIND, GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME, I AM SO BLESSED THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE CHOIR, AND HOW HE USED US SO MIGHTILY IN ALL OF THE SERVICES.... THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MANY LIVES WILL BE TOUCHED BY WHAT HAPPENED THIS TOUR...


I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR ALL OF US IN THE FUTURE.. I CAN'T WAIT TILL CAMP MEETING SO WE CAN ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN.. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS!!!


LOVE ALWAYS,

SHERAMY

Tyler Talks

I started laughing my head off in the middle of church the other day, because somebody said "Oh my God," and all I could think of in my head was Brian saying the ever-so-popular phrase "Oh my Jesus" and "the devil is a liar." People just kind of looked at me and moved to another pew. Had a great time this year on tour. Met some new friends, learned some things, met some great people and experienced a faith that I have never experienced before. I truly believe with all my heart that if we will continue to be broken, God will continue to use us in ways and take us places that are unimaginable. God will not use somebody to their full potential unless they are fully broken. Life is short. I choose to be humble. I choose to be broken. I choose to be used of God. Because in this short span of life God has given me to fulfill his purpose .............I don’t have time to waste!! I Iook forward to seeing each and every one of you at campmeeting.

Tyler

Chloe Cries

I know that I didn't talk much on tour..some of you I just said hi to..and I am sorry that I didn't get to know all of you better..and I am going to "crawl out of my shell" and talk more next year.

Anyways, I just wanted to say that I miss all of you sooo much! Hope to see you at camp meeting??

I love all of you :)

Chloe

Bri Brags

WOW!! W.A.Y CHOIR 2007!!! YA'LL ARE GREAT!!! My church has heard so much about tour. Some cried then rejoiced and others rejoiced then cried. lol I miss you guys so stinkin' much!!! I miss all of our laughs together! I also miss our devotion time! Each and every one of u has impacted my life!! You guys are so SPECIAL TO ME! Tour was a LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE for me!!! I'm so blessed to have been used by God and carry out His will. There is nothing else I'd rather be doing. God is an AWESOME GOD!!! Tour gave me strength, built my faith, and opened my eyes to the big picture. God has taken me to a new level and it was because I allowed myself to be broken. Psalms 34:18, "The Lord is nigh unto then that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." God uses people that are willing to be broken. I need this tour. I believe that is why God allowed me to participate again this year. In spite of the devil's attacks, we stayed united and fought a spiritual battle. IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?!?!? To God be all the glory!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BRI~*

Weston's Words

The past few years, I have been privileged to be a part of the WAY Choir (Western All-State Youth Choir). This past tour, was truly the most life-changing experience I have ever experienced. Every part of the tour was ordained by God and I am truly humbled that I was a part. The first time I realized that this would not be an ordinary choir tour, was when we were practicing Monday night and the Holy Ghost fell upon the room in a powerful way. From that night on my perspective about the WAY Choir changed.
Then, Bro. Fitzpatrick introduced devotions and singing on the bus. I was skeptical about this at first, but once again we were visited by the Holy Ghost. Every time we called His name He would bless us with His presence. It was amazing that in every church we visited we were used of God to minister to that congregation's specific needs. Every service was different but each was powerful. I personally have felt growth in my life because I was able to reach out to people who needed a touch. It was a blessing that members of the choir would be sensitive enough to sense people in the congregation that had needs and minister to their needs, often times in the middle of a song.
God had his hand on us throughout the tour and even though the devil tried to get us down when he used someone to steal all the girls' money, God turned it around for His glory. The very next night in Eureka we were given an offering that more than replaced what was stolen! God is good! It was also awesome to see that Bro. Allard was able to share that situation as a testimony of God's faithfulness when he was taking a God-ordained sacrificial offering in Redding.
Leadership that we had in the Fitzpatricks and the Allards was amazing! I am so glad they they were sensitive to God's will for this tour. We could have never been a success without their ministry and leadership. I am thankful for their vision!
I personally have felt challenged, blessed, and ministered to on this tour. I praise God for every backslider that prayed through, every person that received the Holy Ghost for the first time, every miracle of healing, every baptism, and every consecration that was made. I know I will never be able to revert back to the spiritual rut I was in before this tour. I thank God for all the friends that I was able to make during this tour. I know that the spiritual bonds that were created will last for my whole life.
THIS YEAR WAS AMAZING!!!

Response From Kayla

Never had I ever imagined I could actually be used by God in the way that He saw fit for me the week of WAY Tour. I truly feel honored, humbled, and blessed that God in His wondrous ways would have mercy enough to allow me the opportunity to experience what I did! I got to see first hand what God can and will do through young people who are willing and hungry to do His will and not their own. Lives were changed, new babies in Christ were born, sins were washed away never to be remembered again, backsliders prayed through, families were put back together, miracles signs and many wonders happened. What more could a person wish to see and be part of?
I am very thankful to my Lord and Creator for allowing me to travel with the WAY Choir again! This was the third year that I was a WAY Member and NEVER have I seen such great things happen like I did this past week! Spiritually I took in more than I thought I ever could. I don't feel like the same person I was a week ago. God changed my outlook on a lot of different things. I truly have learned to "Trust in God again" with everything. Every situation and trial I know God will work it out for my good again!!!!!! I've made so many new friendships that I know without a doubt will last forever! I love each and every one of my WAY buddies! You all are totally awesome! Don't ever let the devil discourage you and tell you you're not a vital part with this end time revival!!!!! Because, "The devil is a liar!!!!!" We, as young people, will have victory over every thing that comes our way!!!!! Stay strong and keep your head up! Can't wait to see ya'll again!!!!!!!!!!!
God Bless
Kayla O'Bryan

Elizabeth Burke Speaks

WAY Choir 2007 has impacted my life in a special way that I will NEVER forget. Tour has shown me how essential prayer is and how much power is in the prayers of God's children. So many chains were broken and so many lives were restored. It was so encouraging seeing young people living for God and ministering to people in churches and to their fellow choir members. This helped me realize that God will use ANYONE who is willing and broken before God, no matter what their age. During the last service at the Redding church, when the sacrificial offering was called, I wanted to give something, but had only a couple of dollars. I gave what i had, but felt God was telling me to give more. It took me a moment to realize God was not asking for my money or material possesions, but for my life. Every time I play or hear the song "My Life is Not Mine," it is a reminder of the sacrifice and commitment I made to God. God has shown me His love in a way I have never felt before. He is so AWESOME!!!!!!

Abigail TALKS!!!

I miss you all soo much! I know I didn't talk that much to some of you, but you all had a tremendous effect on my life this tour. I've seriously been having WAY choir withdrawals. I can't wait until Camp Meeting to see you guys again. I love you all!!

~*abigail*~

Ashleigh Answers

I came to this tour with so much baggage on my back and I REALLY think this tour helped to release all my pain. As you obviously know, I have a son and I have been having a VERY hard time forgiving myself for what I did in my past. On this tour, God helped me let go of every hurt I have been holding on to and, oh my goodness, you have know idea how much I have changed and how "in tune" with God I am! Now, I have gotten closer to Him! I just appreciate how you guys treated me; as if I were one of yours. And, how the Allards and the Fitz's were so wonderful and friendly to me. I love every one of you guys like you were my family! Also everyone that was on the tour were GREAT influences on my walk with God. There was one day I just wanted to give up and go back home because I was having a very difficult time. Just then, everyone was concerned about me and took time out of their day to pray for me or talk me through it! I have never had such loyal and great friends that feel the same way about my God! He has opened my eyes in a different light. I look at people who are not saved and my heart breaks for them. Before WAY Choir I just saw them as people who weren't in church and I really feel like God is letting me see people through His eyes, like maybe he is letting me see just a glimpse of what they might be going through and then I see it and have compassion for them instead of judging them. I just thank God for what miracles He has worked in my life! Even though my dad didn't stay for the whole service, I still have ALL the faith in the world that God wont let me down, and I know that God will save my dad like he did Holly's! It's just a matter of time, God is NEVER late , he is ALWAYS on time. God he is a gentleman and He will never force anything on anyone. I hope to see you next year and be a part of something powerful in God's plan to save more people!
I love you so much and appreciate for all you did for me!
Ta Dahling!! ~Ashleigh Roberts~

Open Letter to Bro. Fitzpatrick

Bro Fitzpatrick,

Thank you for being a man after God's own heart. You are a great role model of what a man of God should be. During WAY tour I was blessed and challenged in the Holy Ghost to obtain higher heights in Him. It was such a spectacular sight to see God heal, restore, and fill people with the Holy Ghost each and every service. It just lets me know once more that God is not stagnant but is on the move seeking to bless those who will seek His face.

Thanks for accepting me into WAY Choir; it has been a life changing experience that I will never forget.

God bless you and your family,

In His Service,

Brother Anthony Lee Franklin, Jr.

Sheramy Speaks

WOW!!! What a life changing experience! There are not adequate words to describe the way that this choir tour affected my life. I went on tour expecting to have a good time and meet some new friends and hang out, but boy was I in for a totally different kind of tour. God is an AWESOME God! There is no way to compare the things that happened in every service, on the bus, and in practices. There was a unity in our choir that I have never felt before when working with a choir. The power and the presence of God's anointing were so overwhelming at times all you could do was cry! I am so appreciative for the opportunity to be able to go on WAY Tour 07. God is not a God of coincidence. He has a purpose and a plan for every single person. We were destined to be on that trip together, and we were hand-picked by God. When I stop and think about the goodness of Jesus, I can hardly contain my self. If there was ever a time in my life when I needed to feel God like we felt on this trip, it was here and now. HIS timing is perfect. HE's the melody, the harmony, the music, the words to our song!!!!! My advice to other young people such as my self is, number one: TOTALLY SURRENDER to GOD.... He can only use us to our full capacity if we are TOTALLY empty of everything else. FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM DAILY!!! He is an awesome God. There is no telling how many lives will be touched from this ministry this year. We have already seen a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Ghost in the services that we were in. This is just the beginning of something supernatural... NEVER GIVE UP! Keep the faith, and stay strong, He will never leave you nor forsake you! He will be there in the good and the bad and be the dearest friend of all. Life is not easy, but with Jesus, we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. I pray that as you read this, God will touch your heart in such a way that you would want to feel the experience of HIS anointing all over again! If you ever have a chance to go on WAY Choir, I strongly recommend it. May God richly bless every person that was involved in any way with the choir. I love each and everyone of you!

Sheramy Gregg

Ivan's Inkings

WAY choir has changed my life! Tour was the best this year. PLEASE!!! Bring this back to your church because I'm gonna bring it to my church. I dont know what to say. All I can say is ...........WOW!!
"The devil is a liar," a saying from Brian. LOL!!!
All of you were so funny and cool to hangout with I cant wait till camp meeting. Serious. lol!!!
Bro. FItz YOOOOOOUUUUU AAARREEE SSSSSOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole Robinson Says...

Just wanted to drop a few lines and say that I miss everybody very much. You guys are the best. It was truly an honor and a privilege to be used of God. I will never forget how each night touched my life, and other peoples life's also. Everyone of you will forever be in my prayers. Remember to keep the fire burning, don't let it die. Love and miss y'all...

*Nicole* A.K.A Coley

Love From Lacy

Way choir was incredible!!! God is so awesome!!! I am so thankful for the opportunity to minister to others. I love everyone of you! Ya'll were awesome! I was so amazed and in awe of how God ministered through us! Thank you all for allowing God to use you and speak through you. You were and are a blessing! I love all my wonderful new friends and I am definitely praying for you all. Keep seeking after God and listening to His voice. There is always work to do in His Kingdom. Thank you all for your example and your friendship! I miss you and I am looking forward to camp meeting! God truly has great things in store for each of us! God Bless you and I love you all!
Love Always and Forever, Lacy Cervantes

Gabby Gabs :~)

I don't know where to begin, but WAY Choir was soooooooo awesome!!!!!!!! Before I went on tour, I was going though alot. The devil had me thinking that I was the only one going though these things. But as the week went on, several got up and testified about what God has done in their lives. I just sat there and cried, because I knew I was going though those same things and that the "devil is a liar"!!!! The devil had me so far down that I didn't even want to go on tour this year. But the Sunday night before we left for tour, my Pastor prophesied to me about the things I was going though. He also said that God was going to use me in a mighty way this year on WAY Choir Tour. The first day I got there, I had heard some stuff and got some phone calls about things that I though God had taken care of, and I just wanted to go home. But when we started singing "Because Of Who You Are" I started crying and God spoke to me and told me this is just the beginning. I didn't know what that meant exactly, but as the week went on I knew it meant it was the beginning of my ministry and a new walk with God. Later on that week, my problems just started going away. God is so awesome!!!!!! Thank you all so much for such great attitudes!!!!! I never knew that a group of young people could get together for a week and not fuss and fight. lol! It was so awesome!!!!!! This truly changed my life!!!!! I love you all!!!!!!!! Thank You WAY Choir 2007!!!!!!!!
* A Special Thank You to
Bro. & Sis. Fitzpatrick and Bro. & Sis. Allard!

Words From Kendra

W.A.Y. choir was such a memorable time! It is a landmark and I believe that it has brought all of us into a new season with God! God really showed us how to have faith in Him, how to minister to others, and how to lay everything down and submit to Him so we can be leaders!!! It is incredible how God moved through each one of us and how He brought so many different backgrounds and personalities into unity!!!! We serve a great and mighty God!!!! I am so thankful for all He did for us and through us!! It is absolutely amazing!!!! I truly believe that each one of us will never forget what God has done in our lives this tour!! I can't wait to see what He has in store for us next!!!!
-Kendra Stephens

Holly Testifies

My WAY choir testimony is that my sister Alicen, who had been out of church for 3 years, and my father Steven, who had been out of church for 12 years, both prayed through at a WAY choir performance. This meant the world to me because I love them both very much and it hurt so much to see them both out of church. I can honestly say this experience has made me such a stronger person in God. I feel I have changed as a person and my family has even told me that I seem different and happier. I have also had the privilege of experiencing God's power, love, and blessings in so many ways. I have been able to witness to the lost and help the backslidden find God and learn to trust Him again.
This was such a wonderful experience for me and I look forward to an even better year next year.
Holly Trump

Rachel Responds

I can't express how grateful I am to have become part of the WAY Choir. When I first got accepted to Way Choir, I thought to myself "this is going to be a vacation! There's no hard work to be done, it's a piece of cake!" Boy, was I wrong! I realized that it takes a lot of EFFORT, COMMITMENT, and DEDICATION to be part of something and consequently rewarding! I loved the fact that we all became a family. From the beginning, I didn't know everyone. But as a group of girls prayed with each other, something remarkable happened, and our friendship got stronger and stronger and deeper with compassion and love for one another. In all my life I have never felt so close with a group of friends. It felt so wonderful! God has really changed my life this past week and He used me to do incredible things. Things I would think impossible to do. I am a changed person! The feelings I had towards Him, my faith and trust in God, have changed DRAMATICALLY!! I would have never thought God would use me to pray for a little girl and she received the Holy Ghost and was baptized. It was so amazing to watch this little girl lift up her hands and watch the tears just falling on her cheeks, seeking God and loving Him. While we were at the baptismal, I looked at her and you could see so much happiness and joy filled in her eyes and her expressions as she prayed to God. Her life had changed that night and God let me participate in that great accomplishment - another child of His was saved. My thoughts have changed instantly this week, God has opened my mind and I can now believe with self-experience that there is a devil and he is real!! He tried to take my Victory and my Faith! But I had so much trust in God that it was impossible to stop believing. With so much Faith and Trust in God, you can conquer anything. After Way Choir, I was struggling so much. Dealing with friends and family. It was so hard to come back home and face reality. I had a feeling that God was watching me to see how I would act towards people differently than before. How I would make different decisions than normally. It was really a remarkable thing to experience the first week after Way Choir. I feel closer to God than ever before and my spiritual walk with God has flipped!! I pray a lot more anywhere and everywhere all the time! To actually hear myself praying in the shower or on my way to the grocery store is amazing! Way Choir is A Life Changing Experience and I 'am so honored to be part of it! To actually experience is incredible. There are no words. I have endured a life changing; prayer and fasting, not afraid to worship the way I want to worship, praying with saints loudly as they seek an EXPERIENCE!! I would like to take this time to say that I really truly deeply appreciate what you have done for me. THANK YOU for taking the time to teach us how to sing a song the right way. I know it took so much time and hours of the day to perfect it!! Also a thank you for testifying and preaching upon what God has put on your heart. That really touched me and filled me with so much confidence. Just being apart of the Way Choir and you being the director with the wonderful Allards have INSPIRED ME to do more of GODS great work!! THANK YOU to both you and your wife and the Allard Family so much for EVERYTHING. Everyone made Way Choir an experience to remember. I' am looking forward to next year. "Lord Willing." Take Care and God Bless!!
Rachel Mescher

Sarah Simmons Speaks

God is so good!! He always comes through when His children give their all and have faith that He will do tremendous works! This was the attitude of the 2007 WAY Choir members. Individually, I came expecting a mighty move of the Holy Ghost, and He did just that and so much more!! Spiritually I had been struggling with some things and I needed God to strengthen me in His presence. He definitely answered the needs I had! Even though I was expecting miracles and blessings, my mind can never comprehend the greatness He did that week. I watched people of all ages, from children to elders in the church, be blessed by our complete and total submission to what He wanted us to do in these services. I was overwhelmed by the boldness He gave me to pray with people I had never seen or met before. A burden rose within my soul to see lives changed! Although I came with the mindset to minister, I was ministered to, also, through fellow WAY members, and the burning passion Bro. Fitzpatrick had for the choir as a whole. The theme throughout the whole week for me was “submission”. Time and time again, I was reminded of how God’s mercy and grace was and still is the only reason I could participate in such a great honor as this one. Wherever we were singing, I was placed in a spirit of humility and would fall on my face. I recommitted my life to Him each night, each time growing closer to the Lord than I’ve ever been in my entire walk with Him. My strength was renewed, my past is under the blood, the devil is a liar, and Jesus is alive and well in me!! What an incredible opportunity!!

Shout Out From Kyle

Man! I miss you guys. Anyways, thank you everybody for being so cool and changing my outlook on why we are here.......... MINISTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see ya at camp meeting! Kyle

Landry's Words

I cannot even begin to describe how much of a blessing WAY choir 07 was to me! I know that I will never forget what I felt on tour... I can honestly say that I will never be the same because of WAY choir 2007. I know that many of us reached places spiritually that we had never reached before, and broke chains that had us bound for a looong time.
This year I met so many new friends, and strengthened previous relationships with other good friends. I want to thank the Fitzpatricks and the Allards for their dedication to the WAY choir. Bro. Fitz you are such an inspiration to me!
I miss each and everyone of you guys so much... I can't wait till Camp Meeting! *Holla*...lol. Keep me in your prayers, and lets stay In touch!
-landry

Coryna's Review

WAY Choir was incredible this year and an experience that I will never forget. First, I want to thank God for the things He did through and for each and every one of us. Before I went on tour, I realize God had been preparing me for it by testing my faith in other situations. So, by the time I got on tour, I had faith that God could do anything. In the Bible it says, that He will pour out His spirit upon all flesh and your young men shall dream dreams and daughters shall see visions and sons will prophesy. Well, I really believe that God fulfilled that scripture in many ways during tour! He's such an awesome God! I can't thank Him enough. I stand in awe that He would use me, just a young person who isn't perfect, and every time I get the chance I tell Him thank You. There is gratefulness that will forever pour out of my heart for the things He did. There were many backsliders prayed through, many received the Holy Ghost, and several baptized in the name of Jesus!!!! Not only that, but I believe with all my heart that almost every church we went to revival is gonna breakout!! What an awesome God!!!! Lastly, there were so many wonderful people on tour. I feel I have gained a truck load of life long friends and you can't put a price on that. Not only were we all friends, but we were all in one mind, one accord in worship and ministering. That is why there was such an awesome presence of God in our concerts. "Where two or three are gathered in my name there in their midst I will be." Again, another promise that God kept. I want to give my deepest appreciation to the leadership that we had on tour. Bro. and Sis. Fitzpatrick are just awesome people. I love you guys so much and look up to you and how you love God and follow Him. You are such a blessing to us young people and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for the burden you have for todays generation. I also want to thank Bro. and Sis. Allard for helping during practices and for just being there when we needed someone to talk to. I love all of you from the very very bottom of my heart. I pray that God blesses you with a blessing that you cannot contain. I'm sorry this is more than a paragraph but I had so much to say and I'm still not done. If I wrote everything it would turn into a book. To whoever reads this, just to let you know that this little paragraph doesn't do justice to the things that we experienced on WAY Choir tour 2007. However, I hope you are blessed and your faith increases. When you have faith in God anything is possible so just stand on His word and never doubt and He will always come through for you!!! I Love You Jesus!!!
-Coryna Monique Pinon

p.s. Words and phrases we'll never 4get:
croissant pronounced KWASANT- Bro. Fitzpatrick and Bro. Allard
"Jesus help you!", "The Devils's A Liar!", "In Jesus name!", "move these mountains and cast them into the sea", and personal favorite - the ground beef joke for those of you who were there. lol All by Brian Pelham

Thoughts From Kadee

I just wanted to let you in on what I got from way choir 2007!!!! Well, as you know it was an incredible trip and I don't know how someone could not be touched after the awesome services. I mean to be honest the devil is already trying to take my joy and he is sssoooo not working!! Well, I don't know where to begin in expressing what has happened in my life during the tour. To start, I learned that I had power. I had power to pray for people and not just lay a hand on their shoulder or what ever, but be able to speak to them, have God's words come out of me. I never know what to say to people when praying for them; I just learned that I had to let Jesus do the talking. I have never felt the Spirit as strong as I did in the WAY services. I don't think there's a word to describe it. God also showed me that no matter how old I am He can use me. I mean I've heard it so many times that God uses young people but I hadn't experienced it. After moving to Citrus Heights about a year ago, I went to another level with God and stayed there wondering how I am going to get to the next level, and get closer to Him. I got to that next level on this trip and I am not going back to where I was before!! I have always known that God has called me to do His work, but never knew why, you know what I'm saying??/ But God poured out His love to me during tour and I just knew He didn't die for me just to take my sins away but He died so that I may live and He could work through me. That's why I was on way choir. It may sound corny, but He means so much to me. Before I went on this trip I was confused about me and life, but everything's so much clearer now. When we were in Eureka I asked God to tell me why I was there. He told me I was there to show the power of His name.......awesome huh!!!!! I just thought back to all the songs that we were singing about the name of Jesus , and I knew we weren't just singing them cuz they had a nice melody or whatever, but His name really does have sooo much power and any kind of evilness can't be around with His name in the room!!!! I can't express my feelings!!!!! Anyway God is so overwhelming and like, breath taking!!!!

2008 WAY Choir Tour Schedule

Mon., June 23 - Rehearsal in Stockton, CLC
Tues., June 24 - Rehearsal in Stockton, CLC
Tues., June 24 PM - concert-Woodland, Pastor Nik Schexnayder
Wed., June 25 - concert-Stockton, Pastor Nathan Haney
Thurs., June 26 - concert-Sacramento, Pastor Delton Fair
Fri., June 27 - concert-Tulare, Pastor Bill Parkey
Sat., June 28 - concert-Dinuba, Pastor Ed Allard
Sun., June 29 - concert-Merced, Pastor Sam Emory

Tour Dates

Posters have been mailed to the U.P.C. Western District churches. Ask your pastor for information as to when the WAY Choir will be near your church. Tour dates are June 24-29, 2008. freeWAY will also be traveling with the choir. Hope to see you there!

2008 WAY Choir Season Fast Approaching

Youth convention is just around the corner and that means audition time. Please visit the website, www.waychoir.org. Download an application, set up an appointment for audition, and be a part of this exciting choir. Due to many different factors everyone, including alumni, must submit a new application.

Section 11 LIFT Conference

More info coming soon!

Go For It!

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints of your ultimate accomplishments.- Napoleon Hill



After reading the above quote, I was reminded of Bro. Graham's message at Camp Meeting where he spoke about not letting your dreams die. If I may, let me encourage you to follow your dreams and visions in the Lord. Each of you have talents to offer and don't allow discouragement to step into your path and stop your progress. Just as the above quote states, it is true that what you dream is just the "blue print" or plan. It is up to you to raise the dream into reality and achieve. Go for it! You can do it! I believe in you!

Come On, Somebody!

HELP!

If you have anything you would like to post to this blog, suggestions, or ideas, please let me know. We want this to be the WAY Choir blog, not Tyler and Sis. A only. So, shout at me and give me your best shot of something new.