In less than two weeks, my dear friend Todd Holdman and I will complete a dream that I’ve had for quite some time.
Todd, a gifted musician, and I, fresh off the publication of my first book, will perform a faith-based, two-person show called “An Evening of Faith” at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn., on Sunday, July 7. Fellowship and book signing at 6:30 p.m., with the show to follow at 7 p.m.
This development is nothing less than divine, and it would take a book in itself to explain how both Todd and I have arrived on the doorstep to this show. But I’ll do my best in a short post.
First, a little about Todd. … He is a husband, father, web developer and manager, among other things, but says that in “his heart of hearts, he is a songwriter and a bit of a mystic.”
“We are light and we are love is my message,” he said, adding that he’s been writing songs and playing in bands for more than 30 years. ” And I love to share that message through my music.”
About a decade ago, he said he experienced “a crushing depression” that eventually led him to seek faith-based support and guidance. And once he submitted to the Holy Spirit for assistance, the Spirit-infused art just began to flow.
He’s now been doing “inner work" for 10 years and has found some peace in that space.
As for me, well, I think you know most of my story: Husband and father of four (plus a growing number of plus ones!), a couple of large and disobedient rescue pups and disdainful cats, pastor, author and writer. That’s the quick synopsis, anyway!
Todd and I first met in 2020 when he came to our church with his band to play during our oldest daughter’s confirmation Sunday. And immediately, II was struck by the originality and depth of his contemporary Christian music. ... More importantly, though, I was won over by his honesty and his purely genuine faith. I felt a kinship with someone so taken by the Holy Spirit and so committed to his art. And I knew then that I wanted to work with him in some fashion.
Well, we all know what happened in March 2020, and then the years kind of slipped by.
It was that summer -- four years ago -- that I started this blog. And while Todd would be back to our church several more times in the intervening years, I never felt that I was ready for what we have created now. It took several years of keeping up this blog, the opportunity to begin writing a weekly faith newspaper column two and a half years ago and then the publishing of my book “Finding Faith in Life’s Beautiful Cracks” in May before I realized that there was no more waiting.
About the same time as my book came out, Todd and his band were back in our church playing on a Sunday. And it was that day I knew the Holy Spirit was tugging on my heart, saying: “Now it’s time.”
I approached Todd with my pitch: Join me in a faith-based artistic show of songs and stories, and we’ll call it “An Evening of Faith.” … When we met to talk about it, I don’t think I was into my second or third sentence before Todd uttered, “I’m in!”
And the show was born. … We hope that you love it as much as we do.
So, what is “An Evening of Faith?”
Well, Todd and I are calling it a celebration of faith-inspired art, specifically songs and stories in our case. I’ve been writing stories for 30 years, and Todd has matched that with 30 years of songwriting. And we each know in our hearts these were divine gifts bestowed upon us.
As artists, we each feel compelled to tell our faith story and to share it with others. And that is the basis of “An Evening of Faith.”
The show consists of three acts, the first act which will tell a bit about Todd’s and my individual call stories, a second act that calls us into community with others and the third act that hopefully inspires you to go forth and share your own story that brought you to your faith with others. … Because, in the end, that is the only way we ever introduce someone to Jesus. Through our personal stories.
The show’s songs and stories will compliment each other, and Todd and I will weave back and forth from stories about faith to songs about faith, with some dialogue mixed in. Three acts worth of each.
And then finally, the evening will be capped with an audience hymn sing and then a Q & A period in which the audience can ask both Todd and I questions.
We’d be honored to see you at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn., on Sunday, July 7. … And if you can’t make it to our show that night, then … well, consider booking our show at your own church! Contact me for more details!
Blessing Faith Family! … And we thank you for your support!
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