Tag Archives: camp

Vote for “Lord Let Your Love”

August 16, 2011   Russell Martin   No comments
praise

***This contest is now over.. however I need your votes on another song.. and this time I could win prizes… Check it out!!!***

For a few years I have been a part of an online community of independent christian artists called Indie Heaven. I can sell my songs, communicate with fans and connect with other artists. Every month I can participate in their Fan Faves contest where I submit one song to be voted on throughout the month. If I’m lucky my song can be chosen to go on to the Top 20 list

This month I have submitted one of my favorites “Lord Let Your Love.”  Here’s how you can help.

1. Go to the Fan Faves chart on Indie Heaven

2. Scroll down to find “Lord Let Your Love” by Russell Martin

3. Click on 1-5 stars

4. Tell your friends to do step 1-4

5. Repeat tomorrow.

Yes.. you can vote once per day, every day, so I encourage you to do so. While there make sure and purchase the “Hopes Prayers and Lullabies” CD. All proceeds from it go to help our adoption process.

Popularity: 1%

Read More

Get Things Done.. Work Backwards

August 15, 2011   Russell Martin   No comments
timebackwards


Do you want to get things done and have more time to spare? Tired of feeling like you are always one step behind, or barely one step ahead? Over time I have learned that I can get more done, feel like I have accomplished something, and have more time to be creative if I work backwards.

I first learned this while working programs for camps over the summer. I would usually be responsible for music at morning assembly, after lunch assembly and afternoon assembly, leading music at evening worship, creating a slide show and running the evening activity. At one point I would choose songs and create slides first thing in the morning for the morning assembly, after which I would get ready for the lunch assembly. Then I’d make sure things were ready for the afternoon and so on and so on.

I found myself with no spare time, and I always felt like I was running behind. Once I finished one thing, I rushed to the next.

I’m not sure when, but at some point I made a change, that changed everything. I began to work backwards.

So using the same day above, I would start with the things due last, and work my way towards the front of the day. Sometimes even starting the night before.

So if my evening activity was a scavenger hunt, that would be the first thing I made sure was ready to go.,

Then I would make sure everything was ready for evening worship.. and so on..

This meant that by mid morning or so, I had everything under control and ready to go. I could use the rest of the day tweaking anything I needed to, or starting to prepare for the next day. Thinking ahead like this had many great benefits:

1.It meant that I wasn’t skipping meals to get things done that I was unprepared for.

2.I was able to sleep because I wasn’t staying up late for things that remained undone.

3. I had time to be creative, to spend more on a slide show, work on a new song, or take photos.

4. I had time to spend with the kids, to play a game, share a coke, or have a conversation.

5. I had time to take care of any emergencies or schedule changes, which usually occurred in the afternoon, because I was prepared for the rest of the day.

Next time we will talk about how working backwards not only helps daily, but how it can work on a weekly basis.

Tell me one problem you have with your own time management. Would working backwards help you?

 

Popularity: 1%

Read More

The Easiest Way to Do Slide Shows

December 03, 2010   Russell Martin   No comments

Slide shows have come a long way in the past few years.

I remember having slides developed, arranging them in a projector, and pressing play on the tape player.

I remember having photos developed, videoing each one for 5 seconds and pressing play on the cd player.

I remember taking digital photos, putting them in power point, and inserting a music link

I remember using windows movie maker, adding photos, adding a music track and rendering it together.

Now I just use Animoto

Animoto - The End of Slideshows

With animoto you upload your photos, or short video clips, and select one of their many themes. Next add your text where needed, and arrange the photos in order. Then you can choose a provided music track or upload your own. Finally click finish and they will send you an email when your video is ready.

From their it is very easy to share your video on youtube, facebook, twitter, email or embed in your blog. There is even an option to download a high resolution video to burn to DVD or show in your church service. Animoto even has an app for your iphone, and you can create a complete video from the photos and clips you have stored there, without ever using a computer.

Right now animoto is running a referral program. Sign up for an All-Access pass, $30 per year, and get one month free (or $5 off). Sign up for an Animoto Pro account $249 per year, and get one extra month free.

Click here to sign up

Check out some of these other uses for animoto.

VBS VIDEO

Senior Video

Popularity: unranked

Read More

Elementary Camp Video- Day One

June 20, 2010   Russell Martin   No comments

I recently got to spend a week with over 200 awesome 4-6 graders and counselors. Here is the video I made from the first day’s events.

Popularity: unranked

Read More

So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp?- My Packing List

April 28, 2010   Russell Martin   2 Comments

When you head off to camp it’s a good idea to have a list of items you will be needing. This will help to solve two problems.

1. You can make sure and take everything with you that you might need to camp

2. You can make sure and take everything home that you brought with you.

So what I decided to do was just to share my list based on my needs as a worship/program leader at camp.

Read through and then let me know what you would add to the list.

Here is my list:

Guitar- Strings, Picks, Extra Guitar, Amp, Cable

Keyboard- Stand, Pedal, Stool, Cable, Power Cord, Music Stands

Sound System- Microphones, Mic Cords, Instrument Cords, Mic Stands, Sound board, Speakers, Amps, Speaker Stands,

Projection- Computer, Projector, Monitor Cable, Power Cords, Printer, Correct Software, Screen

Other- Digital Camera, Video Camera, SD Cards, Batteries, Chargers, Wireless Router, Assortment of Cords, Extension Cords, Power Strips

Cabin- Sheets, Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Toiletries, Clothes, Extra Clothes, Shoes, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Bath Mat, Fan, Towels, Alarm Clock/Radio, Phone Charger, Power Strip,

Fun- Baseball Glove, Frisbee, Disc Golf Discs, Fishing Tackle and Rod, Bocce Ball, Horse Shoes, Cards, Dominoes

What would you add?

Popularity: 1%

Read More

So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp-Part 2-What Songs to Sing?

April 19, 2010   Russell Martin   No comments

After I sent out my last post in this series, Questions to Ask, I got a comment from fellow worship leader and blogger, Todd Wright.

”I usually try to dig pretty deep as to what songs these kids are singing. Unfortunately, I get a lot of “Oh, you know…whatever.” But with a few specific questions, I can at least get a sense of the genre or history of the music they dig.

The worst thing at a camp is a guy who shows up and sings stuff only he knows/likes/cares about. A little investment of time can ensure that your worship will connect with folks, even though you might be a new face.

Great advice- So how can you do this? Let me suggest a few ways.

1. Ask the leaders- When you get called for camp ask them what their kids are singing in worship. Ask what type of worship services they have at their church, what songs they use in those services, or what they listen to at youth.

2. Use internet to ask ahead- Does the camp have a facebook page? I have begun dialogue with those who will be attending camp directly this way. Just post and say, “Hey, I’m leading music and am asking for song requests.” Not only is this a great way to find out what direction to head musically, but also helps you build relationships before you even get to camp.

3. Request box or list at camp- I was first introduced to this idea at a college work camp. The program director took a shoe box, decorated it and wrote the word SUGGESTIONS across the top. At first I was kind of leery, but it turned out to be the best thing ever. We told the students to make suggestions about anything, including songs.

The first night I had about 10 song suggestions. Each night more came in. I tried to work in as many as possible that worked within our camp. Not only did this help everyone have input in the service, but I went a way with a list of songs to use, some I knew, and some new ones to learn. The new ones I learned I used later that summer.

4. Remember it’s not about you- Re-read Todd’s last paragraph at the top -

“The worst thing at a camp is a guy who shows up and sings stuff only he knows/likes/cares about. “

We all have our favorite songs, the ones we use, connect with, even have written ourselves. However leading music at camp is about allowing the campers to connect with God. Your purpose is to help them do that. By all means introduce new music, sing a new song, but keep in mind your congregation for the week. Sing songs because they connect with your campers, and that help them connect to God, not because they are your favorites, or originals.

These are just some of my suggestions. What ways do you use to find out what songs you should sing? Do you feel it is important?

Popularity: 2%

Read More

So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp- Part 1- Questions to Ask

April 13, 2010   Russell Martin   3 Comments

So you are sitting in the bookstore, drinking coffee and your phone rings.

“Hey, I was wondering if you would be interested in leading music for camp this year?”, the cheery voice on the other end says. “Um, sure?”, you say “When is it?”.

After a promise to check your calendar you hear, “I’ll call you later with more details, Thanks!”

That’s only one of the ways I have ended up spending weeks at a time at what I would call one of the greatest opportunities in the world. A chance to share in the lives of youth; to hang out with them, and listen to them; and to lead them in worship.

That time is coming up and the phone calls will soon arrive. So I’d like to take several weeks to post a series of some tips, thoughts, questions and practical advice for you before you head out into the wild camp frontier.

And the first tip is.. Ask Questions!

The first thing you should do before you go, and even sometimes before you agree to go, is to ask lots of questions. This will help you to know what’s expected of you, what you can expect, what you need to bring etc…

I took a few minutes to write down just a few questions you should ask:

What age group am I leading for?
Will I get paid?
Will I be responsible for campers?
What other responsibilities will I have?
Can I bring merchandise to sell?
When do I need to be there?
Where do I need to be?
What equipment is provided?
What equipment do I need to bring?
Over the next few weeks we’ll talk about why some of these questions are important, and what to do. However I know that I haven’t touched on all of them so I ask you. What questions do you ask, or would you ask, when you are leading worship for a camp or a group?

Popularity: 1%

Read More

Help Me Save a Life

November 15, 2009   Russell Martin   No comments

For the past two years I have been supporting the “Nothing But Nets” campaign. The campaign raises money to provide mosquito nets that protect from Malaria with the goal of wiping out the disease on the continent of Africa.

Between now and Christmas I want to raise enough money to buy 1000 nets. At $10 each that makes a total of $10,000

Wow, you might say that’s a lot of money but think of it this way.

Between now and Christmas is around 45 days. That means if you saved 22 cents per day between now and then you would have $10 for a net.

I figure that I have about 2000 people I am connected to between facebook personal page, fan page and twitter. If only half participated we would reach the goal.

Coted'Ivoire_Net_Distribution_3

How you can help:

1. Donate: I have created a netraiser team called Fork In the Road. You can help support me by making a secure online donation. Click here to donate.

2. Forward, Retweet, Repost: Send this on to your friends in your social networks. Get them to help.. who knows we could pass 1000 nets easily.

3. Start Your Own Team: Why not start your own effort with your church, youth group, or among your social media friends. It doesn’t matter who raises the money, just that they get raised.
For more information on how YOU can participate in Nothing But Nets, please visit www.NothingButNets.net

Thanks for your support!

Popularity: 1%

Read More

Big Event for 6th Graders

September 16, 2009   Russell Martin   No comments

This year I get another opportunity to lead worship for an amazing group of kids at a great weekend retreat. It’s called “The Big Event” and it’s our conference 6th grade retreat held November 6-8 at Lakeview Conference Center in Palestine Tx.

Please pray for me as I go, and for all those who will be coming. I am also looking forward to meeting Illusionist Jared Hall who will be there for the weekend.

Texas Conference Methodist Folk.. click here for all the info

Popularity: 1%

Read More

My Daily Photo 07/23/09

July 22, 2009   Russell Martin   No comments


This past summer I spent 3 weeks leading worship at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine Tx. I have done this for about 12 years now. This sign is in front of the camp where I started.
– Post From My iPhone

Popularity: 1%

Read More
« Older posts

  • Choose a Category