Hi.
My name's PJ. 
I've been a musician for as long as I can remember and "worship pastor" for 12 years. Sometimes it doesn't seem like I've been doing it that long, but then I see the grey in my beard and I realize that time is not on our side.

I'm really excited (and completely freaked out) to share with you something that’s been gnawing at me for a while and has drawn me into some uncharted waters.

THE BACK STORY:
In October of 2015 we went through an all-church journey at Crosspoint Church in Fishers, IN (where I'm employed... shameless plug) called BRAVE. The focus of the journey was to call us as people of faith into the unique callings God has for each of us. For me, it became abundantly clear that recording the songs I’ve been writing for and playing at Crosspoint over the last few years was my next step.

So, the title of this worship album project is:

All The Astronauts: Light The Night
(Here's the in process version of the album artwork.)

You’ll notice that my name isn’t in the project title. The “band” name “All The Astronauts” came about earlier this year, as I began this preparation process. I’ve really struggled with using my name as the title of the project… because it’s not about me. It’s not about a person. This has always been about helping point people toward a Creator who loves them no matter what. In January, I was working through a study in the book of Ephesians when I stumbled onto this:

It’s been said that early in life we are astronauts, looking to the stars and endless possibilities. But as we age, we become archeologists, looking for the significance and meaning of what has already happened. As believers, we are called to embrace both. We must be willing to acknowledge our need for the gospel in our past, while also following it in our future. - hereadstruth.com/2015/09/23/from-death-to-life/

That’s what this project is to me.
It’s a way for all of us to remember where we’ve been... through good times and bad...
and to be hopeful for our future together.

I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING:
In the summer of 2011, right before I turned 30, I started having panic attacks. They were some of the scariest moments in my life to this point. I know they’re not uncommon by any means, but the process to figure it all out brought about some pretty major changes for me. One of them being feeling this draw to songwriting as a way to process. It quickly became a way that I worked out my issues with God and come to a recognition that he's here. Not just "over there," but here, present, with me too.

So, I started writing songs for the church.
These are songs that I never intended to record.
They were intended for use in the church where I work.
That's it.

See, I grew up in the church.
I still love the church.
And, I know that's not true for everyone.

The mission of Crosspoint Church really drives at connecting to the people that have been disconnected, disenfranchised, broken down by and have baggage from the church. As Crosspoint began using some of these songs that birthed out of my journey, I came to find that I wasn't the only person working through many of these same issues.

Sometimes there’s joy in them.
Sometimes there's pain.
Sometimes it’s excitement.
Sometimes it's fear.

These aren’t just my songs.
These are their songs.
These are our songs.

But, I believe that God is bigger than all of it.

IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW:
Making a record isn't cheap. The cost of recording, mixing, and mastering with the fine folks I'll be working with is $1,000 per song. “Industry standard" for a full length album is 10 songs… I don’t like even numbers much so 11 becomes the natural next step. Throw in the fees and taxes for the campaign and we're at a cool $12,000 (that's not including CD duplication, mailing fees, sales, merchandise, etc... this is just production costs).

"So, why not do a an EP instead?" you ask. "That would save you some money, right?"

First, I'd tell you that I'm impressed with your knowledge of the term EP (for those of you not actually in the know about EPs it means “Extended Play” and usually consists of a few songs as a way to promote something coming on down the road). Then I'd say, "Because I can't." Something in me won't let me. Maybe it's divine inspiration. Maybe it's that this all freaks me out so bad that I may never do it again. Maybe it's because I've always shot for the moon... But, I'm not going to fight that feeling and I’m going to go for it… all out. I don’t have aspirations of becoming the next big name worship leader. I’m truly just trying to be faithful to the heading on which I’ve been set.

So, over the next 30 days I'm going to be attempting to fund this project via gofundme.com. I’ll be pushing this project through social media and personal contacts during that time. I’ll be posting videos, blog posts, and photos of the process all the way through. (Pictures of my kids will re-consume my social media feeds after the campaign concludes, I promise.)

For anyone who wants to financially contribute to this project I've set up a tiered "reward" system. Tiers will include everything from personal thank you cards to CDs (once they're available in early 2017), early access digital downloads to joining me in studio (in AUG & SEPT 2016), house shows, dinner at my house, and more!

I've already booked the studio time (with the illustrious
and illuminating Dave Elwart ) for the end of August and down payment is due to the production team at the end of July, so time is again creating a sense of urgency. The benefit of crowdfunding through gofundme.com is that whatever is raised is received. So, I'll work with whatever comes in, so if we don’t hit the goal, then we shorten the project. If we blow past it, then future costs can also be covered. Print costs and CD duplication will be the next major costs to come down the pike.

SO, HERE’S THE ASK:
I’m not looking for pats on the back or accolades. I’m just asking for you to consider getting behind the project. There are three ways that you can get involved in this:

1. Financially support the project. I’m just a pastor at a local church… not a megachurch that has 47 services, 300 staff, and 72 locations. It’s going to take a lot of help for me to pursue this calling. This project is a labor of love and I can't do it alone.

2. Pass it on. I like to think that I’m a pretty likable guy and that I don’t pressure people to do something they don’t want to do. So, if you can’t (or don’t want to) donate, no problem! You can still help by spreading the word. If you know someone that likes new music, pass this on (I hate the self-promotion side of these campaigns, so the more word of mouth that can spread about this, the better).

3. PRAY. This is the most important piece to this whole puzzle for me. I mentioned that this freaks me out and it’s the truth. I’m a strong believer in the power of prayer and that God rarely calls the equipped, but he equips the called. So, throw one up for me as often as you can. I’m going to need it because I’ve never done anything like this before.

+
So, that’s it. This is where my heart is.

I’ve adopted this paraphrase of Psalm 40:3, “A new song has been placed in me in hopes that it will invite other people into the mystery of God.” 

New songs that will hopefully connect people to God.

That’s all this is for me. 

If you want to be involved in the support of the project, I’d love to know! Check back often and leave comments!

Make sure you check out the reward structure and donate as you can.

If you have questions or want to know more, please hit me up through the contact button on the campaign page and we'll chat.

Thanks for exploring this adventure with me.

Here's to the future.
Here's to hope.
Here's to all the astronauts.

Your friend,
PJ