- V
- A
- N
I am very excited and honored that I was accepted into Bethel's School of Worship [BSW] this year!
I did attend this school in 2013 and it changed everything for me. So you may ask, why would you go again? So let me fill you in a little bit on the last few years.
I was born into a very musical family. I was raised in a home where worship came first. I grew up singing at home and in the church. I wouldn't ever shut up.
I remember singing a christmas special at church one year and a few of the kids made fun of me saying singing was for losers and girls. I believed that lie and told everyone "I lost my voice" or "I dont know how anymore." I did this for years, standing out in the congregation, refusing to open my lips, even though in my heart I knew God had put a calling on my life.
When I was 17 I couldn't hold it in anymore. I didn't want to be the leader, I just wanted to stand in the back and harmonize. I was asked to join the worship team and was excited to finally let out a little of what had been held in.
My mom and I went to American Idol auditions, where I was turned away immediately. I went to America's Got Talent and was turned away again. My heart broke, I felt like I wasn't good enough anymore.
I got caught up in a lot of trouble and left the church and walked away from my family. I gave up singing again. I gave up worship. After months of digging myself into a dark hole I realized that I was nothing apart from Jesus.
I reconnected with my parents and they helped me get back on my feet. I moved in with my grandparents and got my life back together. My parent's church is an awesome place, but I felt like God was pulling me in a different direction. My parents recommended their friend's church. [There was a singing group , Soul Devotion, who I was obsessed with throughout my childhood, had become a church in Modesto] So I walked in, broken, to a church called Soul Harvest Worship Center, and everything changed.
I encountered God's presence and He began to remold me back into who I was created to be. The words spoken over me my entire life began to flood my head. I dove in to this walk with God head first and gave Him everything I had.
I was very nervous, but after some time at the church, I joined the worhsip team. I was so happy to be back where I was supposed to be in worhsip. But, I really, really just wanted to stay in the background.
I was accepted in to BSW'13 and went and everything changed. I let go of all fear of leading. I let go of everything that was holding me down. I learned what it was to lead, what a priviledge, what a responsibility. I came home and worked really hard to becoming a good leader. I struggled, and it wasn't always easy, but I pushed through. Even when I wanted to give up (which was often).
My mom had asked me to audition for a few competitions, this scared me to death. I had been rejected by the competion world already, but I agreed. I ended up winning both local competitions, one of which gave me a silver ticket to American Idol for its farewell season. I went, and didn't make it. But, unlike last time, I did not feel like a failure. I instead was excited. The Lord spoke to me and said that He wanted me to worship Him with my gift. That it was for Him and to begin writing Him songs and to record a worship album. I, then, was able to come home and be offered a full time position at my church assisting in the worhsip department.
All of that to bring me to this.
BSW'13 unlocked me to be able to step out and lead.
This year I want to unlock the writer within. They have so many classes from some of the greatest writers of worship in our time. With this school I will have the chance to get trained and equipped to be able to write my very best. After the school I inted to write an album and record and release it!
I could really use your help financially and with your prayers!
With your donations I will be able to cover my tuition for the school as well as the cost of living for the 2 week course in Redding, CA.
I want to thank those that are able to help ahead of time and to thank those who will partner with me in prayer through this next season of my life! And also thank you for helping me by sharing this!
I love you all and wouldn't be who I am today without all of your support!
Ryan Hammond
My home church: Soul Harvest Worship Center
School: Bethel School of Worship 2016 (WorshipU On-Campus). Located at Bethel in Redding, CA. The school will be held July 11th-22nd.
My first round of tuition is due March 1st.
Second round of tuition is due May 1st.
I did attend this school in 2013 and it changed everything for me. So you may ask, why would you go again? So let me fill you in a little bit on the last few years.
I was born into a very musical family. I was raised in a home where worship came first. I grew up singing at home and in the church. I wouldn't ever shut up.
I remember singing a christmas special at church one year and a few of the kids made fun of me saying singing was for losers and girls. I believed that lie and told everyone "I lost my voice" or "I dont know how anymore." I did this for years, standing out in the congregation, refusing to open my lips, even though in my heart I knew God had put a calling on my life.
When I was 17 I couldn't hold it in anymore. I didn't want to be the leader, I just wanted to stand in the back and harmonize. I was asked to join the worship team and was excited to finally let out a little of what had been held in.
My mom and I went to American Idol auditions, where I was turned away immediately. I went to America's Got Talent and was turned away again. My heart broke, I felt like I wasn't good enough anymore.
I got caught up in a lot of trouble and left the church and walked away from my family. I gave up singing again. I gave up worship. After months of digging myself into a dark hole I realized that I was nothing apart from Jesus.
I reconnected with my parents and they helped me get back on my feet. I moved in with my grandparents and got my life back together. My parent's church is an awesome place, but I felt like God was pulling me in a different direction. My parents recommended their friend's church. [There was a singing group , Soul Devotion, who I was obsessed with throughout my childhood, had become a church in Modesto] So I walked in, broken, to a church called Soul Harvest Worship Center, and everything changed.
I encountered God's presence and He began to remold me back into who I was created to be. The words spoken over me my entire life began to flood my head. I dove in to this walk with God head first and gave Him everything I had.
I was very nervous, but after some time at the church, I joined the worhsip team. I was so happy to be back where I was supposed to be in worhsip. But, I really, really just wanted to stay in the background.
I was accepted in to BSW'13 and went and everything changed. I let go of all fear of leading. I let go of everything that was holding me down. I learned what it was to lead, what a priviledge, what a responsibility. I came home and worked really hard to becoming a good leader. I struggled, and it wasn't always easy, but I pushed through. Even when I wanted to give up (which was often).
My mom had asked me to audition for a few competitions, this scared me to death. I had been rejected by the competion world already, but I agreed. I ended up winning both local competitions, one of which gave me a silver ticket to American Idol for its farewell season. I went, and didn't make it. But, unlike last time, I did not feel like a failure. I instead was excited. The Lord spoke to me and said that He wanted me to worship Him with my gift. That it was for Him and to begin writing Him songs and to record a worship album. I, then, was able to come home and be offered a full time position at my church assisting in the worhsip department.
All of that to bring me to this.
BSW'13 unlocked me to be able to step out and lead.
This year I want to unlock the writer within. They have so many classes from some of the greatest writers of worship in our time. With this school I will have the chance to get trained and equipped to be able to write my very best. After the school I inted to write an album and record and release it!
I could really use your help financially and with your prayers!
With your donations I will be able to cover my tuition for the school as well as the cost of living for the 2 week course in Redding, CA.
I want to thank those that are able to help ahead of time and to thank those who will partner with me in prayer through this next season of my life! And also thank you for helping me by sharing this!
I love you all and wouldn't be who I am today without all of your support!
Ryan Hammond
My home church: Soul Harvest Worship Center
School: Bethel School of Worship 2016 (WorshipU On-Campus). Located at Bethel in Redding, CA. The school will be held July 11th-22nd.
My first round of tuition is due March 1st.
Second round of tuition is due May 1st.