Ministry, Minutes, Miles and Music

  Hello friends, family, and ministry supporters!

We've spent the past three weeks preparing 18 songs, 2 dramas, and stories of our need for redemption. Many hours of seminars, rehearsals, prep time and long days. In other words a very stressful but fulfilling last few weeks. With all of the preparation I'm finally at a place where I can say I'm so excited to begin our first time on the road together as a team! 

Today starts training tour! We will be on the road with a staff member who will show us the ropes then we will be on our own. This is a scary fact because we have new music, business roles and new and greater expectations of ourselves and the CTI as a company. Below is a copy of our tour schedule at the moment.

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As we leave to begin out stateside tour would you please partner with us and

Please be praying for:
 

• A new perspective on ministry 
• For God at work to be seen in us
• Fundraising for each team member
• Growth as a team and a desire to serve each other
• A deeper desire to pursue God through it all, and renewed spiritual discipline
• Recruiting throughout the year so that we would have a full summer program in order to serve our partners best! 
• Our Hong Kong partners as they continue to do the ministry they do year-round, and as they prepare for our time with them and the opportunities that will bring

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***We’ll be on our training tour until the 20th of September. Then we’ll head to Hong Kong on Sept 26th! We’ll be preparing 6 songs in Cantonese, so pray because I will need to have everything memorized in less than a week. Please pray that I can be intentional in my studies especially in memorizing the lyrics so I can effectively minister while in China. We have a pretty huge event once we arrive the Mid-Autumn Festival. The moon is supposed to be the brightest and fullest, which is why the festival is also known as the "Day of Reunion" and the "Moon Festival".  This is a huge national holiday in which the entire city shuts down to celebrate. So please be praying God will bless our preparation. 

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***Here at CTI we are reminded that we are messengers first, musicians second. We are called to deliver the message of God and thus we have been gifted to do so with our musical talents.  Sometimes I feel the pressure to sing better/perform better. Unfortunately, this mindset causes me to focus more on myself and our abilities as a team and less on the message of Christ. Please pray that I think of myself less, and of God more. At the end of the day, it isn’t about me or how I sound, it’s about sharing the impact that God has had in my life and, more importantly, the freedom, joy, and salvation that is found when we decide to follow Him. 

I have been really struggling with lyrics but I have the luxury to be staying with Nick and Kristen, (my host parents) who are musicians and they have been helping me run the music, at the house, so that is helping tremendously. I am so grateful for them, while getting to know them, David (drummer) and I found out they were asked to be our host parents just one week before our arrival. They so graciously open their homes to us and made us apart of their while here in Wilmar for this year. We know this was a difficult decision to make in such short notice and will be forever grateful for their hospitality, love and sacrifice they have made and extend to us daily. 

As always, if you'd still like to donate to the my year or if you know of anyone who may be interested in being a part of this journey, please let me know!! You can Give Click Here!

 

CTI Music Ministry

Hello friends, family, and ministry supporters!

Its been a while since I wrote a blog but I am back to share with you all my journey with CTI this year. 

I finally arrived in the tiny town of Willmar, MN on Friday, August 7th. Its about an hr or so outside of Minneapolis. Willmar is the epitome of a small, farm town, and I have been totally placed outside of my comfort zone.   I actually thought I was being kidnapped, seemed like something out of a horror film (maybe I just have watched too many). But I have to admit I have found a lot of peace here. 

The first few days were nothing but restful. My host parents are Kristen (classical pianist) and Nick Castiglione (classical guitarist and Drummer); a lovely couple, young multi-talented, youth educators. We had a wonderful day out on the lake. (pictures below) I stay here with my housemate, David, from CA who is also the drummer for my full-time team. There are 8 full timers, including myself.

Roxanne Huber -Sewickley, Pennsylvania - Sound Tech

Matthew Celeste - Bellevue, Pennsylvania - Guitar

David Albers - Bakersfield, CA - Drums

Samuel Iun - Stouffville, Ontario, CANADA - Bass Guitar

Elisa Tung - Markham, Ontario, CANADA - Keys

Kirsten Kennedy - Chicago, Illinois - Vocals

Keilah Quimby - Ogden, Utah - Vocals 

Bradley Banks - Youngstown, Ohio - Vocals

Our band is called 14:21 (our team is named after passages in Acts (i.e. Acts 14:21-22). I've gotten to know him and the rest of the full timers pretty well this past week, and I'm very eager to go on this journey with them. Click here: CTI WELCOME VIDEO

We began training this past Monday-Friday at 8Am till about 8:30pm, so for the next few weeks, I'll be pretty busy. Not only is the rep. challenging but it's pushing me vocally, spiritually and physically. I am becoming a better all around vocalist and performer. Our leadership siminars are amazing. We are learning the correct way to minister to the lost by first understanding our personal needs for Jesus. Then effectively using our life experiences to build a bridge to the gospel of Jesus Christ by sharing those needs. 

After 3 weeks of training, we'll begin our "training tour" which will last two weeks (locations TBA). On this tour, we'll be accompanied by a staff member. After this short tour, we'll return to Minnesota for about a week to refresh, and then I'll head to Hong Kong for three weeks with 14:21!!! I'm very excited to experience China and I pray that I'll keep you all in the loop, even in the midst of a hectic schedule if not during I absolutely will when I return.

After we get back in October, we'll tour for several weeks, on East Coast so hopefully I'll get to see some of you! Then we'll get a Christmas break for about 2 weeks. Then We will held West and North to Canada.

I'm really looking forward to this journey, but please, please PLEASE keep me in your prayers. Please pray:

• Against insecurity. I'm surrounded by a ton of talented individuals and it's really easy to feel like I'm not good enough.
• For authentic community. Being around the same 7 people for weeks on end will be a struggle. Pray that we can learn each other and LOVE and tolerate each other despite the challenges. Those of you that know me well know I need a little extra prayer in this regard lol.
• For our ministry. I pray that we do our ministry effectively so that people can experience The Lord like they never have before. I pray for the continuous opening of minds, hearts, and eyes. 
• For fundraising. I'm currently at about 25% of my budget, so please continue to pray that I stay encouraged and continue to be bold when reaching out to people for support. 

As always, if you'd still like to donate to the my year or if you know of anyone who may be interested in being a part of this journey, please let me know!! You can Give Click Here!

In His Name, 

Bradley Banks

Faceless Images

My life is a string of unfortunate events. Not peaches and cream it's more like salt and vinegar chips.

 "When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence." ~ Ansel Adams

We live in a very visual society. Photographs have been used to capture moments in time. It's been said that photos speak a thousand words without making a sound. With social sites like Instagram and Pinterest we use this fast way to update friends and family on our complex lives.

We look at images and sometimes miss their importance. There's more than just the face value. With pictures we are able to feel the emotion of that moment in time. Pictures of a child brings a since of innocence. Pictures of a graduation brings the since of achievement. Pictures are associated with memories. It's kind of funny to me because we never capture hard times or difficult memories. Faceless images, what isn't seen isn't there. What isn't captured isn't worth remembering.

Is it fair to say that those memories are not real because there are not photos to look back upon? If your answer to that question was yes, you probably should go seek help because your in denial.  The un captured  memories are there and yes they do hurt.

My mother died recently and just like we always do in times of grieving we began to look for photos. I found one of the two of us. One picture. And just like that one photo it was challenging to find more then one great memory. When someone dies we look back on the memories, the great memories. Everyone in my family was talking about the memories that they had, the memories that they shared, and I have none. At least no great ones that I remember. I feel as though my mind has been overshadowed by the bad circumstances that I went through. I was so young when I was in my mothers care,  the bad memories have made lasting tattoos on my mind.

When she died. The people in her community had nothing but positive things to say about her. Now besides her being gone it now it hurt me the most because I didn't have the same feelings. Once again I am forced to confront my faceless images. It seemed as though she shared her love with everyone else but me. I didn't understand, still don't and probably never will.

Even though memories can sometimes be unwanted and often times would like to be forgotten they are part of who we are. I've embraced every memory. Time, prayer and God's love makes it better. My faith is so strong because he has been the really only constant thing in my life. When i'm weak His strength has been perfect. It has helped me embrace my pass and I've allowed Him to use it for the good in my future.

My heart, don't stop, my heart be beating over 

My loving never stop, even though that it's over

All of Got Are These Photographs

And this is life...

Signed, Mom

My life is a string of unfortunate events. It's not peaches and cream. It's more like salt and vinegar chips.

I have this box, not like a shoe box but it's a box. Well it's not really a box more like a wooden chest. It's where I keep my secret collection. I collect cards, greeting cards to be exact. Every birthday, Christmas, graduation card you name it I got a card for every significant occasion in my life. This collection of cards have come from many friends, family and colleagues. I hold cards because they each are near and dear to me. Sometimes I go back and read through all of them. They make me stronger. They show that I have support and show that I am loved.

When we search for a card we put a lot of thought into our purchase. Cards show how much we love, appreciate and celebrate the recipient. I usually have to read thru a couple of cards before making the right choice. Although I don't buy cards that often I thoroughly enjoy receiving them. That's something I need to work on.

After my parents, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jimmy, (now I know you might be confused but just keep reading), gained custody of me I would often look in the mail for cards. It had been a couple of months since I was with my mother and thanksgiving had already passed Christmas and I'm pretty sure a birthday.

One day I did get some mail it was an envelope from my mother. I was so happy to receive a card I opened it I read. I looked for a note, an apology, something!  All that was there was

, Mom

Mom? that's it? Mom?...no I'm coming to visit you. No, how are you doing? no I miss you but just 

, Mom.

To this day I am still excited when I receive a card. Maybe this is the one? I ask myself. Why wouldn't you want to send a card to someone you love? When it's not the one I'm looking for I just add to my obnoxious collection and continue waiting... Maybe just one more card would make me feel loved, feel wanted, feel missed but here's the funny thing I'm still waiting on my card (cards).

Recently I've received a few new cards, but none like any I've received previously. Sympathy cards. I'm thankful for those who were thoughtful enough to send and give these. I've cried reading each and everyone. I appreciate you. You make me strong, these cards help me heal.

Although Ill never receive another card from her I will cherish the one that I do have because it does show that I was loved even though all that was there was

, Mom

...maybe I'm just writing too much and should have just signed this

,Your Son

And this is life...

And This is Life...

This will be the first of my mini blog series. I am deciding to write a book about my life. I'm using this blog to get out all my feelings and honestly talking about them to anyone is not my style. So I am going to allow my fingers to do the talking for me. So what you read will be an excerpt from my book which will be published later in life. I'm writing as I experience it, life is so complex. As Christians we often avoid our feelings, this is my way of confronting them. God is able to heal but we must let things go in order to hear from him and allow Him to do His work. Many of the things you read might come as a surprise. My life is not perfect nor does it come without trials. The inspiration to write comes from my friends, Taryn and Elaina, who I met in college. They have become a vital part of my family. So enjoy, I'm praying that whoever reads these will be blessed to let things of the past go. I'm also hoping this will heal so many people as it is helping in my own healing process. I leave you by saying

And This Is Life...