SurgeForward - October 2 & 3, 2009

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This schedule is tentative, and is subject to change.

Speakers & Acts

Robbie Seay Band

Houston's Ecclesia Church sits on the edge of downtown like a frontier outpost. During the week, it's a community outreach center, art gallery, coffee house, and recording studio. But on Sunday, its space becomes sanctuary to the homeless and drug addicted, as well as to the high profile attorney and suburb-dweller who fill its seats.

The church is also home base for the Robbie Seay Band, forming as much of their identity as the music they play. Pastored by Robbie's brother Chris, Ecclesia's services are a mix of the liturgical (weekly communion, communal prayer) and experiential (an artist painting on stage during the service. The Band can be found leading worship for the church most Sundays, except when touring takes them away from home.

Long before the release of their critically acclaimed 2005 Sparrow Records debut, Better Days, the Robbie Seay Band began developing a reputation for their unique style of worship music, grounded in community and in the life journeys of each of its members.  In addition to Robbie, who serves as the group's voice and principal songwriter, the Band consists of long-time friends Dan Hamilton and Ryan Owens.  Dan has played with Robbie for a decade, dating back to the Metro Bible Study for which they, Caedmon's Call, and Watermark led worship. Ryan approached Robbie eight years ago at a Bebo Norman concert to ask if they needed a bass player and has been with them ever since.  "We have grown up together," Robbie says of the Band.  "We have walked side-by-side for nearly a decade, in the context of our community and living a normal life together.  That makes the music more meaningful."

Known for an alternative worship style that features raw, insightful lyrics coupled with an equally edgy and engaging sound, the Robbie Seay Band's much-anticipated sophomore Sparrow release, Give Yourself Away, finds them pushing their musical craft to new limits under the guiding hand of producer Tedd T. (Mutemath, delirious).  The sound of "Give Yourself Away" carries a new energy and relevance, an aggressive step forward from "Better Days." The album bears the influence of British rock (Travis, Keane) as well as modern worshippers such as David Crowder Band and Tim Hughes.

"Give Yourself Away" also marks the first time the group has turned over production reins to a sole producer.  "Tedd's imprint is all over this project," explains Robbie.  "Crafting this project with Tedd has been a natural growth process for the Band; he stretched us and challenged us. It's been the best experience I've had in music."

But it has always been the poetic, vulnerable and honest lyrics that have set Robbie Seay Band apart.  "This project contains a lot of the stories of our lives from the past year," said Robbie.  "It is a missional record, almost a rebirth of how we're seeing our faith and how we're seeing a lot of young Christians respond to the need around them," explains Robbie.  "As believers, we are being awakened to the call to give of ourselves, to live out life together honestly, in community. As we find hope together, it pushes us to be proactive in our faith."

The project begins with the anthemic call to action "Rise," which charges "Rise, rise, people of love, rise/Give yourself away."  "If you choose the life of God," says Robbie, "it's not going to be easy, but it's an amazing life to lead."

"New Day" is a pop hit-in-waiting written to Seay's wife, Liz. "It's saying that the world around us is pretty messed up, with war and injustice, but in this brief moment, there's still the hope of God that's always surrounding us." The equally upbeat "Song Of Hope" is an invitation to engage with the living God, the Source of that Hope.

If these selections represent a new direction, "Shine Your Light On Us" is vintage Robbie Seay Band, a part of their repertoire that Robbie says people really connect with. "It's identifying our pain and our sorrow", the things I've gone through, the band's gone through, the community's gone through, they're the same," he says. "The lyric says, I've been broken down.  I've been holding on, but there's hope . . . God shine your light on us."

Seay has seen the larger church community in Houston tested by the influx of Hurricane Katrina refugees, and has been encouraged by the response. "For the first time in a long time, I've been proud to say I was part of this bigger picture", a bigger church.  Looking at churches responding to people in need . . . that's what Jesus did. In my city and around the country, that's happening."

This experience and Ecclesia's efforts in Africa inspired the song "Go Outside." "We really just became more aware of the need in the world and of how materialistic and selfish we are. That's kind of where the record began to go outward. We've received hope and grace, and "Go Outside" is about sharing that.

"Faith is fairly stale if we're not active and aware of the need around us," Robbie says, returning again to the theme of Give Yourself Away. "When we go back to Scripture, it's full of loving the orphans, the widows and the poor, and you look at Jesus and who He was and come away with that."

To this end, the Band is taking steps to raise awareness of the tragedy affecting many children in Uganda. Inspired by the film "Invisible Children," and the book "Girl Soldier" by Grace Akallo, the group hopes to help educate others about the plight of the Ugandan people, especially the children. The band encourages its audiences to support Compassion International, or another outreach of their choosing, during its shows.  The key, Robbie says, is to do something.

"I hope my music and life somehow may serve to encourage other believers to be proactive in their faith," concludes Robbie.  "For it is only as we bless others and offer grace that faith goes beyond words, and truly comes alive."

Surge forward will be the first stop of their Fall "Songs of Hope" Tour with Bethany Dillon and introducing, Caleb, featuring Caleb Chapman son of Steven Curtis Chapman.

Bethany Dillon

Bethany Dillon’s 2004 Sparrow Records debut stood out, because at only 14, she was a serious writer and artist creating her own material, mature beyond her years, with an authenticity of expression and an ability to own the emotion in her music. Audiences connected with her first record almost immediately, and the results included several hit singles, multiple Dove nods, critical acclaim, and an exponentially increasing grassroots fan base that propelled her career forward in great leaps.

Now six birthdays later, Bethany Dillon is married (to InPop recording artist Shane Barnard), has released her third acoustically rooted, rock-influenced, pop project, Waking Up, and is currently writing for her fourth full length release. Waking Up found her venturing into ever-deeper waters musically and thematically, leaning forward into life, and beginning to wrestle with her own shadows even as she celebrates the light that illumines them. The x-factor that informs Bethany’s constantly maturing artistry is the fact that her songs aren’t created in a vacuum. They’re coming from a place of personal weakness and hope that she willingly lives in, in increasing measure. For Bethany, there’s no such thing as an easy song. All of them are hard earned, and fraught with wonder and meaning.

“Waking Up is the most joyful record I’ve made,” Bethany explains, “even though it revolves around themes of brokenness and this feeling of being really, really small in the presence of God. When the Lord is growing something in me, it feels like a lot of things are dying—because they really are. And when the Lord is making things soft and vulnerable in me, it’s really painful. But even so, I think this is the freest sounding project I’ve created.”

Influenced for years by penetrating and poetic writers like Rich Mullins, Keith Green, and Sara Groves, Bethany has tended to gravitate toward themes that require a measure of courage and open-heartedness to explore. Co-produced by GMA’s 2005 Producer of the Year Ed Cash, as well as Will Hunt and John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band), Waking Up embraces big questions of suffering, barrenness, vulnerability, romance, and faithfulness. Like the writers Bethany has modeled herself after, she proves herself willing to live and create in that place of ambivalent tension that inevitably comes from refusing to settle for easy, feel-good answers. And yet, like the psalmist, Bethany has a penchant for finding the redemption in the midst of the pain.

For a young artist whose career discography has already revealed deep insight and spiritual maturity beyond her years, there’s no doubt listeners will indeed be Waking Up to the heartbeat of Christ in Bethany’s music once again.

Carlos Oscar

Carlos Oscar has risen to be one of the most sought after comics today.

Known for his charming, witty and energetic stage persona, Carlos fully acts out his jokes by telling stories everyone can identify with, and metamorphosing into various characters and voices. He jokes most often about the humorous side of family, pop-culture and everyday mishaps. His comedy is always crossover so it has given him a platform to entertain all audiences. Carlos states, "When people hear I'm clean, they may think 'how is he a comic?' The reality is I am much more creative and funnier with material I don't and won't fall back on with four-letter words or lewd innuendos to entertain an audience." It is Carlos' brand of comedy that has paved the way to appearances on TV such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," HBO and his recent Comedy Central performance.

Carlos was born in Manhattan, New York. On the 4th of July in Bellevue Hospital, as a matter of fact. He says, "What are the odds of a Puerto Rican guy being born in New York City — gotta be 2 to 1." His comedy influences were started very early on as a child. He states, "My big influences were Johnny Carson, whom I'd stay up on a school night to watch; Bill Cosby — simply the best; and, of course, someone with my similar background: New York born, Puerto Rican comic Freddie Prinze, Sr."

After finishing high school, Carlos enlisted in the U.S Air Force. Upon fulfilling his commitment, he returned to Los Angeles where he attended UCLA to take an acting class. It was during this class that he came to realize that comedy was his gift. "My dream is to one day be blessed with the opportunity to entertain people on TV every week with my own show. One that is truly crossover with great integrity and bottom-line FUNNY!!!"

Carlos lives in Pasadena, California with his wife and two daughters. And, his mother-in-law... don't laugh — it's true.

Gabe Salazar

At the age of 19, Gabriel Salazar accepted his first position as Outreach Director at an inner-city youth program in Fort Worth, Texas. Since then, he’s maintained a high level of commitment and enthusiasm to seeing teenagers succeed. His message challenges the youth of today and encourages them to make positive choices in their lives. Through the use of humorous skits, dynamic insights and real-life illustrations, Gabriel's message inspires and motivates his audience to action. He has a unique way of identifying with the youth of today, and he understands what they’re going through. Gabriel was born in San Antonio and raised in Houston but calls San Antonio home once again today. Outgoing and full of charisma, Gabriel would soon struggle with the choice between an acting contract with Nickelodeon Studios or following a calling of becoming a Youth Director. Needless to say, he declined the contract with Nickelodeon Studios. He graduated from high school and was voted class favorite and most boisterous. He was also a professional mascot for the San Antonio Missions baseball team. For that he was noted as Sports Illustrated's Mascot of the year in 1997. Gabriel went on to attend Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas where he pursued a major in Theology with a specialization in Administration. The National Society for Hispanic Professionals recently mentioned Gabe Salazar in a list of “50 Successful Latinos” for his participation with the Latino Speakers’ Bureau and has recieved "Special Recognition" from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Gabriel is also a certified crisis counselor for the Red Cross. Furthermore, Gabriel was contracted by the U.S. Army from 03’ -05’to produce inspirational school assemblies throughout South Texas high schools. He is also proud to be the first youth Speaker to be sponsored by LISTEN SKATEBOARD Co. Gabriel lives in San Antonio with his wife. Today Gabriel travels to middle schools and high schools, conventions and youth camps motivating students to raise their standards and live their lives with no regrets.

Loui Canchola

Loui Canchola is the founding and Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church, a dynamic, life-changing church in the Rio Grande Valley. Loui's passion is to reach today's generation by presenting the life-changing truth of God's Word in relevant and creative ways and connecting people to Jesus one life at a time. Loui and his wife Michelle have been married for 14 years and are parents to four amazing children. They reside in McAllen, Texas.

Bobby Minor

Bobby Minor is a dynamic, passionate, anointed speaker, author and navigator of life. Bobby's messages are Relevant, Creative and Challenging. He is a called voice for this generation as he travels across the country speaking at churches, corporations, colleges, concerts, and conferences. He is a wonderful communicator and what he teaches and speaks on comes from his heart based on his experience, not some classroom theory. Whether speaking to a group of troubled teens about overcoming adversity or to major corporations about leadership, adaptability, and making things happen, one thing is for certain, you will love his entertaining and humorous style. Bobby likes to "keep it real" so expect nothing less from him. This married, father of three is a servant leader at his home church, Waves of Faith, received his ABS in Biblical Studies from Andersonville Seminary and is a life-long resident of Fort Worth, Texas.

Mondy Cano

Mondy Cano has been in youth ministry for 22 years. His ministry is reaching across racial, social, and economic backgrounds. He spent twelve years as student Ministry Director at Christian Family Center, in Dallas, Texas, during which he created and developed an urban outreach that reached and ministered to hundreds of junior and senior high students on their campus. Mondy speaks at high school assemblies, youth camps, conventions, and mission trips. Mondy has been invited as an expert on youth culture on several radio and TV programs because of his ability to effectively communicate the gospel message through the use of humor and dynamic story telling. His passion is to challenge and equip students with the tools needed to give each student on their campus the opportunity to say "yes" to Jesus Christ. Mondy is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute and is an ordained minister. He and his wife are currently are pastoring at Christian Family Center. Mondy also is an adjunct Professor at Christ for the Nations.

Dr. Esiquiel P. “Sonny” Olivarez, Jr., D.O.

Sonny Olivarez Sonny was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX and has served in ministry for over 20 years. As a graduate of Baylor University, Sonny has been involved in various ministries across north Texas. He is currently a board certified Family Physician with work in both clinical and hospital medicine. He is a member and core leader at Waves of Faith in Fort Worth. He is intent on life transformational change through Jesus Christ in the modern day marriage and family.  

Dr. Olivarez has a rich family life with his wife Rachel and two sons, Noah and Jonah. He is a regular teacher in the children's preteen class. He also serves as needed as a speaker during weekend services and events. He and wife encourage and build up marriages in the church and with Family Life Conferences as new volunteer city coaches. His wife is a worship team leader and a women's disciple coach. Doctor Sonny's ultimate vision is to build up boys and men for Christ.

Jesse Rincones

Jesse Rincones loves his wife Brenda, his kids Jesse, Jonathan, Kimberly and Ethan. He is pastor of Alliance Church, a multi-ethnic congregation in Lubbock, Texas and serves on the boards of Hispanic Convention of Texas, Baptist University of the Americas, and CBF. He is a graduate of Texas Tech and Texas Tech Law School. He enjoys ministering to Third Generation Hispanic leaders, fishing, and eating pecan pie... and he's convinced that he can play a mean game of Galaga.

Tiny Dominguez

Daniel “Tiny” Dominguez is the Lead Pastor of Community Heights Church, a dynamic, life-changing church in Lubbock, Texas. Tiny's passion is to reach lives by presenting the life-changing truth of God's Word. Tiny has been an youth minister in Wichita Falls and Fort Worth, as well as serving on staff for the The Baptist General Convention of Texas as Hispanic Evangelism Associate, where his duties were to lead all statewide Hispanic youth and singles events. Currently he is serving the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas as the 3rd Vice President. Tiny preaches at camps, revivals, rallies, and conferences all over the country.

Worship Led By

Joey Rodriguez Band

Centro Worship (Friday Night)