My name is Jonathan, and I’m a 34-year-old worship music director and musician. I started playing guitar when I was 9 years old. Growing up around church musicians, I stayed close to the music ministry and learned not only guitar, but how to play and understand the other instruments around me.

Today, one of the greatest blessings in my life is being able to pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

I started working with a group of young musicians at our church, some only 12 and 13 years old. When we first began, many of them were learning from the very beginning. It took patience, countless practices, repeating parts over and over, and encouraging them when something didn’t sound right.

But they kept showing up.

Today our worship group includes a 12-year-old bass player, a 17-year-old drummer, a 17-year-old pianist, a 13-year-old alto saxophone player, a 13-year-old trumpet player, a 17-year-old percussionist, a 19-year-old guitarist, and myself.

Watching their growth has been incredible. Our drummer has learned to play different genres and styles. Our pianist is constantly experimenting with strings, sounds, and new musical ideas. Our younger horn players challenge themselves every practice. Our bass player is developing a real passion for his instrument. And together, they are learning something even more important—how to listen to one another and play as one group.

These young musicians already have the dedication. What we’re missing are the resources.

Most of them are too young to have jobs, and up until now I have personally tried to purchase the equipment and supplies we need. I’ve bought strings, cables, drumsticks, accessories, and other equipment whenever I could.

I recently personally purchased a Nord keyboard for our worship group because I wanted our pianist and our ministry to have an instrument they could grow with. After that investment, I’ve reached a point where I simply cannot continue purchasing everything we need by myself.

Some of the instruments we currently use are very old and heavily worn. Our saxophone in particular shows years of wear and damage. But these kids don’t complain—they practice and worship with what we have.

We’re not asking for luxury instruments. We’re asking for dependable equipment that won’t limit their growth.

We are raising $3,000 toward an alto saxophone, saxophone microphone, in-ear monitoring equipment, microphones and stands, cables, guitar equipment, strings, drumsticks, percussion equipment, batteries, and other supplies needed to keep the worship group going.

We have already identified approximately $2,265 in equipment needs, with additional percussion equipment and supplies still needed.

I have videos from when these young musicians were first learning, and when I compare those moments to how they play today, it reminds me why I never gave up on them.

This fundraiser isn’t about trying to create a music group someday. The group already exists. The kids are already practicing. They’re already playing. They’re already putting in the work.

I simply want to give them the tools to keep going.

Whether you can give $5, $10, $25, $100, or simply share our fundraiser, we are grateful. Every contribution will be used toward helping these young musicians continue developing their gifts and serving through worship.

My hope is that years from now, these young people will look back and remember that there were people who believed in their gifts and helped give them an opportunity to grow.

Thank you for believing in our young musicians, supporting our worship ministry, and helping us continue what we’ve started.

God bless you. 🙏🎶

— Jonathan, Worship Music Director