An Open Letter From Holland Davis

Dear Friends of Ocean Hills…

Over 5 1/2 years ago, Pastor Skip Heitzig invited Roxie and myself to partner with him in a great venture of faith called Ocean Hills Church.  We had no idea what God had in store for us, but with excitement we came alongside of Pastor Skip and faithfully served to build a strong, healthy and vibrant ministry.  When I arrived, we didn’t have a sound engineer, we were lacking equipment, we didn’t have musicians and within the first year we saw growth and stability.  Today, Ocean Hills has  a strong worship ministry with a media department that reaches the world through the internet, the ability to record live worship CD’s and a well developed infrastructure that is ready for growth.

Our time has not been without challenges.  When Pastor Skip received God’s call to return to Calvary Albuquerque to bring health to a difficult situation, he asked me to stay and be a stabilizing factor at Ocean Hills.  During the ensuing transition there were many faces in the pulpit, but Roxie and I remained a constant presence through our teaching, serving and leading God’s people in fulfillment of Pastor Skip’s request.  This year that commitment was completed when the board announced Jim Nicol as Senior Pastor of Ocean Hills Church.

With so much accomplished, Roxie and I believe that a new season is upon us.  It was the Apostle Paul that said… forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (Phil 3:13b, 14, 12 NKJV).

Therefore, it is our strong conviction that God is leading us out of Ocean Hills into a new venture of faith.  We have mixed emotions as we “lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of us.”  We have sorrow because we have fond memories of our time at Ocean Hills and we will miss worshipping with you all.  We also have excitement as we move forward into the future.  But most of all we have gratitude for the privilege of serving our Lord together.

We want to thank Pastor Skip Heitzig for inviting us to come.  We serve well together and I look forward to continued opportunities to serve in the future.  We want to thank the board of elders for inviting us to continue our service at Ocean Hills.  We want to thank Pastor Jim Nicol for continued partnership in ministry at Ocean Hills.  We especially want to thank over 50 staff and volunteers who I personally had the privilege of working side by side with each and every week.  You make ministry such a joy and so easy to serve.

As we move forward into the future, we covet your prayers.  We also encourage you to continue the work which was started by Pastor Skip and myself.  Be a community of the Word, a community who worships and a community who serves in love.

Roxie and I look forward to seeing what the Lord will do in you and in us as we continue to walk according to His ways.

Blessings…

HD

To The Pure All Things Are Pure

Here is a devotional that I received from NLT…

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15, NLT

Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. What is the difference? Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil. The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world. But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear.

Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and his Word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil.

My thoughts….
I had a very wise pastor tell me that what you see in others and are emotionally charged about is really a reflection of what you see in yourself. If you are always accusing others of selfishness it’s probably because there is selfishness in your own heart.

I have found that those who are most focused on purity and holiness are generally least pure and holy. Those who constantly see the worst in people and see every action in the most severe light are generally acting out of their own shame and guilt for something that they’ve done or has been done to them.

This is the power of the gospel. God so loves us that He gives us grace and mercy – not only to forgive, but to transform our lives into the very image of Himself. He exchanges the faulty lens that we see each other through and gives us His lens… His perspective.

That is the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. The flesh points out weakness, the Spirit points out Jesus. When the Spirit points out Jesus, the natural response is gratitude.

Is your heart full of accusations and pain for something that has happened to you? Then why don’t you bring it to the cross and allow Jesus to give you His perspective. What is His perspective? To forgive those who did harm to Him and even provide for them a way of salvation. You might say… this is too hard. Let me say this… it’s not too hard, it’s impossible!!! But God empowers us by His Spirit to extend forgiveness and peace even to those who intend to harm us… for what they meant for evil, God means for good. As you allow Jesus to power through your life in forgiveness… watch gratitude and thanksgiving overflow from your life.

Joshua Generation Launches

Joshua Generation launches tonight @ 7:00 PM. Ocean Hills Church. Come join us.

Holland Davis @ Ocean Hills 9 & 11 am…

Tomorrow I am teaching on worship at the 9 & 11am services at Ocean Hills. Pray for God to save the lost!!!

Spirit And Truth:  A Study In Worship

John 4:23-24

Watch live online at http://www.oceanhillschurch.com

Let It Rise Promo Video

Hey everyone… just a heads up on mynew book coming out the end of May 2009!!! You can pre-order your copy through Barnes and Nobel (best price). If you want more info… check out my website – HOLLANDDAVIS.COM

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!!

LET IT RISE: A MANUAL FOR WORSHIP
Written by veteran worship leader and songwriter…
Holland Davis

From The Publisher
Let It Rise is a comprehensive resource for worship leaders
and worshippers alike. A collection of theological and practical
insights gathered from over 30 years of worship ministry. This book is
a practical, informative, and easy to read. Written with a great mix of
common sense, humor, and sensitivity, Let It Rise is an
invaluable resource for worship leaders everywhere, particularly for
those who are just getting started. It is a working manual that covers
all aspects of worship leadership.

As an added bonus, this book gives the reader a free download of Holland
Davis’s platinum-selling song “Let It Rise.”

CLICK ON HERE TO SEE THE PROMO VIDEO FOR LET IT RISE… A MANUAL FOR WORSHIP

Waves Of Mercy Over Scotland – Week 2

Alot has happened over the past week… here is a recap:

Night Of Worship @ Bridgeton Life Christian Fellowship

Tuesday and Wednesday we were in Glasgow.  Wednesday we did a Night Of Worship at Bridgeton Life Church.  It’s almost like a Dream Center type of feel… they have many who come to church drunk or high on drugs.  We had the opportunity to pray for several folks in need.

Thursday we were at Calvary Chapel Denfermline where we did a Night of Worship and a skate demo at the local skate park.  It was amazing.  We experienced our first heckler on the street.  Apparently… there are some in Scotland who object to the preaching of God’s Word and prayer.  The meeting hall we held our concert in was covered with paintings depicting almost demonic themes.  There is an art teacher at the school that is leading the kids to this kind of expression.  We need to join Pastor Ken Scott in praying the art teacher out of there and replacing him with an art teacher that will lead the kids to painting godly themes.

Dakota praying with kids at the local skatepark in Denfirmline

Friday we went to Calvary Chapel Stirling where we did street evangelism, a skate demo and a Night of Worship.  The little church held just a few people and 9 new people came.  That is amazing for Scottish standards.

The following day we did a Worship Life Conference with 15 worship leaders from many different cities.  Again by Scottish standards this was considered a hugely successful event.  There were several different churches represented from the surrounding regions.  One group came from around 1 hour away.

Saturday night we ended up in Carluke where we held a Night of Worship at the Calvary Chapel there.  It was a great time of worship and the church was packed to capacity.  What a great church with a great community.  It was a well rounded family church with good healthy leadership.

Sunday was a killer day.  We led worship Sunday AM at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Hamilton.  That was a lively time of worship with a very fun church.  Then we went to Kirk O Shotts where we held a Conventical service.  A Conventical service is a service that the Covenanters used to hold in secret due to persecution.  It was a great time of prayer for revival.  After that, we quickly went to Coat-Bridge where we did a Night of Worship at Elim Familiy Church.  This was another dynamic, packed to capacity crowd.

Every where we’ve gone we’ve been giving away our CDs and resources to worship leaders.  It’s our prayer that they be equipped and empowered to go further and deeper with our Lord!!!

Blessings

Holland

Waves Of Mercy Over Scotland

Here I am speaking to a group of hard core rockers in Scotland

First of all, I have to say that I can’t believe I’m in Scotland.  What an amazing country.  Beautiful countrysides, lots of history and culture, fish and chips and some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted!!!

Our first official day of ministry is Wednesday, but God has had other plans.  He’s breaking out all over!!!  The first night we arrived, one of our team – Dakota – a world class trick scooter rider went to a local skate park and blew the place up!!!  He started to skate and immediately a crowd of kids started to gather.  Over 130 kids turned up and he dominated the crowd.  They had to shut down the park.  Pastor Jim and myself were talking about how effective this kind of outreach is to draw a crowd of kids, give away free t-shirts, hats and skateboards – but more importantly to give away the gospel!!!

Tuesday was to be a light touring day – but while we were sitting in the city square of Glasgow a group of hardcore rockers sat next to us.  I took it as a divine appointment and started talking to the kids.  It was evident just how lost and without hope these kids are.  It also pointed out that we need a good church plant in Glasgow that will reach this generation of kids.  I don’t think the acoustic guitar and djembe laden style that characterizes many churches in Scotland will work.  They need a cool, vibey, rockin church with amazing Bible teaching and loving folks who will literally be the parent that these kids don’t have in their lives.  I would encourage you to join me in praying for these kids.  Without a good church community to disciple them it is most likely that many will grown up never experiencing the power of the gospel in Christian fellowship.  Many churches and missions teams from the US will come, leave their deposit of God and then go away and leave these kids to their hopeless lifestyles – making literally zero lasting impact.  I’m praying that God will either lead us to partner with dynamic churches in Scotland or to plant dynamic churches in Scotland.

Hari Krishna Evangelists

I was also blown away by the presence of cult evangelists like the Hari Krishna’s.  While their presence was known in this city, the presence of Christians was strangely absent.  I don’t think we need to make this point further… but how shall they hear unless someone tells them?

We’re excited about the divine appointments that God is already bringing our way!!!

Blessings!!!

Hd

Teen Challenge @ Ocean Hills

I had the privilege of leading worship with one of the Teen Challenge Choirs. It was an amazing morning of testimony and worship – and of course the Word!!!

I have a special heart for Teen Challenge. It was while watching The Cross And The Switchblade that I received the call to the ministry. I was around 14 or 15 at the time. I thought to myself that if the gospel has the power to transform the lives of broken drug addicted gang members in New York city, then I want to preach it as far and as wide as I can.

Their anniversary is being celebrated this year. I’m praying that I’ll have the opportunity to meet David Wilkerson and thank him for his faithfulness to our Lord!!!