The Gathering \ Performers

Western States Servant Band

The WSSB’s Mission Statement
The dual mission of the Western States Servant Band is to give praise to God through the voices, hands and hearts of young Lutheran Christians, and to empower gifted youth to become dynamic servants, leaders and witnesses for Christ.    

The WSSB’s History
The Western States Servant Band was created in 1993, becoming the first all-youth band to lead music at a major Lutheran youth gathering in the United States.  Since its inception, 58 musically-gifted teenagers from eight different western states have had the opportunity to serve with this band.  Over the years, the WSSB has led music at three national youth gatherings, five Western States Youth Gatherings, two regional gatherings -- and numerous synod gatherings, school assemblies and worship services across the country.  They have appeared in Atlanta GA, Seattle WA, Los Angeles CA, Fort Collins CO, Des Moines IA, Fremont NE, Oklahoma City OK, Portland OR, Sacramento CA, Walla Walla WA, Scottsdale AZ, Boise ID, Missoula MT, St. Louis MO, New Orleans LA, and many places in between.  They have recorded six CD’s, and have collected a repertoire of more than 125 songs.  The band is directed by Pastor Steve Olson who co-founded the group. 

www.servantband.org 


Agape
Agapé (Dave Scherer) has inspired youth from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Spokane, WA with his relational ministry "Hip Hop Outreach." Using Rhythmic American Poetry (rap), he is able to reach the young people of today in a way that they really "get it." He combines dancing, rapping, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish to captivate his audience and challenge them to explore their faith in God. With his passion for diversity, he invites people to bridge the gaps that exist in today's society. He has produced two CDs and travels across the country with his ministry

www.hiphopoutreach.com



Joe Castillo
Joe Castillo’s life was filled with art and music. Born in bustling cosmopolitan Mexico City, he was strongly influenced by the international art community. His mother taught painting. His father owned a graphic design and display company. His aunt and uncle owned the largest ballet school in Mexico. His Aunt Carolyn became a well known Key West artist listed with the Smithsonian Registry of Contemporary American Artists.

For a number of years Joe has been doing Illustrated Messages. These Art Sermons involve doing a four foot by eight foot mural of my artwork while teaching. They originate from a passage of scripture which I draw while I give a 35-40 minute message. The combination of using the eyes as well as the ears creates a double impact and more involvement with the audience. They have turned out to be a very effective vehicle for communicating truths from God’s Word.

His latest adventure in creative expression is something he calls SAND ART. Drawing in sand on a light table, he is able to create powerful, fluid illustrations for large audiences with an overhead video camera projected on a large screen.

http://joecastillo.com/the_artist.html



Lil’ Flipz & Jules
Julie Urich continues to soar to new heights every year. Starting with a career as a professional dancer she has accomplished more than she ever set out to. Now as she focuses her career onto acting she has a whole new set of goals to achieve. Some of her career highlights include appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, performing alongside Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker on consecutive Gap campaigns, and being ranked as the #1 female Break Dancer in the world by winning the Mighty4 B-Boy/B-Girl Battle. She has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages such as The Victory Theatre on Broadway and The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Now, she is set to star alongside Drew Sidora and Aimee Garcia in the upcoming feature film B-Girl shooting in Summer 2007.

Some of Jules other credits include You Got Served, So You Think You Can Dance, Billboard Music Awards, Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards and The Jay Leno Show. She has been featured in commercial campaigns for Coke, iPod, Wal-Mart, The Gap, Nike and Jolly Rancher.  Julie has also performed alongside such artists as Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Madonna, Missy Elliot and Run-DMC.

Julie just finished starring in the lead role of B-Girl an independent film following Angel a B-Girl from New York as she travels to LA to overcome the fear of her past. She also will be featured in Disney's upcoming feature film Step-Up 2.  Julie is a breathtaking performer and knows the importance of a solid foundation, therefore she continues to train as an actress with Tracy Aziz and Mark Pellegrino at Playhouse West Repertory Theatre. With all that she has accomplished Julie is still anticipating to soar even higher in 2008.

Ivan “Flipz.” Velez was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1979. He began tumbling at age 7, and was hugely inspired by the Olympics.  Soon there after, he began flipping off everything he found in his path.  In 1984, he saw the movie “Beat Street”, which ignited his desire for a new art form.  Having little luck attempting handspins and windmills, Flipz gave breakin’ a rest.  His father relocated his family to Florida for a better life in 1991.  Looking for the next  adrenaline rush, Flipz spotted BMX Freestyle in the XGames.  Watching  the creativity of the riders in the air triggered his curiosity. Flipz saved his money to buy a bike , and then built a ramp in his front yard- he hoped one day he too could be in the X Games.  

Now 15,  Flipz was attending King High School in Tampa, Florida- it was at  a talent show where he crossed paths with Richie  “Abstrak” Soto, who soon became his best friend and new partner in crime.  It was thanks to Abstrak that his  passion for b-boying was born. With his new partner, they formed Skill Methodz Crew in 1995.  ( See crew history for details) In 1999, Flipz relocated to Orlando after landing a contract with Universal Studios as a stunt/acrobatic dancer.  Searching for success in the commercial industry, Flipz’s passion brought him to New York.  He landed a series of jobs off Broadway including “Break- The Urban Funk Spectacular”, “Forever Swing”, “ Solar Powered”,  and Rennie Harris’s productions of “Rome and Jewels”, “Facing Mekka”,  “Repertory”, and “Illadelph Hip Hop Legends”.  After filming  4 commercials and 2 films (Tracks and Honey), he thought it was time to give LA a try.  While in LA,  he’s been hugely blessed to work with the biggest choreographers and alongside Hollywood’s biggest stars.

www.threestepproductions.com



Kendall Payne
Getting her start at the young age of 17, Kendall Payne was signed to Capitol Records (EMI) and released her first album “Jordan’s Sister” in 1999, which was later picked up and distributed by Sparrow Records (EMI). Over the next several years Payne worked tirelessly touring with The Lilith Fair, Dido, Third Day, Delirious, and many others, and seeing the use of her music in movies such as "Never Been Kissed" and TV shows such as "Popular" and "Felicity". With an extensive touring history under her belt, a Dove Award for "Best Alternative Album of the Year", and over 100,000 units sold the future was looking bright.

That is until a regime change at Capitol Records left Payne without label support, which is the "down and dirty" way of saying… she got dropped.

Entering a dark and trying season of disillusionment Payne still managed to channel her emotion into song. With the financial backing of her friend Zachary Levi (NBC's "Chuck"), Payne’s second project “Grown” was released independently in 2004. The release garnered tremendous critical accolades and unusually impressive sales, success and exposure that boomed after Payne’s song “Scratch” was featured in an episode of ABC's hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Regardless of these successes it remained unclear what Payne’s future would hold. Without any interest from major record labels she wondered if she’d ever get the chance to make another album. However, with the encouragement of family and friends Payne began to embrace her identity as an independent artist and began to revel in its potential. She recounts, “I once had a great philosophy teacher who told me, ‘If an eagle only has one strong wing it won’t be able to fly very high. It will need to strengthen its weaker wing in order to reach new heights.’ Now I appreciate the uphill road I’ve had to climb because it’s made me develop the sides of my personality that weren’t so strong. I am a better person because of it; how could I be anything but grateful?”

After receiving a piano as a gift from her husband in early April of 2006, Payne decided to set aside her acoustic guitar and tickle the ivories for a season. “It’s kinda funny,” Payne recalls, “I decided to learn piano because I wanted to have a Christmas party. Sounds strange, but it’s true. I love singing carols and they sound much better on piano. So everyday from April to December I would practice ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Silent Night’, and a host of other classics. My neighbors weren’t too happy come mid-July, but my party guests were very impressed come December!”

Having played guitar all her life Payne began to feel that her songwriting had grown predictable. However, the novelty of a new instrument awoke her creativity. “I let my heart, not my head, find the melody.” Before too long the demos for “Paper Skin” were compiled and with a newly inspired confidence Payne headed into the studio with producer Tim Schoenhals.

The album took approximately three weeks to record, mix, and master, with most of the vocals and performances being recorded in just one take. “My last two albums took the better part of a year to make. I simply refused to do that this time,” states Payne.

The title of the album “Paper Skin” does not mislead, for it is by far her most honest work to date, replete with universal, life-inspired themes of love, loss, failure, spirituality, and the unrelenting hope of the human spirit. What makes Payne's music so special and so well-received and respected is her uncanny ability to weave life's most commonly shared experiences into some of the most brilliant lyrics and most moving melodies. Her music is nothing less than amazing and nothing but apropos, it is the soundtrack for life!

http://www.kendallpayne.com



Invisible Children
In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.

After returning to the States, they created the documentary "Invisible Children: Rough Cut," a film that exposes the tragic realities of northern Uganda.s night commuters and child soldiers.

The film was originally shown to friends and family, but has now been seen by millions of people. The overwhelming response has been, "How can I help?" To answer this question, the non-profit Invisible Children, Inc. was created, giving compassionate individuals an effective way to respond to the situation.

Who We Are
We are storytellers. We are visionaries, humanitarians, artists, and entrepreneurs. We are individuals part of a generation eager for change and willing to pursue it.

As a non-profit we work to transform apathy into activism. By documenting the lives of those living in regions of conflict and injustice, we hope to educate and inspire individuals in the Western world to use their unique voice for change. Our media creates an opportunity for people to become part of a grassroots movement that intelligently responds to what.s happening in the world.

But our work extends beyond our borders. In war-affected regions we focus on long-term development, working directly with individuals and institutions that are eager to realize their full potential. Through education and innovative economic opportunities, we partner with affected communities and strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living in conflict and post-conflict regions.

How We Make a Difference
Our approach to humanitarian work is founded in the strength and intelligence of the Ugandan community. We learned early on it was not only important but essential to heed the wisdom of people that had not only lived in the war, but were surviving it. People who would know better than anyone what the greatest needs were and the best ways to meet them. What we came to find is that while there have been many efforts to address the issues that stem from living and fighting in such a long-lasting war, the people of Uganda are asking for a future beyond the conflict.

Their pleas have become our development strategy.

All of our programming is a partnership between those of us at Invisible Children and those in the Ugandan community. We focus on long-term goals that enable children to take responsibility for their future and the future of their country. Our programs are carefully researched and developed initiatives that address the need for quality education, mentorships, the redevelopment of schools, resettlement from the camps, and financial stability.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php