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We would like to be a blessing and an extension of local and regional ministries by supporting the musicians, so they can serve full time within their own home church. Through Pure Sound Ministries churches are able to fund the creation of recording projects that ultimately serve as a means of financial support for the artist. With the modest monthly support that comes with the commitment of being a Pure Sound Ministries Partner, churches can support and connect with worship leaders who are looking to fulfill their call within a body of believers.
We see 24 hour worship rising all over America as well as all over the world. We believe God is restoring the house of David and this ministry is part of the support for these Godly musicians. This is our mission, to free up those who are called to be worshipers and to help them follow their call. When a young king David played for Saul, the evil spirit that tormented him left; and he immediately felt better. This is what worship does to us, it leads us into the presence of God and it cleanses and purifies us. God deserves all the praise and worship we have, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. These are the days when God is restoring the house of David and we believe supporting these musicians is a part of that restoration process (Amos 9:11, Acts 15:15-17). Please go to our most immediate needs page and let God show you how you can help support.
Dear Shannon and Anita,
I will try to recount what I felt the Lord was saying Friday night (2/27/04). As soon as you knelt down, I thought of a word I received several years ago, The Work of Two Generations in One (May 20, 1996). It is about accomplishing the work of David and Solomon in one generation. For some reason, I didn’t go ahead and say it. I think my mind was saying, give them a fresh word, not something you have had before. So I began to pray and listen to the others praying and I kept getting this sense of something very big, of plans having been given to you like David’s (I Chron 28:11, 19) and you acting upon them like Solomon in a very grand, large scale way (see first several chapters of II Chronicles). It didn’t occur to me until later that your last name is Davidson. I think when I remembered that, I knew I should speak this part forth. I kept seeing you with your legs spread very wide, straddling two continents and two types of work (secular and ministry). It was clear that you were being stretched very far. My distinct sense was that the devil was trying to tear you apart with anxiety and stress but the Lord was in the midst of it all actually stretching you, maturing you through what was happening for His purposes. The word, “bridges,” kept coming to me. Of course I had no idea that this word was significant to you. But I saw you being stretched as a bridge (almost like the Golden Gate Bridge, clearly something very long and also wide) so that many people could walk across your lives. I saw you linking cultures and ideas and the secular workplace and ministry. I saw you providing insight to many about how the world and all the parts of our lives are linked. I saw many people walking across your lives stretched out. I saw your children being added in and them becoming bridges too.
I was also very taken by your humility. I had a profound sense of God’s pleasure over your lives and how He truly sees you as ones, “without guile.” I believe He is calling you to pray and study the Word as never before in these days. There is something very profound and expansive He wants to do in and through your lives. Even your cross cultural marriage is a picture He wants to show off to many. He is vast. He encompasses many. He has many ways to do things. You are going to be used to take God out the box for many. You are Davidson. You will do the work of David and Solomon. You will worship and lead many into worship but you will also war and win many battles. You will plan and you will build. And you will make things very beautiful. It is a huge calling. Stay on your faces before Him. Call our for help. He will give it to you. He longs to prosper the things He has put in your hearts. This current “crisis” is but a bump in the road meant to deepen your relationship with God and perhaps redirect you a bit. Pray into that. What change, even small change or changes, is being prompted by this pressure against you? I have another word I will look for and send you which may be applicable. It is in regard to a “father,” being sent to Solomon to assist in building. I will send that and something which, interestingly, I have been working on the past few days. I have a printed book with the May 20, 1996 word in it which I can give you too. Many blessings and much love, Jane
November 17, 2007
RICK JOYNER with Andrei and Amanda Prychodko:
“The HOLY SPIRIT and the ARTS – Those Who Know the CREATOR will be the Most Creative People on the Planet”
“We will soon see artists create paintings that will come straight from the throne room of God. By looking at them, people will receive an impartation of deep prophetic vision and a Heavenly perspective.” However, art belongs to God, and He is going to take art back. Art is a basic form of prophecy, and there is a beauty and anointing about to come upon a host of holy artists whose prophetic art will burn away the fog that is now over it, just like the sun burns away the fog in the morning.
One of the most obvious characteristics of God that we can see through His creation is that He loves creativity and diversity. He loves them so much that He even made every snowflake unique. There are no two trees alike, no two leaves alike, and no two people alike. He made every one of us unique. His creation is art in its most profound form. We do not worship the creation, but the Creator. We must never worship art, but the One who gave it to us. He gave us art to lift our hearts and release thanksgiving, because we “enter His gates with thanksgiving” (see Psalm 100:4). All of the awe and wonder of His creation was intended to draw us closer to Him. Art was not intended to point to the creation, but to use the creation to point to Him.
The Power of Art
The music we listen to sows into our souls and can set the course of our lives for good or evil. Art has also been a basic form of worship. Art is a powerful media that can lead to the worship of something or someone. Art can have the power to capture the attention, imagination, and hearts of people. It has actually been more effective in directing the nations than armies or weapons.
One of the most obvious characteristics of God that we can see through His creation is that He loves creativity and diversity. He loves them so much that He even made every snowflake unique. There are no two trees alike, no two leaves alike, and no two people alike. He made every one of us unique. His creation is art in its most profound form. We do not worship the creation, but the Creator. We must never worship art, but the One who gave it to us. He gave us art to lift our hearts and release thanksgiving, because we “enter His gates with thanksgiving” (see Psalm 100:4). All of the awe and wonder of His creation was intended to draw us closer to Him. Art was not intended to point to the creation, but to use the creation to point to Him.
This is the time when everything that has been sown in man, the good and the evil, the light and the darkness, will come to full maturity. It is obvious that the darkness is coming to maturity in every art form, but soon we will see the light coming to maturity in every art form. Even so, light will be victorious and overshadow the darkness because light is more powerful. When we open our shades at night, darkness does not come into the room, but the light that is in the house shines out into the darkness. Light is stronger than darkness, and we are about to see light begin to overpower the darkness that is in art. Because we are approaching the end of the age, the time of full maturity, the light that is about to be released through the arts will be unprecedented.
ContinueThe Holy Spirit and Art
In the Bible, artists were the first people to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, we often find quotes saying that the Spirit of God came on someone, such as we see in II Chronicles 15:1, “Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded,” or in II Chronicles 24:20, “Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest....” However, it was Bezalel who was the first person in the Bible about whom it was said that he was “filled with the Spirit,” which we see in Exodus 31:1-5:
Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, “to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, “and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.”
Bezalel means “under the shadow, protection of God.” Isn’t it interesting that the first person in the Bible about whom it was said that they were “filled with the Spirit” was an artisan, and not a priest, a king, or a prophet? This should give us a definite sense of the importance that the Lord gave to art in His dwelling place, the tabernacle, which was the prophetic model for His Church, “the tabernacle not made with hands” (see Hebrews 9:11). If there was ever a building that exceeded this one for artistic excellence, it would have to be His other dwelling place in the Old Testament, the temple that Solomon built for Him. This should declare loudly the importance that He gives to art in His Church, His present dwelling place.
In Exodus 28:3, we see that the artists working with Bezalel were also filled with the Holy Spirit, “So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.” Here we also see that the Lord wanted an artist to make the priest’s garments. How would this apply to us? It seems that there is a special revelation of the Lord that can come through art which touches His basic nature as the Creator. This is why those who know Him and are changed into His image, by seeing Him, should also be creative. Creativity is His basic nature. Therefore, Christians should be the most creative people on the earth, and art that is inspired by the Holy Spirit should be worn by the priests of the Lord like a garment.
There is a movement in the Church today to recover art in worship, and it is not unexpected that it is taking place chiefly among those baptized in the Holy Spirit, or who claim to be and at least seek to be “Spirit-filled.” Those who are truly filled with His Spirit will not be able to contain the creativity that is a basic nature of the Spirit for very long. It will pour out of them. Again, those who truly know the Creator will be the most creative people on the planet.
However, it is crucial that artists are deeply committed to worshiping the Lord with their art rather than worshiping art itself.
The Spirit Prophesies
We see in both Joel 2 and Acts 2 that when the Spirit is poured out, there will be prophecy. As stated, art has been a primary media for prophecy, both for good and evil. By its very nature, art usually predicts and points ahead to trends that cultures take, and then art also becomes a primary media for interpreting the trends. It is for this reason that the Church should especially be devoted to the arts, as it is called to be the light of the world, pointing to the way and illuminating it. When the Church follows the Spirit and becomes what she is called to be, we can expect prophetic Christians to begin to lead in every field of art.
One of the calls some artists will have will be to bring the Church to a higher level of the prophetic. Since the time that God gave the Holy Spirit to Bezalel to fill him with special ability, wisdom, and craftsmanship, we do not see the Lord doing this again to that extent. The highest art was for the highest purpose, building God’s dwelling place. The greatest and highest art will always be that which is done for God, not men. Men may enjoy it and be lifted by it – this is also pleasing to the Lord, who wants to draw and reconcile all men to Himself. Even so, when we produce art for men, it will never be as high as the art that is done as worship for God.
Understanding the Power
A movie can be “G” rated but have a power to seduce and release a spirit of lust even more than an “R” rated movie. It is not so much what is shown as the power behind it. We must have a discernment that goes beyond human ratings. However, just as dark art has the power to impart darkness and oppression, Holy Spirit-anointed art is going to have the power to set people free. There are artists being raised up whose gifts of healing and deliverance will be projected through their art. People will just look at it, or hear the song, and get healed or set free.
There is likewise art that will soon be released that will powerfully impart vision and purpose to people, even calling some to their ministry and releasing spiritual gifts. One of the famous cases of this in history is how the young Count Zinzendorf beheld a classic painting of the Savior, and it stirred in him a devotion to the Lord that ultimately led to the birth of modern missions.
We will soon see artists create paintings that will come straight from the throne room of God. By looking at them, people will receive an impartation of deep prophetic vision and a Heavenly perspective. In the same way, people with other creative gifts, such as music or writing, will receive this greater anointing, and through their creative gifts, the whole Church will be drawn to the throne room of God from which it came. There will be songs that call the righteous to the righteous cause, and help set their lives on fire for God. There will be paintings that simply grip the souls of those who see them so that they give their lives to the service of our King.
God, through Moses, gave Bezalel instructions on how to build His dwelling place. Bezalel knew clearly what colors to use and where to use them. He received architectural plans and was instructed on how to create the lamp stand, the altar, the laver, and all of the other furniture and coverings to be placed there. He was instructed on how to weave colors and images into the tent walls and curtains, and how to create holy garments for the priests. Until the tent was built, only Moses, Bezalel, and the artists working with Bezalel could see it in their spirits, but once the tent was built, everybody could see it. However, not everybody could see it to the same extent. The deeper they were allowed to enter the temple, the more they could see.
Today, we all have access to the deepest part of the temple. There will be divinely anointed artisans who will see the deep things of the Spirit and be able to convey them in a form that compels many others to seek the deep things of God. The art will not be the deep things of God, but it will help lead to them.
As we are told in I Corinthians 2:10, “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” Those who truly follow the Spirit will not be shallow. If we truly are “Spirit-filled,” we will always be seeking to know God deeper. We will not be content to just see His acts, but we will want to know His ways. We can likewise expect art to go deeper as the artist goes deeper. They will penetrate the depths of God and men, releasing the living waters that come from “the innermost being.” Art is always a means and never an end in itself. We know we are on the path of life when life is flowing from us. All true life is to know God and His Son. Is that where our art is leading?
The Lord obviously wants to share His creativity with His people. It is the basic nature of the New Covenant that we do not have to be perfect to come into the Lord's presence, but that we get perfected by coming into His presence. The closer we are to Him, the more clean and pure we shall be, and so will our art.
Those who have seen His glory will not be impressed by the greatest human glory. Those who have seen His creativity will not be impressed by the greatest human creativity. For this reason, the closer we get to Him, the less our art should be influenced by human art or human trends, but will reflect Heavenly trends that will often be in direct contrast to the nature of fallen human creativity. For this reason, one of the saddest statements of the present condition of the Church is when she follows the world's trends in such things as art and music. The world should be following the Church, and the closer we get to God, the more we can be sure that the art and the music will be clean and pure.
The Lord is seeking clean vessels to release His creativity. Many artists in the Church are in bondage because they have very worldly ideas and desires, similar to artists in the world--namely, wrong ideas of success, selfish ambitions, jealousy, and pride. Art and artists have always been under attack by the enemy because the enemy knows what a powerful vessel they can be for good or evil. Many artists are outcasts, discriminated against, and have a hard time making a living, while others are exalted like gods. However, the Lord promises that He will bring low those who exalt themselves, and exalt those who humble themselves. All exaltation by men is brief, shallow, and leads ultimately to a terrible emptiness. This is why almost everyone who reaches a pinnacle in a field of art, or almost anything else, falls to a deep depression.
When we attain a pinnacle by our own selfish ambition, it is never what we expect. When the Lord takes us to the heights, it is different. We begin to breathe the atmosphere of Heaven, and glories beyond human imagination begin to be discerned in their nature of being ever-expanding and ever-increasing, just like the universe He created. One aspect of Heaven is a continual marvel and wonder at what God has done, and the unfathomable privilege of being able to participate with Him in it. Compared to God, even the greatest human genius or art will be like a molecule standing before the sun. The fact that the sun cares about and loves the little molecule, even treating it as a partner, causes an ever-increasing love of the little molecule for the sun.
Artistic expression is an expression of creativity. Creativity is spiritual and has a power and influence that can be greater than is apparent. Therefore, the enemy tries to influence artists and use them for his purpose. Art has been used for a lot of evil, but it will be redeemed and fully restored, like all of the gifts that the Lord gave to man so that man could better relate to Him. As the Lord Jesus states in Luke 3:4-5, which He quoted from the Prophet Isaiah: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. ‘Every ravine will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low; the crooked will become straight, and the rough roads smooth....’”
We are again in the times of Elijah, preparing the way for the coming of the Lord. This is how we are building the highway that He will come on – we THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE ARTS level the mountains, bring up the low places, and make the crooked straight. The mountains here are strongholds and the low places are the oppressed. In relation to the arts, the crooked is the self-worship, humanism, and perversions that have taken over the arts. Some are now arising with divinely powerful weapons to bring down the strongholds and tools for building the highway. These will see the glory of the Lord come down on what they have been used to build. It will be worth the struggle. It is a noble cause – the “good fight” of faith that will take much faith, but the victory is sure for those who remain faithful. The arts belong to the Lord, and He is raising His army now to retake them.
Rick Joyner with Andrei and Amanda Prychodko, MorningStar Ministries. Email: info@morningstarministries.org
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Statement of Faith
We believe that there is only one true God. He always was, and always will be. He exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is sovereign, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. [Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:24-28]
We believe only sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God. The Word of God is the absolute authority. It teaches us the truth, and the way God directs us to live. [Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16]
We believe that the enemy of God, known as Lucifer, one of the three archangels, rebelled, and convinced a multitude of angels to follow him. This resulted in him being cast out of heaven. He became the father of this world, and is at work with a demonic force to steal, to kill, and to destroy. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross, and he will receive his eternal judgment at the end of the age when he and his angels will be cast into the lake of fire, which God has prepared for him. [Isaiah 14:10-17; John 12:31; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:7-17; Revelation 20:10]
We believe Adam was the first man created by God, and was made after God’s own image. Adam’s downfall through his disobedience had an impact on all mankind. The fruit of his body was born out of sin, and therefore was separated from God, unable to reconcile themselves with God through their own effort. [Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-18; Romans 5:12-18]
We believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God, God himself incarnate. He is fully man, and fully God; conceived of the Holy Spirit; born of the Virgin Mary. In Him there was no sin. He gave His life to pay the price as a sacrifice for sinners. Through His sacrifice, He gave those who believe in Him eternal redemption, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. He was raised from the dead on the third day, and He was seen by his disciples. Then He ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father where he intercedes for us forever. [John 1:1-18; Isaiah 7:14; Romans 5:1-4; Mark 16:9; 1 John 2:1-2]
We believe salvation is received through faith by grace alone. We cannot earn salvation through works, or any rituals. It is only by believing in Jesus Christ, the son of God, the living Word revealed to us in scripture, that we can obtain salvation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are sanctified, enabled to do good works that are pleasing to God, and we are changed into the image of Jesus Christ. [John1:12-13; John 6:37-44; John 10:25-30; Eph. 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12-15; Hebrews 9:22; Romans 5:21; 1 John 1:7-9]
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells, equips, and regenerates Christian, so they may live a holy and set apart life. The Holy Spirit desires to fill, anoint, and empower believers so that they are able to fulfill the call God has on their life. We believe that all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament are still operative today, including signs and wonders, and are meant to edify and empower believers, and to testify to the presence of God’s Kingdom on earth. [Matthew 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:2-5; Ephesians 1:13-14]
We believe that the Lord’s Supper and water baptism are two ordinances that we, as Christians, should observe until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Neither of these ordinances are a way of salvation, but rather they are conduits of God’s grace and blessings to believers. [Matthew 26:26-29; Romans 6:3-10; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew 28:19]
We believe in the physical Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ at the end of the ages. We believe in an end-time, great and victorious, Body of Believers who will experience an unprecedented unity, holiness, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 15:20-28; John 17:20-26; Psalms 2:7-9; Psalms 22:27-28; John 14:12; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; Revelation 7:9-14]
We believe in two final destinations for mankind. When a Christian dies, they are immediately in the glorious presence of Christ, where they will be blessed with the fellowship of the Savior until the resurrection of the body. When an unbeliever dies, they are sent to Hell, where they will await the Day of Judgment. Then, they will be punished with tormented and eternal separation from God’s presence in the lake of fire. [2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Matthew 25:46; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:1-22:15]
How did the name Pure sound Ministries come in place
As I heard God speak to me about the recording of Christian artists at no cost to them, I asked Him to show me the name for this Ministry. The thought of David playing for Saul came to my mind. In 1 Samuel 16:16 David played skillfully and an evil spirit left Saul. Then God spoke to me that He dwells in the worship of his people. (Psalm 22:3) If God dwells in something it is pure. Pure Sound – I knew right away was the name God chose for this ministry. God showed me how pure sound is going to pierce the darkness and touch and transform those who hear it. We all know that the airways are currently filled with junk. We believe that God is going to raise up pure music, pure worship, to clean us, deliver us and shape us to prepare us for His coming.
Pure music will minister to the body of Christ, but it will also set the captives free, and call those Levites who are serving the wrong kingdom to God, to serve Him, with the gift He has given them.
These are the last days. God is on the move. We believe He would have us take back the airways for Himself. The epic battle started with Satan, heaven's worship leader, stealing a multitude of the angels away from God. He could not stand to see God get all the glory and has ever since used his power to pervert music to his own advantage. We only have to turn on the radio or TV to hear and see what it has become.
What was created to glorify God is now all about idols, money and sex. This is what the devil made out of the gift God has given him. Now it is time to take it back, Pure Sound Ministries will help to raise pure worship to clean up the airways. It will be like David’s times, people will hear anointed music, be set free, and drawn to God.
True Worshippers
John 4:23-24 says God is looking for true worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth. We have to be born again first of all and in the truth of God’s Son Jesus. But we also have to go back and look at where the Spirit of God has inspired true worship and see how it all began. In the Old Testament the ark of the covenant represented the presence of God. As David prepared to move the ark back to its proper place in Jerusalem, he stated that the Levites were chosen to carry the ark of God and minister before Him forever." (I Chroncles 15:2)
In I Chronicles 15:14-24, we read that the Levites sanctified themselves so that they could carry the ark and appointed a company of singers and musicians in various ranks to go before the ark as they brought it back to Jerusalem (I Chronicles15:16–24). David himself wrote a psalm and delivered it to Asaph, one of the Levites, to perform on that day. Later, when the Spirit of God showed David the plans for the temple – a permanent resting place for the ark – we see that David chose musicians with different abilities to serve there. (I Chronicles 28:12-13)
The Ministry of the Levites
To Provide A Hiding Place
Numbers1:53. 35:2-7
God spoke to Moses that “the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel.” All the other tribes camped around their own standard, according to their own armies but the Levites had a different calling – to protect the congregation of the Israelites from God’s wrath.
Later, when 48 cities were given to the Levites, six of these were designated to be a hiding place or refuge for people who have killed someone by accident. God chose six cities as a protected area. It shows us to be surrounded by the Levites, there is a hiding and a protected place for us. They also were the gatekeepers – they paid attention who came in those gates. If they were at the gate the enemy could not enter. When we are surrounded by anointed worship we are in a protected hiding place where the enemy can’t come in. It is a place where God dwells (Psalm 22:3). It is fertile ground for the Spirit. It is a good place to be. It ministers to our soul and it helps us to change and become more like Christ.
To Prepare the Vessels and Keep the Tools Sharp
Numbers 1:47, Numbers 8:5,8,18 Deuteronomy 10: 8
In the beginning, the Levites were sanctified and set aside by God for a special task at the Temple. They ministered to the people and helped the Priest by keeping the vessels in order and taking care of tools. Imagine keeping them clean, sharp and in order. This ministered directly to the people, to lead them to the priest, so they could bring their sacrifice and be forgiven.
The Levites were called to bless the people and to sanctify the people. If we look at the fruit of anointed worship, it does is exactly this. The musicians, through worship, help us to keep clean, pure and in shape. Their efforts help us to bring our worship sacrifice and as we confess sin and receive forgiveness, we are blessed.
To war
2 Chronicles 8:14,15, Nehemiah 7:1,12:27-43
David ordered the Levites to sing and play while the priests did their work and to serve as gatekeepers. They provided an atmosphere of encouragement and safety. David together with the commander of the army, set some of the sons of Asaph, Herman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals. 1 Chronicles. 25:1. In Nehemiah, the Levites were very important in the rebuilding of the wall that secured Jerusalem. The Levites purified not only the people but also the gates and the wall. They took part in choirs that were appointed to stand on the wall and sing. 2 Chronicles 20:21-24.
We see in 2 Chronicles when God shows Jehoshaphat to put the Levites first in the battle. When this was done, the enemy destroyed themselves. Have we not all seen in our own lives that worship helps us win the battle that often rages in our minds? And have we not found that God-inspired music is powerful to chase away temptation in our lives? The enemy can not stand the praise of God’s people, because God dwells in it (Psalm 22:3). It is a good place for us to be.
Did God order the support of musicians?
Yes! Actually there is a lot of scripture speaking about the support of the musicians, and gatekeepers, which were all Levites. It began when God called out of the tribe of Levi. God chose the tribe of Levi to be separate from the other tribes “to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day.” (Deut 10:8). They were given no specific portion when the promised land was divided but were to eat from the first fruits all the other tribes would bring. Both the priests and the Levites were to live directly from what people gave to God, He himself said that they will have their share from Him. (Numbers 18:20-32)
We see when David calls musicians out to minister that the pattern given by the Holy Spirit, was the same as in Moses' time. (1 Chronicles 28:12-13) The ministers in the Tabernacle and then later on the temple lived of the first fruits. The Bible even speaks about those Levites that did not live and serve directly by the temple, that they should as well be provided for as well. (Nehemiah 10:36- 40).
Nehemiah builds the wall and after the celebration he restores the regulation of the temple, given by David, a man of God. He says very clearly that all priests and Levites are to live off the tithing, the first fruits of all the tribes. The people were to bring the fruits in the Temple where the Levites shared with the priests. The Levites that did not work directly on the temple went back to the villages but still everybody was ordered to bring the fruits to them. The Levites themselves had to bring a tenth from the offering to the to the Temple. After a while (this is the point!!), the care for the Levites began to be neglected such that they were forced to go to their fields to work and to provide for themselves. When Nehemiah heard about this he got very upset, “contended with the rulers” and rectified the situation. (Nehemiah 13 10-12). We do not read about others being neglected but only the Levites.
Isn’t this the same picture today? We see different kinds of ministers being supported through the body of Christ, but, if we look at the whole body, we see very little support going to the musicians and the singers! We know that we need them, but perhaps we don't fully understand how much we need them, and how crucial their ministry is to us. We ask a lot of volunteer time from them.
Many of our unsupported musicians struggle to make a living, because they are more oriented toward creativity than business. Often in order to find an outlet for their God-given creativity and passion, they end up playing in secular settings where God is far from glorified. For many, who have gone this route in order to make a living, it can seem that the enemy provides better for them through jobs in bars and clubs than their own brothers and sisters in Christ do in the church. We do support many ministers like, preachers, teachers, evangelists, prophets, but seldom do we see musicians supported. Larger churches may support a worship leader but it is rare that more than one or two gifted musicians in a setting would receive any monetary remuneration.
We believe that a vital part of the body of Christ is suffering through lack of support for what they are called to do and that when one part suffers, we all suffer (1 Corinthians 12: 25,26).
In the Old Testament God set a priority on the temple – first its initial building (through David and Solomon) and then, after times of decline and exile its restoration (through Hezekiah, Josiah, Ezra). When it was functioning at its best, there was 24-hour worship every day of the year.
We (individually and the corporate body of Christ) are now the temple. Thanks to Jesus, the role of the High Priest and animal sacrifices are no longer necessary (Hebrew 7:18). Through His death, He became the final sacifice and forever tore open the curtain of separation between God and us.
This, however, did not erase the worship work of the temple. We now have more reason to worship than ever! We also need worship for exactly the same reasons the saints in the Old Testament did. We, as they, need to be led into the presence of the Almighty God. As Woodrow Crowl said, “Wherever God is there is heaven!” There is a heavenly splendor that we need, that sets our thinking straight and our souls aflame. There is also holiness. We can not stand in worship and the presence of God for very long, without conviction of sin or without confession. We are brought to our knees in God’s presence. We are purified, sanctified, transformed. We are blessed!
We hear certain passages of the Old Testament referred to frequently such as Malachi 3:10-11 – bringing the tithes into the storehouse and seeing the windows of heaven open and I Chron 4:10 – the prayer of Jabez. Pure Sound Ministries seeks to bring to the forefront the passages and emphasis we see throughout the Old Testament on the work of and provision for the Levites. And clearly two very important roles of the Levites were to lead in music and song. (I Chron 6:31-38, I Chron 25:1-7). When David set it all in motion, he referred that God’s Spirit gave all the instructions. The ministry of the Levites shall be done forever! (1 Chron 28:12-13, 28:19, and 15:12).
God is arising on the horizon and has already begun to restore "temple regulations" with the ministry of the musicians. 24 hour worship 365 days is occurring all around the world and will surely only continue to increase to prepare us for the return of our Lord and Savior. This worship will purify us His saints and will also call forth many who are sitting in bondage in dark places. Many will be set free through pure music, and through it will hear the good news and will see the Son of God.
We believe that a vital part of the body of Christ is suffering through lack of support for what they are called to do and that when one part suffers, we all suffer (1 Corinthians 12: 25,26).
Let’s get our hands to the plough and labor together into the coming of our Lord and Savior. Let’s listen to His voice, and set the ministers of music and song free to usher in these events, that are beginning even now.
Pure Sound Ministries will be a direct support to those ministers and, as a result of the support, they will bless us all with their gift of music. As the body of Christ partners with us, we will be able to record them at no personal cost to them and carry the load of the cost of a recording project (see budget needs).
Those who join with us will receive the blessing of getting to be a part of the recording done in the studio (via web-cam) and getting to know the musicians and their visions. You can also be part of the support by praying for them as they are in the studio.
Through the Web site, the artists will bless us with the new recorded songs which we can download for a small fee – 80% will go to the musicians, 20%, will stay in the ministry fund to help pay for the next artist. Through doing this, the musicians will eventually be supported in their gifting and ministry. It is like in the old days. They minister to the people, the people give back so they could do the ministry on the temple (which is now us!).
At Pure Sound, our goal and vision is not to produce stars but to see musicians set free in their gifting such that they lead many into the presence of the Lord and increase His praise throughout all the earth. We hope to offer teaching seminars see many return to their home churches refreshed and encouraged to expand the ministry of music in their own settings and beyond. We hope to link singers and musicians from local church settings and 24/7 prayer rooms together through Pure Sound and to, through our combined efforts and connections, enhance the worship in America and throughout the world. It is a big vision but we have a big God and we believe He has set this in motion. (Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:15-17)
We believe with all of our hearts, that Pure Sound Ministries is a part of the restoration of David's house of worship. God has spoken clearly to us through prophetic words and scripture that He has called us, the Davidsons, to do the work of David and Solomon in one generation – to be worshippers and lead many into worship.
Search your heart and ask God what part you will have in this ministry. We know it will be an effort of many. We are only one part of the body and we need other the parts to make it move.
Nehemiah building the wall
Nehemiah and his passion to restore the integrity of the wall of Jerusalem and the Levites to their service is our model for Pure Sound ministries. Throughout the Bible we see God delivering His children after they have fallen away and restoring them back to their original call of worship.
Nehemiah’s vision for the restoration of the wall Jerusalem included assembling the Levites together to lead the people of God in worship. [Neh 7:1, 9:4-38]. Upon completion of the wall, a contract was formed with the Levites and the rest of the children of Israel. The “first fruits” of all the produce of God’s people were to be given to the Levites in order for them to continue their service within the temple. [Neh 10:35, 11:23] The Levites fulfilled their call and cared for the temple as well as offered praise and worship continually according to the command of David. [Neh 12:24, 12:45-47] After Nehemiah’s departure, the high priest Eliashib denied the Levites their portions and instead used those store rooms for Tobiah, an outspoken opponent of the effort to rebuild the wall. Upon Nehemiah’s return from Babylon to Jerusalem he uncovered the alliance of Eliashib and Tobiah along with the lack of support of the Levites. Having no portion provided for them, the Levites returned to their fields to work. [Neh 13:4-10] Nehemiah immediately removes Tobiah from the storehouses and restores the original covenant with the Levites. “Remember them, O my god, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service…” [Neh 13:29-30]
When Nehemiah first received the vision to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, the people of God were in “great distress and reproach”. [Neh 1:3] Nehemiah mourned, prayed, and fasted for them because of their sin and the broken relationship with God. The wall around Jerusalem was in absolute shambles and so was the culture of the people. The people strayed from God and acted corruptly against Him. Nehemiah prayed for favor with his employer, King Artaxerxes, and was later granted permission and funding to begin the reconstruction process. The enemies of God’s people must have known the relationship the wall around Jerusalem had to the spiritual integrity of the people inside. When the wall stood strong, the world was kept outside; but with the wall broken down the world infiltrated and became an influence upon the people. The cultural of Godliness is meant to influence the world, not the other way around. From the first days of construction, Sanballat and Tobiah were “deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well being of the children of Israel.” [Neh 2:10] These two men even laughed at Nehemiah and “despised him” [Neh 2:19]. They formed a politically based argument concluding that the construction of the wall was a threat to the king. Nehemiah’s answer is one that is applicable for any believer facing opposition from cultural ridicule: “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” The secular worldly influence did not belong with the children of God.
Despite all of this blatant opposition from Tobiah and the other outside influences, the wall was eventually completed. After the completion of the wall, “all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.” [Neh 6:16] Tobiah would still not let his influence be thwarted even after the construction of the wall was complete. Tobiah was the son in law of Shechaniah, a prominent Israelite and keeper of the East Gate [Neh 3:29] Because of this many of the nobles of Judah were pledged to Tobiah and kept in communication with him. [Neh 6:17-18] This fact was well known and there were even efforts to try to convince Nehemiah that Tobiah was good for Jerusalem. [Neh 6:19] Upon Nehemiah’s return to King Artaxerxes, Eliashib the high priest prepared a place for Tobiah inside God’s holy city. The place he offered for him was the storehouse that held all the portions and provisions of the Levites. Having nothing to eat and nothing to live on, the Levites went back to the fields to earn a living. With the Levites gone and the worldly culture inside, the people began to return to their destructive behavior and ceased worshipping. Upon Nehemiah’s return he immediately began to undo the damage done:
“Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath of Israel by profaning the Sabbath?” [Neh 13:18]
Nehemiah called in the worship leaders, shut the gates, and threw out anyone not there to worship. Nehemiah realized that the people would culturally erode without a continual atmosphere of praise and worship to God. The impact of the Levites and their service was of such great importance that God allowed for their livelihood and day to day provision to be supplied by those who benefited from that service. A culture of praise and worship is a culture of integrity. There is something within a person that will not allow that void of cultural identity within them to remain empty. Either the Culture of Godliness or the culture of the world will be allowed to influence a person. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we all are granted access into the presence of God. But not all of us are called to teach, preach, and help others reach deeper levels of intimacy with God. [1 Cor 12:28] In Nehemiah’s time these neglected ministries were reflected in a broken down and neglected wall of protection around the people of God. In our time, many of these same ministries remain overlooked as evident by our modern cultural of materialism and pleasure. The charge of Pure Sound ministries is to call the Levites in from the field and declare a return to the Culture of Godliness (2 Chronic 31:4). We are called to provide and support , so they can do so. The worship leaders, singers, and musicians do not belong out in the world playing for tips. They belong on the wall between cultures, helping to stand guard against the influence of the world by praising and worshiping Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.
Recording Process
Step 1: Complete Application
Once you complete a Pure Sound Project Application it is reviewed by a panel of ministers, music professionals, and business people who also serve as partners of Pure Sound Ministries. Every application is filtered through a very astringent process of review and consideration before it is passed through to the next stages.
Step 2: Project Coordination
Upon the approval of your application, you will be contacted by a representative of Pure Sound Ministries. A project coordinator will then schedule a meeting where the initial preproduction goals for your project can be set in order to ensure the highest level or quality for your tracking sessions. Whether you are recording a few songs or an extended length album, setting goals for the beginning and the end are necessary.
Step 3: Tracking
After your preproduction goals are achieved you will then begin recording your music. Depending upon the scope of your production, tracking may be a matter days or weeks. Once the initial tracking phase is complete, you will be given a “daily” mix to listen to in order to review your progress.
Step 4: Mixing
During the mixing stage of your project the overall sound and direction of your tracking sessions will be refined and translated into a more professional presentation. The difference between an unmixed project and a “first round” mix is extreme. You will be given the first round mix to evaluate and make notes for any and all changes to that mix. Those changes will be reflected in the final mix before they are sent to the Mastering Engineer.
Step 5: Mastering
The Mastering Engineer’s job is to apply a “global mix” to your entire project so that there is a consistent and standardize measure of volume and tone from song to song. A project that has been mastered is in a universally standardized audio format that can play on any CD or DVD playing device.
Step 6: Duplication and artwork
After a master is created, that master is sent to a Pure Sound Ministries approved duplication firm. Artwork is submitted to the artist for approval and then once approved, sent along with the master to be duplicated.
Step 7: Music Upload
Your music will be available for download on the Pure Sound Ministries website. A small portion of the proceeds from the sale of your music will help sustain future projects. The rest will go to further the call God has put on your life.