The Awesome Journey

As followers of Jesus, we are privileged to be members of one body and each one is a vital part of all that God has planned. We recently returned from Vietnam and saw how intricately the body is and how when it works together it causes a much greater outcome than if only one part of the body were trying to accomplish God's work alone. We've been raising support and awareness for building churches in Vietnam, now that the government has legally recognized Christian churches. We want to share one specific story that is dear to our hearts:

Dr. Ahn and Dr. Ngoc are our Mission Vietnam directors and interpreters in Vietnam and are very dear to us. Dr. Anh shared a story about a man who had no physical impairments, but one day he discovered he could no longer speak and became mute overnight. His wife heard about a pastor in the village and was willing to try anything to help her husband. The pastor came and explained that he could not heal him, but Jesus could. He shared for two hours and prayed with the man explaining who Jesus is and what He has done on the cross. He told him that there was no guarantee of healing, but that the man needed to have faith that Jesus could do it. At the end of two hours, the pastor ended his prayer and asked the man to say, "Amen." The man not only said amen, he spoke out loud, "In Jesus name, Amen!" But then he was mute again. The pastor prayed again and this time his voice was completely restored! The village people knew this family and knew this was a miracle. As the man shared his story week after week, he was able to bring dozens of people to Jesus every week. The problem was, that the closest church was a 15 mile bicycle ride to the ferry that cost $3. Then another bicycle ride from there to the church. The man and his wife had so little money that they couldn't afford the ferry for both, so they alternated Sundays so at least they could separately go to church. The man's cry to God was for a church to come to his village so together they could go to church. God was beginning to answer that prayer from another part of Vietnam where Dr. Anh's brother lay dying from cancer. Not long ago this brother had given his life to Jesus and his last wish was to use the funds that would come from his funeral to buy land in this village so that one day a church could be built there. The money came in and the land was purchased. In another part of the world, here in America we were able to share the need of churches to be built in Vietnam. At Gateway Church in Shreveport, LA., a family in the church was moved to help build a church in Vietnam and we were given the funds just prior to this past trip. Mission Vietnam is just one step away from finalizing the process to fund a church in this village! Other churches here in America have given funds as well and souls are being reached for Jesus Christ through the building of churches! We are all members of one body in Christ Jesus! Greg, Anna and I head to Gateway church in Shreveport in the middle of August to begin a new chapter in ministry. What an honor to be a part of this body at Gateway church.

Because of your support, Anna, Greg and I have been able to make at least one trip a year to Vietnam! This past trip was a historical youth trip, called Journey of Champions! Anna's heart was to be able to take youth back with her to experience what God is doing in this precious country. We were able to take 10 youth and some adult first timers. We are excited to continue the ministry in Vietnam and as Worship Pastors here in America. Thank you for being a part of this beautiful body and being Jesus with skin on through our ministry. We love you and want you to never forget, you are making a difference!

Shreveport, LA here we come

First of all, thank you so very much for you faithful support through the giving of your time, talent, finances and for all your prayers! We love you and thank God for connecting our lives to work together in the fields ready for harvest. We have seen incredible moves of the Holy Spirit this past year and are excited about all He has in store for the future.

You have been along side us as we began this journey in 2003. The ministry opportunities have been too numerous to recount them all, but some of the personal victories have been that we found our sons-in-law after moving to Utah, gained two beautiful grandchildren from Michelle and Richie. Our kids have multiplied us by being in their own music ministries and furthering the impact for God's kingdom. Blastoff Music Ministries continued on after joining the staff at Christian Life Center here in Layton. We met new lifelong friends and God added to our support team. BMM also partnered with Mission Vietnam and have been able to help raise funds to legally build churches in Vietnam for the first time since 1975. We've met amazing people since traveling fulltime and thank God for giving us the privilege to join hand in hand with His family all over this county and in Vietnam!

We ended our last tour on Mother's Day in Shreveport, LA at Gateway Church. Pastor Dr. Richard and Brenda Exley, who are the Senior Pastors there, just took the position a year ago on Mother's Day. Dr. Richard Exley has authored 36 books and he and Brenda had been full time evangelists and conference speakers for the past 18 years when God called them to come pastor this precious church. They were actively seeking a Worship Pastor and had been fasting and praying for God's direction. They asked us to consider and pray about taking the position. We weren't expecting or looking for taking a Worship Pastorate, but said we would pray about it. We flew back to lead worship for the church on Father's Day and had an amazing time with all the people we spent time with. We watched God move throughout the services from the praise and worship times, to the messages, to the altar calls. What a heavenly experience and divine appointment. We waited until we had been home for a few days and continued to seek God. We have felt confirmation and peace from the Holy Spirit and have accepted the position at Gateway Church in Shreveport, LA.

We will continue the ministry of Blastoff Music Ministries and our work with Mission Vietnam. Our goal has always been to impact the impactors, to spread the gospel through the songs and music God has given to us, to encourage the believer and to compel the lost to give their lives to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We love you and want you to prayerfully consider what God would have you do concerning your support of Blastoff Music Ministries through prayer and financial giving. Please know that your support will continue to be used to accomplish all that God has called us to do in these last days making the most of every opportunity. Words can't express our gratitude for coming alongside us! You are making a difference!

God's Abundant Favor,

Greg, Glenda, Anna and BMM Board and Staff

Amazed by Jarred Huesby.mov

We would like to give you all a taste of Jarred and Rachael's brand new CD coming out this summer, This is a one of the songs from the album called "Amazed" Kick back and be blessed as you worship to this awesome song. If you like the videos , you can order the Intimate Worship DVD on this website a be greatly blessed.

Lord bless you all dear friends

Greg

Lakeside Community church

World Vision Assembly of God Vernal, Utah

What an amazing weekend we had with the people in the community of Vernal, Utah. We started with a praise and worship workshop on Saturday morning with 38 in attendance. There were 5 churches from around the area that brought their worship teams. Glenda and I shared with them many things we have learned throughout the past 29 years of leading worship. We had a great time teaching and pouring into the hungry worship leaders and praise team members. We were hosted by Jamie and Lee Ann Sparger and they did an amazing job organizing the worship workshop! Sunday morning and Sunday night we ministered in service and the Spirit of the Lord was so powerful and so beautiful. We invited Kathryn Connelly along with her daughter Erin to travel with us for the weekend to learn more about what we do in our worship workshops and Sunday services. Kathryn is going to be helping us schedule services throughout America as we continue to share about the need in Vietnam and continue to minister to people right here in the land of the free. Pastor Stan and Karen Arias have been pastoring World Vision Church for nearly 32 years and have such a huge heart and love for people. In spite of battling major physical struggles, Pastor Stan had an amazing attitude as he and Karen both modeled praise to God in the midst of their storm! They invited us to come and sing at Pastor Stan's dialysis session and minister to the medical team and other patients as he underwent his 4 hour process. He has done this 3 times a week for nearly 2 years now. It was a special honor to sing at the clinic. We love Pastor Stan and Karen dearly and ask that you would keep them in your prayers. We love the opportunities to meet so many wonderful people and thank God for giving us this ministry and incredible people like you that are making an impact in God's Kingdom.

An Inside Look of the Tour

Sometimes you have to apologize. And when you walk in on a 6'4" man wrestling a 5'3" woman to the ground, that's definitely one of those times. Greg was showing Glenda who really drove the bus. I made my excuses and left..

But I digress (already). This is a story about work. Hard work. God's work.

It's Monday and I'm on my way home from Vernal, Utah. The Bostocks graciously invited me and my daughter Erin to join them on tour for the weekend. This would give me a good first hand view of what it's like to lead a Worship Workshop and two Sunday Services at World Vision Church. Let me tell you, it was an eye opener!

I never saw the Bostocks stop to relax once except for the first night when we enjoyed half a movie. Oh yeah, they did manage to grab a little nap between services on Sunday. Let me draw it out for you so you can experience it, too.

Erin and I joined Greg, Glenda and Anna on Friday afternoon. Several hours of preparing, packing and loading the RV with the equipment necessary for the weekend had already been spent. We drove four hours from Layton to Vernal, and parked at the back of World Vision Church, where Pastor Stan had arranged a nice clear spot. The first thing to do in every new location is to get the RV live-in ready.

Usually it's just Greg, Glenda and Anna traveling, but this weekend they had to work out how to plan sleeping arrangements for two more people; there are only two beds in the bus. It also meant a little more creativity in the mornings when five people have to use a small shower stall in the one 4x4 foot bathroom to get ready. Luckily, Greg is the up-early-in-the-morning kind of guy and gets it done before our little peepers open up. I personally think it's unhealthy, but there's no convincing that guy.

Next comes setting up for the weekend. The equipment is unpacked. That takes a couple of hours depending on who is helping Greg. Kyle of World Vision has the privilege this time. In the meantime Glenda, Anna, Erin, and I join the ladies in church for a Zumba class. Amidst the groans emitting from our mouths and the laughing glances from our girls, Glenda and I made it through the whole half hour!

After that was done, Glenda and I ran to KFC/A&W for vittles. We were hungry, and defrosting chicken and cooking this late at night was not something we wanted to tackle. After dinner we sat down and watched Blindside until Pastor Stan came by and offered the air mattress for the author. A queen size air mattress.

We now meet the first challenge of the trip. No pump to blow up the mattress. Glenda and I went hunting for one in the dark church without a flashlight. We stumbled through the dark corridors guided by the dim light of the cell phone, but we didn't have any luck. We got back to the RV and found Greg with a burnt out hair dryer in his hand. He had tried to blow up the mattress with a severed water bottle and the (now defunct) dryer. He resorted to blowing it up with his own hot air. A dizzy Greg went to bed right afterward, with Glenda following behind.

Very early Saturday morning (too early!), Greg tries to get to the coffee machine without waking the poor sleeper on the queen size air mattress that has eaten up every remaining space left in the small living area. He moderately succeeds and goes out for his morning devotion and Bible reading. Most likely he's anxious to escape the four female presences invading his space. :)

9:00 AM rolls around and it is time for key worship team members from five local churches to get together and enjoy a breakfast of pastries and fruit before the Worship Workshop. This workshop lasted about three hours and was excellent.

I learned how to worship when I was a member of the Worship Team with the Bostocks as the Worship Pastors for the church I attended. Later, my family lead Praise and Worship at a couple of local churches occasionally thinking we were doing okay. Well, after attending this workshop I realized we didn't know much at all - it was excellent! I learned a lot about dynamics, sound, flow, song choice, and what worship really means. I also realized that Greg and Glenda are an anointed couple who have hearts for sharing what they know with others so that they can experience a greater worship experience in their own churches. And all this for just a love offering. Love - that is what it's all about.

Wait... I must take a deep breath. I'm writing this in the RV and Glenda is driving right now! I quickly glance at that little foot that just barely reaches the middle of the accelerator. After intently watching Glenda drive the beast, I breathe a sigh of relief... I can relax, she's not a bad bus driver at all. In fact, she's pretty darn good!

Where was I.. oh yeah, the workshop. After the workshop, we enjoy lunch provided by the ladies of the church and have some great time of fellowship. It's nice to see people from five different churches spending time together, all united in one purpose - living a life for God.

After the workshop, the stage has to be transformed for two services on Sunday. The Bostocks are leading the church service on Sunday morning, while on Sunday night, members from all the local churches are invited to come and enjoy a night of worship with Heart & Soul: Greg, Glenda and Anna.

Setting up the stage takes another couple of hours; cables need to be run, heavy speakers need to be lifted onto stands, lighting and project screens installed, instruments and computers connected and tested. Often Greg has to do this alone while Glenda and Anna are ministering and networking with people in and around the church. Doing this close to 100 times a year doesn't make it any easier or quicker, and Greg is always happy to accept help - even from any passengers who happen to be traveling in their RV.

Afterward, we go to Pastor Stan and Karen's house for dinner and fellowship. Karen is amazing! After a full day of work she came home home to bake cookies, a chocolate cake, corn, and rolls for dinner. Stan worked the grill and made some killing barbecued chicken. Glenda brought a salad and some asparagus and we had a feast. I also got to see the hearts of this beautiful couple that really know how to love on their congregation while dealing with some issues of their own. Praise & Worship music played in the background at all times and love emanated towards their very good friends, Greg & Glenda.

Back at the RV we decided to bin the queen size air mattress and go for some cushions. Now Greg could reach the coffee machine easily as he practiced his unwholesome morning habit of getting up too early. ;)

Sunday is definitely not a day of rest. Greg, Glenda and Anna were up, dressed and in the auditorium two hours before the service. A sound check is made, and they practice some of the worship songs. Before the congregation come in, Greg brings everyone together for a prayer that the service will be blessed and that through them God's word will be passed to those in the audience who need it.

The service began at 10:30. I was reminded again how anointed this family is. Worship is their language and they speak it beautifully. The stories they share about God's faithfulness have many in the congregation dabbing their eyes as tears flow. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is amazing. I'm glad I came.

After this service we go to Golden Corral for lunch with Pastor Stan and part of his family. Laughter abounds when these two couples get together. Add Pastor Stan's brother and it's doubled. It was great fun.

There is time for a quick nap before the 6:00pm service. Clothes are changed, another sound check performed, practice done, and time for the concert. After the concert, Greg and Glenda chat, pray and share stories with anyone who needs their attention. There are so many people who enjoy the wisdom and love that come from Greg and Glenda; these two are never alone.

Dinner time is a quick jaunt to JB's Restaurant with Pastor Stan and more of his family. Food, laughter, and some great stories create another memorable experience and completes the busy but successful day. People's hearts have been touched and lives have been changed. A love offering for Mission Vietnam has been fruitful and another mission led weekend is over.

But it's not over. Some sleep brings Monday morning and that means packing up. This involves a lot of muscle and another three hours. Oh! It's also the time I walked in on them. I won't bore you with the gory details, though.

Anna and Erin get the RV travel ready and we go see Pastor Stan and Karen one more time. Stan is getting his dialysis treatment done and the Bostocks bless the Dialysis center with three songs. Anna beautifully sings a solo and everyone has been touched by the Holy Spirit.




After a quick breakfast at Burger King we leave Vernal. I return to Layton enlightened. It is not easy traveling like this. It takes twice as long to do normal domestic chores, let alone adding the extra activities they are called to do, ministering to others. They are rarely alone - they willingly and lovingly give of themselves and of their time. Greg and Glenda leave the comforts and routines of home to go out and spread the Word and teach others of God's Love. It's a sacrifice in far too many ways, but it's a sacrifice that they eagerly embrace. They've been called and they have obeyed.
Author: Kat Connolly

Spring Tour with the Bostocks

WOW! So much has happened since the last blog. We are finally home after a 4500 mile tour to the south. We had so many wonderful experiences that it's hard to put it all into words. Leaving our friends in Alabama was not as easy this time around. They are all so much like family to us. Ron and Pam Gothart and their daughter Christa hosted us for a month. Just letting us use their washer and dryer was SUCH a blessing! Ron along with James Caffrey head up the Hellfighters Motorcycle Club, a group of amazing people with huge hearts for reaching the lost and we love them all dearly! All of our "Bamese Buddies" that are a part of Mission Vietnam will always have a HUGE place in our hearts. We had a concert at Woodmont Baptist Church on our last night in Alabama, hosted by Ron and Claudia Moody and the wonderful singles group there. Many of our Mission Vietnam "battle buddies" drove or flew in for the weekend and joined us in Florence for the service. There's not enough space to share how priceless this team of dear friends is to us. Many sacrifices have been made by each one that has made an impact for God's Kingdom in Vietnam. God has woven us together to work in this harvest and blessed us to become such close knit friends. A special treat and honor was to have Dr Ngoc and his wife Dr. Ahn from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam there, along with Executive Directors, Wayne and Joanne Wright, and Wade Franks to minister along side us. It was a powerful night of ministry! Early the next morning we traveled 600 miles to Shreveport, Louisiana to minister at Gateway Church. Pastor Richard and Brenda Exley have been Pastoring this awesome fellowship for just over a year now. It was such a blessing to get to know them and their wonderful staff and congregation. Pastor Richard and Brenda have been full-time evangelists for 18 years and know what it's like to walk by faith. The Lord has placed them in Shreveport to do a great work with one of the sweetest churches we've ministered in. After leaving Louisiana we got to go to Fort Worth, Texas to meet up with our kids Michelle & Richie and our amazing grandbabies Caleb and Marlee. What a great Mother's Day gift to all of us! It's like an ENORMOUS hug from Heaven to get to spend time with our kids, and we can't thank Steve and Linda Over enough for graciously allowing us to gather together in their home to have a place to spend precious, limited time with our kids and with them! We headed for home after two months of living on the road and thank the Lord for giving us another anointed tour of touching lives for Him. We have had many people ask us how we travel full time like we do? How can you do this with the cost of fuel? Our answer is, "HE IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE!" It's only by the strength of the Lord that we can do what we are doing.

Our first service in Utah was this past Sunday with Pastor Dane and Bev Wead at New Life Fellowship in Logan, Utah. They are meeting in a movie theater for Sunday worship as they wait on the Lord to bring in the finances to build their new house of worship. 180 people filled the movie theater as the presence of the Lord was so sweet. Glenda and I shared our testimony and Anna took our breath away as she boldly shared the Word and sang with such power. At the end of the service a 16 year old young man gave his heart to JESUS. :) It was wonderful to have the Silva family with us, faithful servants of the Lord who give of their time, money and talents to serve this ministry. Please keep our secretary Pam Silva in your prayers as her feet continue to need healing after surgery.

Glenda, Anna and I would like to thank all of you that have sacrificed to help this ministry go forward. We are all in it together until JESUS RETURNS. Our hearts are renewed with new vigor as we await our new assignments.

May the Lord JESUS CHRIST be your strength and shield!

Greg, Glenda and Anna