El Vow

Recently I took a trip to Cuidad Juárez to link up with the team, when I arrived, they were hard at work, wrapping up a home for a family who didn’t have one. While there, I couldn’t help but to notice a little boy named Moises, better known as “Moi”. Little Moi was around the age of my youngest daughter, about 5 or 6 years old and equally full of energy and life. Although the two could pass as cousins, they have grown up in two vastly different worlds. For my daughter, she has always enjoyed the security of a home, unfortunately for Moi, his short life has lacked in fundamental necessities. 

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus is recorded saying:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Although we live in a polarized world, where people become pawns and profits proceed people. I am reminded of this scripture “The least of these” You see, Moi didn’t know much about borders or policies, he’s never taken a class in economics let alone theology. However, little Moi did know he needed a home. 

Amid such a divided world, I can imagine the spirit of God tugging at the hem of the American church, and simply whispering the following question.

“Do you recognize the least of these?”

I pray that the holy spirit would open our eyes to see beyond our luxuries and comforts and our day-to-day hustle, and that we would be compelled to be the church and serve those around us, including people like little Moi… “the least of these”.

Thanks to Casas Por Cristo, Moi and his family have a home to call their own.

Your brother in service,

Bryan “El Vow” Martinez
 

In a world full of broken people, the outcome is a plethora of broken homes. In fact according to NCADV in the U.S. alone, nearly 10 million men and women become victims of domestic violence every year! Unfortunately, I myself grew up in a broken and violent home. I saw things as a child that will most likely be engraved into the very depths of my mind for a very long time, possibly the rest of my life. In other words, I live with trauma.

Although I do consider myself to be a “miracle baby” who by the grace of God built a bridge that crossed over much of the statistics laid out for me. The simple truth is, at the end of the day I am merely a broken man in dire need of healing. Something my significant other, my best friend, dearest love a.k.a. my wife is all too familiar with. She has seen me at my best, and she has witnessed first-hand my absolute worst. She has seen me with some change in the bank, and she has seen me with absolutely nothing at all. Yet in some miraculous way, she has remained true to her covenant, and has stood by myside through every hell-bent twist and turn life has thrown my way. 

A true living example of what it means to love someone with a Godly Agape type of love. 

I dedicate this song to my best friend and lover, thank you for loving me.

Sincerely, 
Vow

When you grow up in a broken home, the Holiday’s tend to remind you of a lot of pain. In fact, there’s some dark statistics out there about what people actually go through this time of the year. For much of my life I have battled with this very same sentiment during the “jolly” season, truthfully it has robbed me of many great experiences. I have always felt like I am too much of an outcast to partake in the Thanksgiving celebrations, too broken to enjoy that special Christmas moment. Too burdened to shift into an attitude of gratitude.

Earlier this year, I stumbled upon some facts in scripture that really rocked me to my core, and chances are you’ve already read the Christmas scriptures. Yet you missed a giant detail like I did.

You ready?

Here it is…

The Magi (wise men) were Gentiles.

This may not mean much to you, but this brought me to tears, because I believe from the very moment that Jesus was born he declared that he was the savior of the world. The savior of the elite, the poor, the Jew, and the Gentile. These Magi sought out the king, they used their knowledge of astronomy to navigate, and they were among some of the first humans to ever lay eyes on the Messiah (INSANE!). Not only did they see the newborn King in all of his glory, but they also bowed and worshiped. In fact, to top it off, they also gave generously. (Matthew 2:11)

If you’re like me and often feel too damaged, or too much of an outsider. Be like the Gentile Magi and seek the King, and when you find him, bow down, worship, and give generously.

P.S.

This year I decided to finally make a Christmas song, and of course, I had to remake the classic song heard across Latin America this time of the year. “Mi burrito sabanero” an absolute Christmas banger from Latin America that describes a journey on a donkey to seek the new born Jesus.

Well, hope you enjoy my version, here is  “Tuki Tuki – El Vow”

Growing up I didn't have the best of interactions with my father, in fact, you could even say the vast majority of my problems have some sort of root in our tumultuous relationship. 

A few years ago, on an autumn Sunday evening while I was at home with my little ones, I suddenly received the call… you know, THE call, the one that freezes time. The call that creates a stamp into the very depths of your soul.

It was my brother on the line, a familiar voice I had not heard in years, 
 “Dad had a heart attack, he died” he cried over the phone as I heard audible weeping coming from the speaker.

I ended the call, I called my wife, and I embarked in what felt like, the longest drive of my life.

You see, my father and I had not spoken in years, he had ignored my calls, I had not pursued or merely attempted any type of reconciliation. I just continued in my in my own pursuits, my wife, my children, well… you know, my life. I had impacted thousands of people, traveled around the globe, yet I had not traveled to visit my old man.

My father, the drunk, the womanizer, the abuser, the atheist.

I know, we are all sinners, and I know the “to the least of these” scripture, and the “honor your father” commandment. I know, I know them all, I’ve read them all, I’ve knelt on alters and meditated over them. I’ve read extensively from people that had forgiven and reconciled and had remarkable epic hallmark worthy moments. Yet… I couldn’t make it work.

And sadly, I ran out of time. I don’t know if I will ever see my father again, I don’t know what his final years were like, I don’t know what his final moments entailed, or even the last words he murmured before he took his final breath. 
 

All I know is that inside of me, is a little boy that still wished he had been loved by his earthly father, nurtured, corrected, supported, or even embraced. I don’t know why certain things happen, I don’t have the answers for everything, I can only rely on my heavenly father for wisdom, guidance and comfort. 
 

I wrote a short song to my father, I was honest and vulnerable. It’s not a sermon or a thesis, its simply my art, and a window view to my life. 

https://elvow.com/mi-viejo

I have worked in creative ministry for a long time. I have previously been on staff at four different mega churches ranging from 6k-30k members, and I have also worked as a freelancer/contractor partnering with various ministries throughout the years. Are you a creative passionate about ministry? Do you use your art as a bridge to connect culture with the church? 

Are you considering applying at that one church or megachurch you follow on social media? 

Well… Here are my top 7 things to look for when applying and looking for a creative church job. These are things I have personally learned over the years. This is all major advice I wish I would of received before diving into the deep end of the church pool.

1. ANSWER THE CALL
I know, this sounds super cliche and redundant. But I can't stress this enough, be sure you have a ministry call in your life, even as a creative, because the math will never make sense. Make sure you have a good foundation, a strong back bone, trust me, you will need it.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH
Find out what made the church successful in the first place, is it a megachurch? Why is it a megachurch in the first place? Was it built by a previous pastor? What is the church known for? Is it the current Pastors communication skills? Controversy? Love and community? The Holy Spirit? Politics? (yikes!) You'd be surprised what at a simple google search can do.

3. TALK MONEY
When negotiating a salary, be realistic, after all it is ministry. Make sure to ask questions and do your research beforehand. Watch out for churches that will make you sign contracts saying you cannot take on outside contract work for extra income. Unfortunately, I have met many (including myself) that took on an unrealistic low pay.

4. TAKE THE VALUE
Make sure the church is interested in you and your art and they are not just trying to fill in a role. Sadly many churches and megachurches can operate more like giant corporations and will treat you like one as well.

5. SAY NO TO BEING THE TOKEN
If you are a minority, make sure you are not being hired to be the token. Many churches simply seek out the nearest minority to be able to call themselves “multi-cultural”. Yet have no desire to engage let alone learn anything about you or your culture. There is a huge difference between being celebrated and being tolerated.
 

6. LOOK FOR RED FLAGS
Red flags are red flags! Don't ignore them, in fact, runaway as soon as you can! If the Pastor is taking trips to Disney World every week meanwhile you are being offered a below average salary then don't expect it to ever get better, it will only get worse (yes I saw this happen). Nepotism is real in the church world, if the 18-year-old pastor's son is getting paid enough to be driving a brand-new Range Rover to church only to fold baptism towels, (yes, I also saw this) then do like Joseph and FLEE!
 

7. LOOK FOR A SABBATH CULTURE
Remember that one thing called “sabbath” that was inscribed in the tablets as commandments by God himself? Yeah, well for a lot of churches it only applies for the lead Pastor and his elected few. So, depending on which creative role you take on, make sure the church or megachurch has a sabbath culture, otherwise you will be worked until you are tired and burnt out only to be replaced by the next willing vulnerable young soul.

A couple of things worth mentioning.
This is strictly advice for people that would consider themselves professional and not for people interested in learning a trade, that would be an internship, which is an entirely different topic for an entirely different day.

Also, the reality is most churches that can afford a creative staff member are churches that are rather large and busy. So you really can't expect the church to spiritually feed you as a staff member. Make a plan and go find the spiritual refills yourself. Whether through small groups or even at an entirely different church. Yes, some churches are so big that you are not even required to be a member at that church. Insane? Perhaps, but it's the reality for churches in the USA.

Last but most certainly not least. ALWAYS STAY HUMBLE, ALWAYS BE COACHABLE. Believe big dreams, pray the impossible over your art. Now get out there and create something dope for the kingdom.
 

Thoughts? Questions? Let me know in the comments below.