September 27th - NEXT EVENT!

Hi everyone!

Well, I am pleased to report that Higher Ground Christian Coffeehouse's next event is set for Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

The show will be a GREAT one if you like rockin' Christian music! Manny and Jessie Elswick will be joining us with band in tow; band Good Friday" will open, comedy by Jeff Arwood, Garrett Horne, and Robert Wilson is on tap, and maybe a couple of surprise musical guests! I am stoked! Of course, DDR Dance Revolution will be online for practice and, if we have time, we might have a quick contest for teh best dancers out there.

Join us for a great time ina Christian atmosphere like no other. Great food, great fun, grat environment...

See ya'll there Saturday! Godspeed! --BR

Next Show - SEPTEMBER 27th! HIGHER GROUND!!!

Hi All!

I trust that this message is finding you well! I guess a lot of you are heading back to school. Please know that we are praying for you and hoping for the very best in the coming school year.

HIGHER GROUND'S NEXT EVENT IS SEPTEMBER 27, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.! Please spread the word to your friends, families, church, -- anyone!

We will post the performers here as soon as we have things established.

See you on September 27th! Godspeed...BR

Hi Everyone!

What a huge night at the ‘House! Saturday the 19th was great! The crowd was happenin’, the music was rockin’, and the mood was high! Many thanks to everyone who made it and to all who worked so hard to get Higher Ground moving again. It sure had been a long time, but it was just like going home! We had Travis Roberts headline, local band “Failure 2 Fall” (who just placed 3rd in the Buchanan County battle of the Bands), the Higher Ground House Band (now “Good Friday”), and a whole bunch of crazy people!

Travis Roberts was and is AWESOME. What a great player and man of God. His music was worshipful, powerful and kickin’! His message was one of hope. We thoroughly enjoyed every song – the new CD Love’s Revolution is great and I encourage you to buy one. Visit his website at www.travisrobertsmusic.com. Go visit and listen to some GREAT Christian music!

Failure to Fall covered the new Addison Road song “Stickin’ with You” and, man, it ROCKED! They also did “Happy” by Ayiesha Woods, “Walkin’ on Sunshine,” and “Goin Home.” Band members are: Emily Ratliff, Tyler Adams, Ethan Prater, Brandon Viers, and Bryan Davis. Great job, guys!

We want to thank everyone who came out to support Higher Ground and for your prayers. We are so excited about a new season at the ‘House and are currently planning a new event in September. Keep it here for updates!

Thanks again, and, GODSPEED! --BR

CHANGED DATE! Coffee House on July 19th!

Hi All!

NEW DATE: 7-19-08

The date for coffeehouse has been changed to fit everyone's schedule more effectively. Higher Ground will has been rest for Saturday, July 19, 2008 from 7:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. Gonna be AWESOME! We have the HG House Band, the band, "Failure to Fall," Garrett Horn and Lcas Shortridge doing comedy in "El Mundo de Jesus!" and more! We are expecting a great band that I cannot yet reveal since we have not confirmed. Keep it here for more! We will also have DDR Dance Revolution between sets and some great food!

Can't wait to see you all!!! Remember - tell someone! Godspeed! -- BR

Higher Ground - JULY 12, 2008!!! ;)

Hey Everyone!

Yeah – It IS about time! We have not had Coffeehouse in a little over a year. WOW! Time sure does FLY!

July 12, 2008 – Higher Ground Christian Coffeehouse will be open! Starting time is 7:00 P.M. until 10:30 P.M.

I am so excited to be making this announcement. We have had numerous contacts concerning the coffeehouse over the past year and lots of interest. We felt that it was time to kickstart the fun and get an event going.

We will have the Higher Ground House Band, Some variety/comedy skits, Dance Revolution contests during breaks, and entertainment from one of our guest performers. Gonna be a blast!

Tell someone…and come join us for food, fun, and entertainment in a Chirstian environment like no other! For more info, e-mail us at ofghigherground@yahoo.com. Godspeed…BR

Higher Ground, me, us, church, CHRIST, Faith, Hope, Love....

Hi Everyone:

I haven't written in a while. As I do this, memories come flooding back concerning our many AWESOME times at Higher Ground. Our last coffeehouse was on April 7, 2007. I think my last blog post was some time around then as well. It is now December 12, 2007 and we are approaching our glorious Savior's birthday. Praise to Christ the King! Thank you , God for sending your only begotten son to us.

This afternoon, I met with another fellow locally who is on fire for God and wants to reach teens and young adults much the way we have with HG. I got so excited! I showed him the web site and it hit me...it has been 8 months since we had an event. Now we are discussing "joining forces" which could be incredible. We'll see...

Higher Ground was birthed as a ministry that would be an outreach to teens and young adults throughout our community in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was pretty successful, by any measure. I have been approached lately multiple times and asked when the next coffeehouse is coming up. It is missed by some, for sure. I am pleased to report that, after HG, there have been 2 new Christian coffee houses set up based on ours...that makes us proud. We support them 100%. During the time HG was going, we saw 13 kids get saved - a period from March 2005 to April 2007. We ran crowds of 35 people up to 175+. The coffeehouse was self-sustaining, and we generated over $7,000.00 for the church recreation center. As of now, however, Higher Ground will only operate occasionally as a fund-raiser/fun special event. We will keep everyone posted on when it is coming -- so keep in touch! There are numerous reasons for this, but this is unfortunately how it must be at this time. I now well up with tears, but also with pride...not improper pride, but a happiness that we could serve God in this way, have soooo much fun and build so many relationships.

I am now a lawyer working a lot of hours. Missi is now in RN school (and is a mom, we have 2 kids, etc...). There is no one else at this time who will/can take the reigns and move the coffeehouse on. We learned pretty early that the project cannot continue without sufficient assistance and volunteers. Please know that we had some SUPER people who helped out -- but right now, the coffeehouse would require new leaders...or at least folks who could/would share a leadership role.

WE LOVE YOU ALL! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS MINISTRY!!!

oh - yeah - it ain't over. ;) The coffeehouse will come around periodically as our schedules will permit...probably 2-3 times a year. The HG Houseband has evolved into "Ends of the Earth," a Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock group that plays regularly. Emily Ratliff (band vocalist) is doing quite a bit of solo stuff in the community, The Oakwood Full Gospel rec center is still open to everyone, we have youth events that have elements of the coffeehouse (like DDR Dance Revolution Contests) and the church's youth are doing GREAT things -- like ZeroGravity, the church dance team! Please visit us at Oakwood Full Gospel Church.

REMEMBER -- John 3:16

Later...Godspeed -- BR

Saturday, March 17th! 3rd Wave - AWESOME!

Hey everyone!
Yeah, I know – long time, no talk. So SORRY! I guess life can make us so busy we forget the things we are passionate about. Like the coffeehouse…but boy, this past weekend at Higher Ground was unlike ANYTHING we have EVER done before thanks to 3rd Wave Uth – www.3rdwaveuth.org, their drama team, 301, and Pastor Kelly Foster – all from Zion Family Ministries at Wise, Virginia, and ZeroGravity – Oakwood Full Gospel’s own dance team.

The atmosphere was electric Saturday night. There was anticipation in the air and we did not leave disappointed. Awesome music, great ministry, and a FLOOD of God’s spirit…it was truly a night to remember at the ‘house!

The Higher Ground House Band got started with a few songs, including “Praise You in this Storm.” Emily Ratliff, Ren Harman, Roger Vandyke, Ted Watson, and BR cranked out 3 tunes before stepping aside and letting Third Wave, 301, and ZeroGravity loose on the HUGE crowd of over 150. We actually moved the coffeehouse to the main floor of the recreation center this week! There were over 80 teens at the event – all jumping up and down, praising God at the tops of their voices.

3rd Wave kicked up with a huge sound and a great spirit. Man! Big, Big, BIG! The group got everyone’s attention with a new approach and a positive message. The band played 3 sets with anointed DRIVE! Really cool. The 301 Drama Team did a fantastic job with several skits as well as anointed and poetic dance. The message conveyed was truly one of salvation and of hope. You guys did an OUTSTANDING job! ZeroGravity, the dance team from Oakwood Full Gospel Church, did 2 songs with anointing…Great job you guys!

Many Thanks toPastor Kelly, 3rd Wave, 301, ZeroGravity, our Pastors (Pastor Trula and Pastor Jerry), all of the folks who came, and to everyone who worked in the kitchen. Be sure to check out 3rd Wave’s web site!

See y’all next month! Godspeed…BR