the starfield blog

“Rush” - Kelowna, BC.

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:55:50 +0000

Another awesome year at “Rush” in Kelowna, BC, Canada! - Seriously one of the most fun, crazy, relevant, and life changing youth conferences that we have ever been a part of. Maybe it’s just that it’s in our home province, or maybe it’s the crisp mountain air, but whatever the reason, we love being a part of this conference. This year it was in an outdoor horse barn, permanent tent type structure which is normally used for horse shows…So, it was super muddy and super dusty, but that didn’t keep any of the 1600 or so crazed youth from completely going nuts for 3 days straight. It’s been a month or so since we’ve performed at all, so it was exhilarating to get on stage and lead worship again. I suppose that’s the whole point of taking a break…the hope is that it becomes new again. And our prayers were certainly answered. The worship was passionate, the voices were loud, and the holy spirit did his work…Our hearts were turned to heaven once again. Thanks to all the amazing leadership at Willow park church for working so hard…It’s certainly not in vain. That’s all I got, we’re home again, writing, and relaxing….- Jon.

“My Generation” with Bells

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:57:51 +0000

Okay, I had to share this…it seems that a “Bell choir” at St Paul’s United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware decided to do a cover version of “My Generation”…But there’s a catch. They’re a “Bell choir”, so they covered the song using only bells in one form or another. It’s actually pretty good. I was impressed. Here you go, I just couldn’t let this go un-exposed to the world. And Thank you to the “Bell Choir” for your hard work. - Jon.

Resurrection - Year 3

admin — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:00:03 +0000

Well, we’ve safely navigated our way through January 2009, and that means another set of fun filled back to back weekend conferences at “Resurrection” in Gatlinburg, TN. Thank you once again is in order for all the hyper hypo united Methodist crazies for making our 3rd year, the best yet! We had a lot of fun.

And for a change we even rented a cabin high up in the smoky mountains with a back deck and a hot-tub looking down on Gatlinburg, and the “Ober Gatlinburg” ski hill. (www.obergatlinburg.com) It was beautiful, and a nice reclusive and relaxing escape for us. The cabin also had wireless internet and HD TV, so was the furthest thing from “roughing it”. In any case, the one drawback was the world’s windiest road that led up to the cabin. After navigating it 10 times throughout the first weekend, we decided that our stomachs couldn’t handle it again, so we booked a hotel for the second weekend.

Anyways, all that said, it was a lot of fun. We then spent 5 days in Nashville in between the weekends, and had meetings with our manager, booking, and the label, as well as a few writing sessions thrown in the mix. Yes, it’s that time again…when we rev up our creative engines, and try our best to come up with something new. If all goes well, we will have a new record before the end of the year. But we’ll just have to wait and see…well, that’s all for now. We’re enjoying some long anticipated time off. Be blessed - Jon.

Respect & Dependence

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:18:13 +0000

Psalm 33:18-22

“Watch this: God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together. We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got—that’s what we’re depending on.”

I read this passage yesterday, and it felt like a timely word given the current circumstances in the world at large. The unsure and worried feelings that many of us feel while the world economy plunges and no one seems to know how to fix it. There are so many questions without answers it seems, as we head into “lean times”. But God’s promise is clear. He WILL “rescue us in bad times”, and keep our “body and soul together”. But I don’t think God’s “rescue” is always what we think it is. It may be a rescue of the soul more than a rescue of our comfort & security. Perhaps this time should be one of reflection and dependence. A time when we should turn our hearts inward and examine the condition of our souls. Is our heavenly father our one dependence, or do we rely on our wealth, or our material things to bring us satisfaction, fulfillment, and safety? I think this is often the case for me, and if anything has struck me in the last half a year or so, as the walls we’ve built seem unsteady, it’s that when all else fails in this life, our one true foundation is Christ, and Christ alone. As the old song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of his glory & grace”… Be encouraged, God is in control of the world at large, but more importantly he cares for each of us, and will keep us safe under the shadow of his wings. - Jon.

Thanks for seeing us in 2008!

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:28:11 +0000

Just wanted to post a quick message, passing along our thanks to all who came out and saw us play in 2008. As we look back, it was a really busy year. We did:
- one tour of Canada with Shane & Shane, Bethany Dillon, and David Nasser
- one US tour with that same great group of people
- a second tour of Canada with Will Graham and Johnny Parks Band
- one headline tour of the US with Above the Golden State opening up for us- a total of 4 weeks worth of festivals and shows in the UK and Europe

Not to mention some great youth and youth worker conferences and individual concerts along the way. We’re very thankful to all the churches and individuals who hosted us, to all the people who came out to the events, to all the bands and speakers we partnered with - but mostly to our Lord and Savior who gives us breath and life and grace and mercy.

The Northeast…

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:34:41 +0000

As we drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on our way to New Jersey, Fall has set in, and the trees are as colorful and vibrant as I’ve ever seen them…This part of North America is so beautiful in the fall, and for some reason always evokes feelings of comfort, warmth, and peace in my soul. I’m thankful for the changing seasons, and how they bring about expectation and tradition in us…I think the physical world and it’s seasons force us as human beings to change and to move forward. But they also force us to take a step back and be still as the world moves on so quickly…I find myself looking back more and finding reasons to be thankful as I remember years past when the leaves fell in Autumn…Remembering what’s important and what’s of value. I think with changing seasons comes expectation and excitement, and a reminder of the promise that God has a plan for me, a hope and a future, and even as life moves forward, and the years go by, I am still his child who he dearly loves, and cares deeply for.

In this time of reflection and thanksgiving, take a step back, and remember how God has led and guided you. Be thankful for times of blessing and the times of trial and how God has used those times to refine and strengthen you…And most of all, find a new trust in him. His ways are higher than ours, and we can’t begin to understand the complexity of his role in our lives, but we CAN receive his love and trust that he is in control every day. - Jon.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

YS Sacramento 2008

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:02:04 +0000

Here’s an excerpt from a message we receive on our myspace page shortly after the YS conference in Sacramento that we led worship at this last weekend. It was an inspiring/moving time of worship. Anyways, here’s one person’s comments on the weekend, and more specifically the evening session on Sunday night.

“About three thousand youth workers gathered together for worship during a “general session” in the main hall… we just heard an incredible word from the oldest and most passionate youth worker at this convention. His name is Tony Campolo, and he is in his 70’s. I cant even begin to describe the impact his words carried into the silence of our hearts… into my heart… into my silence. After Tony, a group named Starfield came out onto the stage… they began to lead this massive audience of youth workers into worship… to worship the VERY REASON, the same DIVINE ENTITY who has called us to serve the youth of our generation.When WE began to worship, I’m sure Daddy was smiling… I’m sure He was especially fond of this moment. WE were all so very different… from the color of our skin, culture, geographical location – to the version of Christianity we stuck to… we were all so different it was almost funny…almost sad… almost tragic that until this moment we weren’t able to worship Him in harmony – like ONE body… like ONE bride. This time God didn’t need a welcoming or a special invitation… He was already there… and we knew it… we already desired Him, we already belonged to Him… and He knew it. I stood shoulder-to-should with young men and women I have never met before, and what was most fascinating is that we didn’t need to know each other… there existed an evident unity… it was as though we were all of ONE Spirit. “

The tour continues on, and we are humbled and thankful that God is moving and breathing through what we do. It is humbling and exciting. Please continue to uphold the tour, and the unity of those involved, in prayer. - Jon.

Oregon.

admin — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:44:46 +0000

We’re currently on our way to Sacramento for our first Youth Specialties conference this year. And we just drove past beautiful Mt. Shasta.

Just had 2 amazing concerts in Oregon. The first was at a Calvary Chapel in Corvalis (a small town about an hour south of Portland) The first concert or two of a tour often involve a lot of scrambling. Tying up loose ends, rehearsing songs that didn’t get enough attention in previous rehearsals, making sure everything technical is working…etc. I think we also approach the first few days of any tour with a certain amount of insecurity…a healthy amount I hope. Mostly over the unknowns…Are people gonna show up? will they know the songs? will there be a connection beyond what we can bring? I guess we never really know if the tour is gonna pan-out the way we had hoped…

All that to say, this tour so far has exceeded our expectations. The people in Corvalis were full of hope and surrender…Their hands were in the air the whole night as we lifted up our savior together…Thank you Ian for all your hard work putting the concert together, we can’t wait to come back. On Friday, we hopped back up to Portland, and visited our friends at Solid Rock church, where we led worship in their regular friday night service. It’s always an honor to be a part of what God is doing at Solid Rock. We love the community, and we love the people…I can honestly say, it feels like home. So, we’re off to a good start, and I know YS will be great. It always is. Also, it’s the home of one of our crew members “Kyle”. So I think we might get a little home cookin’ while we’re in the area…At least a BBQ or something… - Jon.

Setting up for the first night in Corvallis, Oregon.

The Fall Tour is Upon Us!

admin — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:39:39 +0000

Happy Friday to all - Tim here writing from sunny British Columbia. The northwest is amazing this time of year. I’d invite all of you over for a cookout, but I need to change out the propane canister for my grill and it’d be embarrassing to have thousands of people over with no food. Maybe another time.But that’s not why I’m writing you today. I’m talking about our first-ever headline US tour. I love typing that. We’ve opened for great bands in our career and have loved all the youth conferences and worship conferences, but there’s something about going out with our own sound and lighting and ideas and songs and all of that. And we’re taking out a great opener - Above the Golden State - from Portland, OR. We’re very excited.I do have a couple things I’d like to plug, while I’ve got your attention:1 - We’re hitting a lot of cities, so check out the tour schedule at myspace, at starfieldonline.com, or in ‘Events’ at Facebook.2 - If you’re a Facebook person - join ‘The Official Starfield Group’, add Tim Neufeld (that’s me!) from Vancouver as a friend, and RSVP to whichever concert might be in your area.3 - check out the invitation video we posted at myspace and youtube. And not to be too Facebook crazy, but Jon posted his own video on there, too.So that’s a good update for now. I’ll write more once I figure out the details for our cookout together.Tim

Half way through…

admin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:14:39 +0000

Loving the fall weather way up here in Canada. We’ve had some beautiful drives and amazing scenery on our trek across Canada. The highlight for me being the north shore of Lake Superior. Probably the most remote stretch of highway ever, where we nearly ran out of gas multiple times, but it was all worth it for the serene landscape and piercingly blue hue of the largest fresh water lake in the world. Tim and I used to come here when we were kids and stay at our Grandmother’s cabin in Schreiber, a small town on Lake Superior, so this drive always floods us with memories) Taking in the beauty of creation has always been my favorite part of traveling so much.

Anyways, all scenery aside, this tour has been a riot. We’ve had a lot of fun hanging out late into the night with the Johnny Parks band (our new Irish friends), and we’ve enjoyed getting to know Will Graham a bit more as well. We’ve been going now for something like 7 days straight and I think we’re all ready for our day off in Calgary in tuesday…It will be a much needed break for sure…We are on our way to Medicine Hat as I type…and we will finish the tour in Alberta this coming friday. - Jon.

On a side note, I’m a little sick of Tim Hortons since it’s the only thing there is to eat or drink in most of these towns…I think I’m okay to abstain from Timmy’s for about a year after this tour. Although the breakfast sandwiches are pretty good…I’d even go so far as to say that they beat out McDonalds “Egg McMuffin”…Can I get a witness?!