...a place to capture the otherworldliness of thought.
Ah, inspiration... that elusive "friend" of the artist. For some, the muse strikes at the most inopportune moments; for others, there is no muse.
Luckily for Janna, the muse appears to have taken up residence.
When Janna sits down to work on a piece, she rarely sits motionless for long. Once she finds the right angle, the words flow from her fingertips onto the screen. From inception to completion, Janna's focus is on the story and the people who make it real.
Janna was contacted in May 2006 by Bethany Vanderputten, from the Calgary-based Christian band Ekklesia (now disbanded), to rewrite the band's bio for their web site.
Officially formed in January 2003, Ekklesia has actually been playing on and off together since September 2001. Since our birth, as a worship team (called "Psalm 18:2") put together for a Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) weekend, Ekklesia has played at various venues and events in the city of Calgary, while playing regularly at TEC events.
In August 2003, Ekklesia travelled on a two week trip to Southern Poland ministering on the streets with our music, in partnership with Next Level International, First Assembly Church, and Hosanna Church in Czestachowa, Poland. In July 2004, Neil Broadbent (Acoustic Guitar and Vocals) decided to leave the band to pursue other avenues of music. The band was sad to see him go, but continued to minister as a 'quartet'. Then, in February 2005 Neil rejoined the band.
In July 2005 two members of the band, Bethany and Scott returned to Poland with fellow musician Anthony Packwood and other members of a First Assembly Missions Team, to partner again with the Hosanna Church in Southern Poland.
As "called-out ones" (which is the meaning of the word 'Ekklesia'), the band feels called to lead people into new levels of worship, passion for Christ, and dedication to the kingdom. With songs such as "Over and Over", "Holy Rain", and "Sweet Love", Ekklesia has a multi-generational sound that appeals to a wide variety of people, crosses cultural boundaries, and breaks through denominational walls.
We feel that as a group, we are more than the sum of our parts, and we are excited to see where God will take us in the future.
We hope to see you at an upcoming event!
2006 05 29: Ekklesia
"Called out ones"
What does 'ekklesia' mean?
church; God's chosen people
Ekklesia - Called Out Ones
CALLED OUT OF Their Youth
Ekklesia first began playing as a band for a youth retreat weekend, Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), in September of 2001. Following the call of God on their hearts, the members of Psalm 18.2 officially renamed themselves "Ekklesia" in January 2003. These followers of Christ were truly called to serve as youth, given that the two oldest members were all of twenty-two years of age when Psalm 18.2 was pulled together. Like Jeremiah the prophet, Gideon the commander, and David the king, the members of Ekklesia have been called, in their youth, to use their gifts of prophecy, leadership, and music to bring God's people closer to His heart.
CALLED OUT OF Their Comfort Zones
Most of the members of Ekklesia were not used to playing in front of people when they first began using their musical talents to minister to the TEC community in Calgary. Over the years, all have grown into their gifts and talents, and they continue to build up and encourage one another to further explore those gifts, both within their ministry and without.
CALLED AWAY FROM Home
Ekklesia does not just play in and around Calgary. They have played in venues as near as Elnora, Alberta, and as far away as Poland. The band first went to Poland for two weeks in August 2003, with Next Level International, First Assembly Church, and Hosanna Church in Czestachowa, Poland. In July 2004, Bethany and Scott accompanied Anthony Packwood and some others from First Assembly Church, back to Poland. This summer, Anthony is returning to Poland and bringing Neil and Brian with him.
CALLED TO God's People
Ekklesia has been called to minister to both the Church of God and the lost. The band's sound, with keyboard, bass, drums, and both electric and acoustic guitar, appeals to Christians and non-Christians alike. The group is also called to minister to young and old. With a repertoire that includes well-known hymns like "Holy, Holy, Holy" and contemporary worship songs like "Over and Over", as well as reworked old favourites such as "Grace Like Rain" (which is a retooling of "Amazing Grace" by Christian recording artist Todd Agnew), the band is able to follow God's call while remaining sensitive to the people to whom they are ministering.
CALLED TO Worship
As a band, Ekklesia has been called to lead people to explore new realms of worship. The band's sound is solid and true, as is the faith given substance by the music itself. The original name of this group of worshipers truly illustrated the call to worship, as the Psalms are, by and large, songs of praise and worship.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18.2, NRSV)