First, let me introduce you to Nathan Del Turco. Nathan has been on Living Streams’ staff for a year and serves as the Creative Arts Director. The only word you really need pay attention to from that last sentence is “serves.” Nathan serves. Like Jesus, Nathan sees himself as the servant of all. Nathan has not come to be served, but to serve. He is highly skilled, tremendously experienced, lively, compassionate, funny, and yet, finds his joy and meaning in serving. He works extremely hard, is always very teachable, and is quick to clear the air anytime he senses a strange breeze in the area of relationships. (And although he says he has some sort of mafia connection in his Italian ancestry, he is either lying or some grandma must have done a good job praying that out of their heritage.)
Next, let me introduce you to Stuart Laws. Stuart has been hanging about since last Easter. He joined our staff at the beginning of 2022. He serves as the Production Director and frequently leads our music times of worship. He has a heart to serve as well, but it feels very different with Stuart. Being with Stuart is like being being home for Christmas — not the home you live in now, but the home in which you grew up and made warm Christmas memories. The way he interacts, listens, and is attentive to you is like being surrounded with mom, dad, brothers and sisters all happy to be together. He dresses sharp, but not to impress. He does things very well, but is not controlling. He is “West Coast laid-back,” but he hasn’t lost his “Carolina Southern charm.” I don’t think he has ever met someone he did not think more highly of than himself. And he uses his quick wit to figure out how to cheer you on with what you are saying (or trying to say and not doing a very good job).
Now, let me tell you about the Dwell Conference these guys helped put on at Living Streams. The Dwell Conference is a gathering for church leaders and creative teams. It is primarily aimed at churches in Phoenix and churches of medium to small size. We want to make a really good conference for the little guy who may not have the funds to go out of state to a big-time conference. We also really want the Church in Phoenix to be united and to know one another so we can love one another just as Jesus prayed for us to do. (One of my favorite examples of this is a worship team from River Church in Safford, Arizona that always attends Dwell.)
This year’s Dwell Conference was really wonderful. Somehow, in all the sound, song, silence, lights, technology and programming, the message that health and humility are what is best and most beautiful was loud and clear. Like the Apostle Paul, our creative arts team knows God’s strength is found as they glory in their weaknesses. They figured out a way to help all of us offer those beautiful, broken and contrite sacrifices that Psalm 51 teaches us about, yet it still felt joyful and full of life.
I am very thankful for all of the people I get to work with. I am very thankful the Lord saw fit to add these two individuals to our church family. I am very excited that they care deeply about our multi-generational call, and how sound, volume, creativity and technology serve that call. I am also very excited about what we will be learning, experiencing, and enjoying as they continue to serve and lead our family with humble, helpful, grateful and generous hearts.
The only thing I am not excited about is some of the parking lot issues and over-crowding that all this goodness is (and will be) causing. For more on that please watch this video.
David