LONG TIME no news from Worship International and Worship Under the Stars. As you guessed by now, we opted to not have Worship Under the Stars in 2007 for a number of reasons. Please keep praying for us to have wisdom in when to bring this event (or a similar event) back to our area.

However, I’m excited to announce a great concert that will happen THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, Oct 12 at 8:00 PM in the Ritz Theater.
It’s called “Baby Boom” and is concert to benefit my friends, James and Brooke Sellers.

You may recognize James from being one of the two electric guitar players with Worship Under the Stars. He and his wife Brooke have a strong desire to start a family, but have experienced the tragedy of multiple miscarriages in the past few years. Because of complications with these, they are moving forward with plans for “invitro”. This is an expensive procedure, and one of our mutual friends, TJ Thompson, came up with an idea - hey, let’s have a music concert and donate all the proceeds to help James and Brooke start their family.

So, the “Baby Boom” concert idea was birthed. I call it “friends making music and helping other friends accomplish a dream”. The doors open at 7:30 this Friday night and tickets are $15. ALL PROCEEDS will go to James and Brooke. The event isn’t sponsored or endorsed by any specific organization - it really is just some friends coming together to make music and help out some other friends.

Artists include:
Alex Watson
McKendree Tucker
Inside Out Band
Family Life Worship Band
and myself, along with some of my “Worship Under the Stars” friends and some new players, too!

It should be a packed night with some incredible music, worship and fun. Most of all, it’s a way to reach out and help a couple who is trying to fulfill their dream.

Hope to see you there!
Fred

PS: for updates on their journey, you can visit www.thebabyjournals.com

Hope you are doing great. I wanted to post a blog update here on the Worship Under the Stars site about some things that are happening with Worship International and myself personally.

First, in case you didn’t hear, I joined the incredible staff at Saint Simons Community Church back in March as the full-time Worship & Music Director. It’s been a blast, and I’m excited to be serving the Kingdom in this local church. SSCC, Pastor David, and the Elders have been great supporters of Worship International and WUTS over the last two years since it’s launch.

Thanks also to those who supported me with “votes” and “plays” over the last many months. I was honored with the “Worship Artist of the Year, 2007″ Momentum Award a few weeks ago in Nashville, TN at the Christian Indie Alliance Summit.

More news and updates have been posted in my newsletter on my blog site. (check it out)

Now … onto the headline … “Worship Under the Stars, 2007″.

We have been praying about this and would ask that you join us. Every year, I’m asked if we are going to do this event again. Each year, we have to seek God and hear His voice - as we don’t want it to become a “dead work” or an “annual event” that you do “just because people expect it”. We want God’s desire, His vision, and His purpose.

Earlier in the year, I really didn’t feel any sense that we’d need to do it again this year, but lately I’ve been thinking about it and my heart has begun to “burn” for it once again. I was privileged to attend a concert featuring “Hillsong United” last Tuesday night and I was so empowered and encouraged that night, and came back with more vision for a 2007 event. So now, I’ve been asking our Board of Directors to join me in personal prayer for God’s will to known to us, and we ask for your prayers as well.

JUST IN CASE, we’ve already “saved the date” … in the event that after our prayer we have the “green light”, we’ve chosen Saturday, Sept 15 … ONE NIGHT, OUTDOORS (weather permitting) in the Jekylll Island Amphitheater. I realize this limits the number of attenendees but we feel strongly this is the way to do it.

So, let us know - post your comments here and “save the date”. Do you have the vision? Do you feel the need, and would you attend?
Post your comment here, and let us know!

God is great - and let Him be great through you today!

For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon, Worship Leader, Pianist, Producer
Worship International, Inc., Highest Praise Productions, Inc.

I’m honored to have been nominated for a “Momentum Award” in several categories at IndieHeaven.Com, including:

* Instrumental Artist of the Year (Fred McKinnon, Piano)
* Worship Artist of the Year (Fred McKinnon)
* Worship Album of the Year (Worship Under the Stars)

It’s now the LAST DAY TO VOTE. Then, the top 5 artists will move to the finalist stage in January.

Would you please take about 60 seconds and consider voting for me in the categories above (or where you feel appropriate) if my music has inspired or blessed you?

I appreciate the support and hope that if I’m honored to make the Finalist Stage that I will have a greater opportunity to get my music heard.

VOTE HERE BEFORE MIDNIGHT DEC 31

Youth Explosion is a vision launched by the Jekyll Island Authority for a safe, alcohol and drug free evening of Christian music, praise, and celebration. Sponsored by WayRadio 90.7 FM, Worship Under the Stars, The Gathering Place, Jekyll Island, and WECC 89.3 “The Lighthouse”, it should be an awesome night of fun, music, and celebration.

Admission is $10.00/advance, $12/door. Tickets can be purchased locally at the Shekinah Glory Christian Bookstore or Online.

Fred McKinnon (website | MySpace) is the Producer and Coordinator for the night of worship. Fred is the Producer and Worship Leader for the annual Worship Under the Stars concert which occurs on Jekyll Island each year. He has assembled a lineup of some great Christian music for the night, the last of which will be the “Worship under the Stars” Band!

The Schedule

Doors open at 9:00 PM

Opening Band: “The Rock” Bible Study Praise Band from WECC 89.3 FM “The Lighthouse”

Second Band: “Saint Lewis”, featuring Shannon Lewis (MySpace for Saint Lewis)

Third Band: Christopher Heidler (MySpace for Christopher Heidler) - a worship leader/songwriter from Atlanta, GA - awesome acoustic guitar, songwriting and vocals.

Fourth Band: McKendree Augustas, Nashville, TN (MySpace for McKendree Auguastas) - hometown of Brunswick/St. Simons, now living in Nashville, TN - awesome songwriter, band, performer, worship leader - his music will be a huge treat!

Fifth Band: Worship Under the Stars Band (www.worshipunderthestars.com)

The “WUTS” band will take the stage around 11:00 - 11:15 PM, EST and will lead the crowd in a celebration of praise and worship. Closer to the midnight hour, Fred McKinnon will lead the crowd in a time of prayer, reflection, and dedication and will encourage a short time of silence and reflection. Around 10 ’til … we’ll celebrate some more and prepare for the BIG COUNTDOWN - and we’ll ring in 2007 together.

Stay after 12:00 for more music, drinks, and celebration!

See u there!

What a glorious time we had both Friday and Saturday nights on Jekyll Island for Worship Under the Stars, 2006. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude at the support we received once again from the community, from sponsors, partners, volunteers … and of course, God Himself.

Just as He promised - He drew near to us as we drew near to Him.

It’s a beautiful thing to see the Body of Christ gather in unity for worship.

To those who served - know your reward is great in Heaven. Your crowns are being stacked up and you’ll need a golden wagon to pull them around - then again, we’ll just throw them at the feet of our Master.

For those who attended - thanks a million. It’s a huge honor to worship together with you. I hope you’ll click the “Comment” link at the bottom of this message and leave your reflections.

Finally, I’d like to invite you to continue in our worship together - I will be updating my own “worship podcast” shortly and hope to be more consistent in leading others in worship. Check it out at:
www.highestpraise.com/podcast

For the Kingdom,
Fred

It’s come to our attention that ITickets.Com has experienced issues with ticket availability the last 24 hours. We re-opened the event ticket sales until approximately 2:00 PM EST TODAY for both Friday and Saturday nights.

When we reopened the event, the LINKS on our tickets page were outdated - taking you to a page saying tickets were no longer on sale.

THIS HAS BEEN CORRECTED - Tickets are on sale until 2:00 PM @ ITickets.Com.

If you have ANY TROUBLE ordering tickets, please call ITickets.Com Toll-Free at:
1-800-520-0290

Please keep in mind that around 2:00 PM EST today (in about 2 hours), all online ticket sales will close. Local bookstore tickets will be picked up around 4:00 PM (maybe sooner), so this is the last change to get your seat for only $5.00. Tickets will be $10 at door.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! The Brunswick Bookstore had people waiting outside at 10:00 AM this morning when they opened for tickets - which over 200 sold out there. We just delivered more … people are ready to worship! ARE YOU?

WORSHIP UNDER THE STARS is TONIGHT!

Hope you caught our interview this morning on WayRadio - if not, you should be able to click the “play” button below and listen online:

“See you there”
Fred

It’s almost time! WOW - I didn’t sleep great last night because I’m so excited. What an incredible time we’ll all share on Friday and Saturday nights as we worship!

I’m closing up the office here and beginning to transport my “stuff” to Jekyll Island. The Technical crew has been working hard since Tuesday afternoon, and slowly yet surely, the Hartley Auditorium is being transformed into a glorious place for worship. Lighting trusses are erected, speakers flown, projectors set, generators parked, sound boards configured, lighting controls programmed, lyrics with motion backgrounds created … yep … lots of work!

Great Radio Interview this AM with WECC 89.3 at 7:15 .. hope some of you heard it, and we’ll have audio up shortly.

TUNE IN TOMORROW MORNING at 7:45 to WayRadio FM 90.7 for my interview with Bart Wagner!

BRUNSWICK NEWS: article on Worship Under the Stars should be in this afternoon’s paper - check it out!

We hope to have tickets out in the bookstores as late as 4:00 PM on Friday - so you should be able to still take advantage of advance tickets as long as they don’t SELL OUT. We will have tickets at the door if available.

See you there!
For the Kingdom,
Fred

This is short and sweet .. because “Worship Under the Stars” is UPON US!

Adam, our Technical Director from Las Vegas, NV is enroute now - pray for his safety!
Aaron, the TD Asst will be flying in tomorrow - pray for his safety!
Kim Dixon, one of our vocalists is on a staff retreat with “The Gathering Place” in Colorado. Pray for her safe return.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Especially for “Load In” and “Load Out”. Wednesday at 10:00 AM and Monday at 10:00 AM. The ability to carry things and follow simple instructions is ALL THAT IS REQUIRED! (and of course, having the work schedule that permits you to take that time off!).

Also, we need people to assist with TICKETS and USHERS/SECURITY. Basically, for ushers/security - we just need folks to stand at the doors before the official “open” to keep people from going through.

Wanna volunteer? Head to our Volunteer page and contact us if you have questions.

SPONSORS:

We’ve been blessed to have new sponsors over the weekend. Some aren’t even up on the website yet, but please keep checking our Sponsors page to thank them for all they’ve done. They are up on the Sponsors page - Ameris Bank, Golden Isles Parkway Church of God, Dr. Paul Thomson, S&S Realty, H&H, Christian Renewal Ministries (Brunswick) … more than I can even mention, PRAISE GOD.

TICKETS:
Tickets are starting to move quickly, so it’s advised to get your ticket ASAP!

RADIO:
Tune in this Thursday morning at 7:15 on WECC 89.3 FM for a live radio interview!

One last thing …. are you EXCITED YET?

For the Kingdom,
Fred