May 23
Awana Closing Concert
Manhatta Beach, CA

6/24/01 - Hi. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope your summer is going well. Well, I'm writing to let you know how our latest summer tour is going. So far, it has been absolutely awesome. God has been working in an incredible way. All glory and honor are His. Our first official event was the kids camp for Trinity Baptist and Valley Ranch Baptist Churches in the Dallas area. The event was incredible. Ariana and I led worship for the weekend camp and Jeff Dane was the speaker. It was a powerful event and many kids made a decision for Christ. Praise God! We also issued our first summer challenge for kids to read the Word and pray daily. A number of kids took the challenge. If you are a kid and you want to take the challenge, email me at bill@mrbillsworld.com. Following that event, did an in-class concert for the kids at Christian School in Westchester, California. It was brief but a total blessing. A sang with Mark and Sara Lavallo - two people who sang on the When I Grow Up album. After that, we went to Canyon View Christian Fellowship in San Diego (our second visit) for a special kids concert that resulted in over 20 children coming forth with decisions for Christ. Praise the Lord! Check out the photos at http://www.cvcf.com. After a short family vacation in the Sierras, we ministered at Calvary Community Church in Westlake for a dynamic Father's Day concert. It was the first event of its kind for Calvary but had a tremendous response and some very touching family encounters. And most recently, I returned from Florida with the band after a VBS wrap-up concert for South Biscayne Baptist in North Port. Over 25 kids came forth for Jesus. It was awesome! Well, sorry to be so brief but I'm off to our next event -- a kids camp for Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. I'll let you know how it goes and will update this page as soon as I get a chance. God bless and don't forget -- KEEP JESUS FIRST!

7/1/01 - Hi. here's another quick update. God has been working in a powerful and awesome way. This summer is definitely turning out to be the most incredible yet. We just completed leading worship for a kid's camp at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa's camp facility near Lake Arrowhead, California. The week's theme was taken from 1 John 4:9-10, where it says, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." A tremendous outpouring of the Spirit resulted in 60 plus kids coming forward to accept Christ for the first time. It was an incredible week. At one point, when we were leading worship at an outdoor amphitheatre at the camp, and after singing the song "Big Bad Wolf," I was talking to the kids about the opposition the Mister Bill ministry encounters all the time because the enemy doesn't want to see children come to Jesus. Before I could finish the story a very large black bear came out of the forest and moved toward the kids. They all screamed and started to run but someone from the camp ended up chased after it in a truck. And, although the kids were really shaken up, I think my point was well made. The next night, in the indoor chapel, we had another interuption. This time it was in the form of a mouse running along the rafters -- not quite as scary but what a contrast. Nonetheless, when the last night came, and a huge wave of kids came forward to accept Jesus, everything fell together and we all rejoiced with the angels n heaven. Great things are happening and more is ahead. Stay tuned.

7/08/01 - The Lord's blessings have been awesome as we move into full swing with our sumer tour. Most recently, we did a special "Birthday Concert" for the kids at Royal Family Kids Camp in Vista, California. We were blessed tremendously and moved emotionally at this very special camp for abused and neglected kids, hosted by my home church - Kings Harbor in Redondo Beach, California. These beautiful kids were energetic and enthusiastic during our entire concert. At one point, the whole group got up on their feet and formed a dancing chain of kids and counselors to the tune of Pharoah, Pharoah. It was a blast! I know my words are insufficient to express just how much these kids touched me. When I see God's most precious creations and think of how they have been ignored and or mistreated, it tears me up. These kids a valuable and precious gift of God. Thank you Lord for blessing our planet with these treasures -- and for the awesome volunteers who helped make this camp happen.

7/15/01 - This week started with a dynamic, upbeat and spirit-filled concert for kids at the Anaheim Vineyard's pastors conference, and wrapped up with a swing through the state of Minnesota, including five performances at the 4-day Sonshine Music Festival in Willmar, MN. This was our first concert tour in Minnesota and it was awesome! What a great state! Dan Oie and the team at Calvary Lutheran were extremely helpful and hospitable. We started with a special concert for a music class he teaches, followed by an outdoor service at the church's park amphitheatre. The next day, the Sunshine Festival and Bob Poe were also a true blessing. I was impressed from the moment I arrived when they handed me the festival info packet and began in prayer. I thought, "This is the right way to start a relatrionship!" The five concerts that followed were very special, not to mention the new friend we made with Rachel Lampa. Moving on to Duluth, we made new friends with Bill & Dolly Schnell and stayed in their beautiful, lovely home. Thank you. The final concert we held in Duluth was supposed to be and outdoor outreach in the park. Unfortunately, it was rained out and we had to hold the concert indoors at First Lutheran. It was still a blessing.

7/22/01 - This week I led worship every morning at Hope Chapel's VBS. It was a blast and the kids and leaders were wonderful. One of the week's highlights was a special concert taping for a new Mister Bill Live Concert Video. It turned out well, except for a broken string at the end of the concert. The video should be available by Fall. Check the Mister Bill web site for details.

7/29/01 - This week was packed with activity. Hopping on a plane from L.A. to Houston Saturday morning, Ariana, Alyssa and I flew out to Houston First Baptist's kids camp to lead worship. The girls joined the camp and made a lot of great friends. This was another awesome experience. (Check out the photos) I tag-teamed with the camp pastor, James Clark, senior pastor or Park Place Baptist Church to lead worship each day. Around 50 kids came forward for commitments during the week. We also met some great folks that really touched our hearts. A special thanks to the Ashdowns, Longs and the Pitts. On Wednesday, we flew from Houston back to L.A. to hop in a 15-passenger van for Spirit West Coast. Our third year at Spirit West Coast was another blessing and a very special event.