Miguel teaches guitar, vihuela and guitarron to a group of young musicians

Adelante Ministries of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) has been dedicated to investing into those interested in learning music, teaching instruments, voice, and reading music along with helping faith grow and developing servant hearts for God.

In August, Adelante Ministries partnered with Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, TX to host a three-day music camp for children and teenagers. These budding musicians were introduced to several different instruments –trumpet, guitar, vihuela, violin, and guitarron among them. Zion’s organist gave a presentation on organ techniques, as well as hand bells. On Sunday, the children and teenagers who attended Zion’s Music Camp joined their congregation in worship, singing praise during the offering as Mariachi San Pablo accompanied them.

Violin was one of the instruments offered at the Zion Music Camp and is taught on Saturdays

Music classes began in September, instructors for trumpet, violin, guitar, guitarron, and vihuela ready to impart their knowledge and love for music. Tuesdays, children learn to play trumpet, vihuela, guitar, and guitarron, and on Saturdays, two young girls are taking violin lessons.

“My daughter has been wanting to learn an instrument for several years now,” ten-year old Miranda’s mother shared, “She’s taking violin lessons, and it is a blessing to me that she is learning more than making music –she’s learning to serve God through music.”

For those who are teaching, Adelante Ministries has been a part of their own growth as musicians. Rev. Stephen Heimer, senior pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and co-founder of Mariachi San Pablo, is working with one trumpet student, teaching them the basics to build their musical skills on. Meanwhile, Miguel Munoz, Director of Adelante Ministries and Mariachi San Pablo, is teaching guitar, guitarron, and vihuela, with his youngest student at nine years old.

Mariachi San Pablo rehearses weekly in preparation of upcoming performances

Teaching these young musicians the fundamentals of music and their instrument in not the only focus for Adelante Ministries. Alongside churches seeking to use music for outreach purposes, Adelante Ministries works diligently and joyfully towards bringing the Gospel to the unchurched and cultivating leadership within the church through music.

Mariachi San Pablo is preparing for the next out-of-town event on their schedule, rehearsing on Tuesdays after their music students are done with their lessons. The first weekend of October will have Mariachi San Pablo flying up to Colorado, where they were invited by Our Father Lutheran Church to celebrate Oktoberfest with them. There are also other events coming up in the next few months, giving these young musicians opportunities to present what they’re learning.

“In time, we are wanting to incorporate our new music students into the Mariachi,” Miguel shared during the week’s staff meeting with a smile, “It’ll be a slow process, but in the end, that’s what we are dedicated to doing -cultivating musicians so they can grow and lead within their churches and communities.”

As these young musicians learn and grow, it will be a blessing to everyone to see how, no matter the age, we are called to praise God in song and deed.

“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation!” ~Psalm 95:1