I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though times are very serious, we know God is in control. I hope you are resting under His shadow.
Our history has been rich. I have been serving in ministry for over nineteen years. Matranga Ministries Inc. was founded in 1983 primarily as a music and evangelistic outreach. Four distinct areas comprised the ministry at that time: HEART OF THE ARTS Music Ministries, COMMANDO Street Crusades and Outreaches, MATRANGA MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL, and THE SHEPHERD’S DOOR CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER.
A common thread began to emerge and always wove its way through every area of ministry – the message of righteousness. This theme became our identity – “Calling hearts to righteousness through music and the prophetic word.” Our purpose is to bring renewal to the heart of the Christian by calling them back to holiness. Our desire is to see the Body of Christ set free to change this generation.
We have made the decision to unite our call and our message under one banner: Heart of the Arts Evangelistic Association. We will be making the transition from Matranga Ministries Int’l Inc. to Heart of the Arts Evangelistic Association very soon. We look forward to sharing more with you in the near future. Please see our new web-site at www.HeartOfThe Arts.org.
Through the course of this ministry it has always been our aim to be a gift and a resource to you. We do it best by walking in what God has mandated for us – “Making His principles the music of our lives.” Psalm 119:54 NLT What we have done together through this ministry has been fruitful. Following is our Notes From The Heart Spring 2002 Update.
We praise God for our friends who came through for us in our time of need and helped us to take another step towards our financial goal.
Spring 2002 Update – Mardi Gras Outreach By Tammie Matranga
Ihad many questions running through my mind as to what this year’s Mardi Gras would hold, especially in light of the September 11th disaster. How big would the crowd be? What would people’s response be to the Gospel? Would I have the privilege of helping someone pray the sinner’s prayer of salvation? What would people’s hearts be like given all our country had been through? Most of my questions were answered – but I did not like the answers! An elderly couple that was approached said, “We’re “too old” for that kind of “stuff””. A young cocky male in his twenties says, “Ya know, there is counseling for religious addiction.” A homosexual that I spoke with said, “I have a relationship with God, she and I are close.” A young, intoxicated woman told me her husband was a pastor – she said this hanging on to and kissing someone who obviously was not her husband. Some of the other comments I heard are just too vulgar to put on paper.
As I stood on the street corner preaching and watched all that was going on – sobered by the attack on 9-11 – my heart grieved and the Spirit of God in me grieved. People were partying as though there was no tomorrow and no responsibilities in that “tomorrow”.
I would like to leave you with the following thoughts. We were offering the people the Gospel in a non-condemning way. However, the preaching of the Gospel is confrontational. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! As I think of the opportunity we were giving people, the gift of eternal life and how it was rejected, only confirms the word of God in Matthew 7: 13-14, “Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” If anything, I can be encouraged by the privilege I have been given to carry the gift in me: The Spirit of the living God, full of grace, forgiveness and love. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!
The First Gathering of Prophetic Voices By George J. Matranga
Recently we held our first gathering of prophetic voices. “Let the prophets speak.” I Cor. 14:29 In the course of our ministry, I have attended Pastor’s meetings for the purpose of fellowship, accountability, and encouragement. Our desire was to provide the same safe-haven for those with a prophetic mantle and those who hunger for the true prophetic.
I strongly believe that the current event of our nation and world has occasioned the need for us to come together and share our hearts. “All these men understood the temper of the times.” I Ch. 12:32 From the reports that I received, I believe that mission was accomplished. Our breaking bread together was a timely event as well as prophetic in itself. The ripple effect of our gathering has spilled over into our lives and through our ministries. Guests included: Dindo Caporal, John Elliott, Larry Campanello, Curt Williams, Rick Torrison, Paul Simeraro, and Andrei Pascual.
In regards to the meeting with other prophetic voices, I would like to say that I believe it was a beginning of the lifting of the standards of righteousness and holiness…There was a loosing of truth and unity that pulled down the lie of complacency and apathy that has inundated America as well as the Church.
Pastor Paul Simeraro, Steubenville, Ohio
Heart of the Arts School of Music Ministry “Aiming at the Heart of the Artist”
Early in ministry, George Matranga recognized a lack of consecration within the ranks of the Christian Music ministry and industry. Heart of the Arts was birthed from a revelation of Matthew 23:19, “Ye fools and blind; for what is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift.” From this scripture came the prophetic word that launched this ministry. “When the heart of the artist is consecrated to the Lord, then his gift will be sanctified for the use of the Lord.”
In recent years, there has been a revival of true worship, yet there remains the lack of consecration of character of the worshipper. There is a hunger for the pure discipleship of artists in the body of Christ. To meet this need, we have begun the foundational process of The Heart of the Arts School of Music Ministry. As a music minister as well as a shepherd, Matranga desires to bring artists to the altar of consecration – to make them truly useful for the work of the kingdom.
This school will be a “school of the cross” to challenge and develop Christ-like character by those who understand who they are and how they operate. The outcome is to infect others with holiness; to support pastors in areas they may not be equipped to handle, and to sanctify the gift of the artist to the fullest extent. If you hunger and thirst for righteousness and discipleship – as well as artistic skill – then this ministry is for you. Details will be available soon.
Men & Boys Weekend Retreat By Kim Anderson
Being a single mom, I greatly desire a Godly male influence in my sons lives. Coincidentally, Pastor George dreamed of sharing and teaching boys Godly male character. On a long weekend in March my sons, went to the country with their “Uncle George”, board member Donald Sexton, and new “staffer” Larry Perrott. My boys saw Godly men in action. They learned Godly men don’t just recognize God on Sundays – they spend time with Him daily. They had a chance to do for themselves without mom or grandma doing for them. They had good, clean, sweat-drippin’ fun. This retreat with the men will be something my boys never forget. Just a few days in time deposited riches they will carry with them forever.