The Refuge, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

When I suspend judgment and allow the best intentions of the people to be heard through the collective songwriting process, a power far greater than “I” takes hold.

A song has the potential to open up ones heart to love, so often concealed within the ‘busy’ world in which we live.

To honor is to listen. This is what I try to do when I sit down with a guitar, laptop computer, magic markers, and large sheets of flip chart paper and ask a room full of people what’s on their mind. As they speak, I let go of judgment, and write down everything they say. After they speak, I read back everything I wrote down and ask, “Did I get it right?” If they say, “Yes!” we move onto the next person. Within a short period of time we have the thoughts of everyone in the room written down on one large document, which we collectively distill into a song.

I’ve written over a thousand songs with people of many faiths, cultures, and complexions from around the world and close to home using this process.

Last week in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota I worked with those who live and work in a ‘faith-based’ homeless shelter called The Refuge.

Out of which, a song was born. These are some of their thoughts, followed by their song entitled, We Are The Refuge.

“The Refuge serves 30,000 meals a year. We feed guys from jails, guys from the streets. We have Thursday through Saturday night suppers.”

“We deal with anything and everything. Those who are at the end of their rope and in need of help.”

“People come in and we give them bread. We give them a place to stay.”

“We have a Compassion House. We deal with women on the back end of domestics. Hurting and needing help.”

“Those (who struggle) mentally and (with) alcohol and meth. You name it and we deal with it. We help them look for a job, (give them) transitional housing. We help them get on their right foot.”

“They’ve pointed me in a positive direction. They’ve given me a vision to grow in fellowship, as Christians. To get my life moving forward once and for all through Jesus, so guys like me don’t stumble or fall.

“(We) can always come back. (We) have friends here.”

“I’ve been through treatment twice. I grew up in a Christian home. Trying to reconnect and reunite (with) my faith.”

“The book of Job is my favorite. Job didn’t feel like he should be punished the way he was. He couldn’t understand why he was punished. He came out a stronger person of faith and wealthier because of it. God can show us power through hard times and good times.”

“He has a purpose. He has a plan. He is the reason for why we stand.”

“We have hope in the future.”

“Feed the hungry.”

We’re The Refuge

Vision to grow in fellowship with Jesus

So guys like me don’t stumble or fall

We are here for a reason

Each of us we have been called