SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

GRACE RESTORATION FELLOWSHIP 

in Lakeland, Florida

presents

An Evening with 

SHAWN THOMAS

You are invited to join us at

CELEBRATION LIFE!

in honor of the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of HIV
 

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2011

@ 6:00pm

located at

Universalist Unitarian Church
3140 Troy Avenue, Lakeland, FL  33803

A "LOVE OFFERING" will be accepted that evening for Shawn Thomas.

See Shawn Thomas perform on YouTube with these LINKS:

1) THE OTHER SIDE (Psalm 121)

2) THE CHRIST IN YOU

3) FAITH UNASHAMED

ABOUT SHAWN THOMAS...
Shawn Aaron Thomas is an "out and affirming" (openly gay) contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, worship leader, and recording artist. He is also owner/operator of "Shawn Thomas Studios" in West Palm Beach, FL providing audio recording, production, and mastering services to independent artists, songwriters, and bands. He is a member in good standing of the Grammy Recording Academy.

Shawn grew up in small town Indiana as a preacher's kid singing in church as well as local theater and school productions. Although he graduated from college with a degree in music and recording, it took over 10 years before that training and education would later become his career.

His full-time ministry began in 2003 with the release of his first religious CD/album called, "Everything I Am," followed by the 2005 CD release, "Changed." To keep up with full time travel, Shawn sold most everything he had and moved into a 35ft RV/motorhome with a small car in tow and a 13 year old canine navigator named Snickers. The CD/album, "Faith Unashamed" (released in 2006) was entirely recorded and produced in the RV's mobile recording studio while parked in various church and Wal-mart parking lots, KOA's, and a few back yards. As touring continued, his ministry expanded to include workshop presentations featuring training on topics such as liturgical dance and reading music. The publishing company he had established years ago for his own works also expanded in concept to now encompass all of his work in music ministry and touring; thus, "Aaron's Rainbow Project" (named after his original birth name and now his middle name) became "The Ministry of ARP".

After two years of living and travelling full time in the motor-home, Shawn accepted a part-time position as a music minister at a church in West Palm Beach, FL. He continued visiting churches nation-wide by flying to each location while still remaining in West Palm on some Sundays to help in leading worship. The experience and feeling of being back in worship at a semi-regular location impressed on Shawn the importance and power of music in the worship setting, rather than just in concert or performance. In 2008, the praise and worship CD, "Worship & Desperation" was released with the intention of being used as a resource for churches, including a songbook, accompaniment tracks, and multi-media. "Worship & Desperation" also contains what Shawn confesses to be his favorite song that he has written: "The Christ in You".

Shawn met his partner, Brian Ladd, at the church in West Palm Beach, and they continue to live in that area with their 4 yr. old pug named "Zoe'". In January 2009, Shawn returned to full-time touring, and though he misses Brian and "Zoe'" on the 2-4 days he travels each week, he is sometimes blessed to have Brian travel with him to minister in song and message. Brian and Shawn were both recognized by MCC of the Palm Beaches in 2009 with community service awards. Brian received "The Cherish Award" for his leadership in ministry, and Shawn was presented the "Ruby Slipper Award" in recognition of his work as an "out" contemporary Christian artist.

Shawn's newest release is a compilation CD. "Revisited Vol. 2" spans10 years of music (5 CD/albums) and celebrates the 10 year anniversary of Shawn's first CD as an "out" artist which was called, "Out in this World."

In recent months, Shawn began a new part of his ministry by publishing the book, "Unashamed (Coming Out of the Second Closet)". The book is a perspective given from a gay Christian man who often holds politically conservative views and how such an identity is sometimes marginalized by the GLBT community.

With a minister as his father and a talented musician as his mother, Shawn's ministry through ARP is the natural combination of his musical and spiritual influences. A four time Pride in the Arts Awards recipient from The Stonewall Society and fourteen time nominee, Shawn Thomas emerges not only as a competent performer and singer, but as a dynamic and versatile worship leader and presenter. His intention is to share the message of God's of Love and Grace through music in order to build unity, understanding, and acceptance while still encouraging personal responsibility, self-reliance, and the development of conviction and values.


Check out   SHAWN THOMAS on his website and the   MINISTRY of ARP.

Our Partners for this Very Special Concert: