Brand New Start.

If you take a moment to look around and assess the state of our world and the health of the church, you would quickly see that we are in an age where secularism is dominating our churches. Legalism defines peoples relationship with God, and accepting Jesus in our lives is as casual as buying a shirt at Forever 21.Philosophy is dominating our schools and it has become more popular to read Pinterest and Instagram for spiritual advice, rather than opening the Bible.What is happening to our generation?This period of reflection didn’t just occur because I was momentarily captivated by a religious YouTube video. My reflection has come through a life changing experience that occurred over the past year.   This experience impacted me in a moment that devastated me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was so devastating, that I even stopped doing a lot of things I loved to do like playing guitar, leading worship, and recording music.I’m sure that many people can relate to experiencing something dramatic and life changing. But when this happened, it stopped me “dead in my tracks” and hit me at the core of my very faith system. It even brought me to a place of understanding of why the world, and even the church appears ill in our present day. When bad experiences occur in life, its normal to ask ourselves “why?” In my personal experience, I asked God,”Was it something I did? Or Was it my sin?” Often times, in the most awful moments, the enemy has a way of always, I mean ALWAYS reminding us of our sin. And I will be the first to admit that my spiritual life was rocked. The truth is that we all fall short of God’s glory. When we read the scriptures, we find that Jesus took every opportunity to remind his followers that everything in life happens with the intent to direct us to God. We experience the good and bad with the purpose that God would receive all the Glory and Honor in the end. So here I am one year later, I am so grateful to God to be able to proclaim that my faith is in tact, but definitely, still a “repair in progress” And now God has put in my heart this present question, “what am I going to do now?” This has been such a difficult question to reflect on because I know that I am far from perfect.  I feel that in many ways I fall so short of God’s expectations. I battle myself and my sin constantly; yet some how in this realization and through this experience, I feel closer to God.  I feel that God has a way of reaffirming our dependency in him– in just the way a loving Savior would. It has literally caused me to wade in a state of humility and lowliness. I find myself being very apprehensive when making life decisions because I don’t want to live autonomously anymore. I need God. I confess to needing him more than ever.  And I need his Saving Grace desperately. So first, I would like to ask for your prayerful support as we trust God in this brand new start for “Henry Martyn.” We know that we live in perilous times and that our generation and its faith is being challenged daily. I find that it is the perfect time in my life to re-evaluate my return to the expression of music as a means to share what God has done; not in perfection…but with “fear and trembling.” My heart is longing to return to that place of ministering the loving grace and saving power of God more than ever. I want people to know that God is bigger than ourselves, he’s bigger than our problems, and he’s bigger than our sin.  I just would like to say thank you to all those who prayed for me, and more importantly, those who have remained connected with us through the body of Christ. Remember, “Only one life, it soon will pass. But only what’s done for Christ will last.” In love, Mario Henry Martyn Band

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Premios Arpa November 18, 2012

As many of you may or may not know, this weekend, I had the privilege of participating in Los premios arpa in Mexico City. In the world of Spanish Christian music, this is a pretty prestigious event. This event celebrates “Christian music (in Spanish)” with some of the most well known artists such as Marcos Witt, Jesus Adrian Romero, Annette Moreno, and more. To be in the presence of so many talented people was surreal for me–because I never imagined myself or the band to ever arrive at this level of acknowlegement. You see, Henry Martyn began years ago with three guys (myself, Jose, and Sam) ministering in parks of rancho cucamonga, in the streets of Tijuana, and as far as the country of India–without ever considering the thought of recognition–but rather out of a pure love for worshipping God and seeing people come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. But On this night, after years of volunteer service to God, we were recognized internationally as one of the top Independent Bands by premios arpa for 2012. And although, we didn’t win the actual award, I experienced something amazing nonetheless.

I realized that the value of my life or the value of Henry Martyn as a band and ministry isn’t defined by any award, nor is it defined by how many “likes” we have on our Facebook bandpage. It is not defined by how many albums we sell on iTunes or whether or not we play at a home bible study or the Pepsi center in front of thousands of people in Mexico City. Rather, as I prepared to go to sleep, I layed my head on my pillow, and just began to pray and thank God for his grace and mercy over my life. I began to thank God for the opportunities we have had over the years, as a ministry to share the amazing message of hope and love to hundreds if not thousands of people. And I realized that the true value is found as we “decrease” and allow God to be the center and the focus in everything we do in our lives, and that the real reward is seeing peoples lives changed by the power of the gospel. I’m so grateful to have lived this experience, because everyone needs to feel validated at some point in their life. Everyone wants to feel that their life is purposeful. But the most amazing thing tonight is that this validation didn’t come from the recognition of an award–but rather the realization that Jesus loved me enough to die on the cross–for a pathetic sinner like me. I’m so grateful. And for that reason, so long as I have breath in my lungs–I will continue to praise Him with everything that I am. With or without a band–nothing will ever stop me from giving Glory and Honor to the King of Kings…to whom I am eternally indebted to for saving my life. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the band over the years and those who have prayed for us. Please continue to pray for my life and the future of our ministry.
May God continue to bless you.
In Christ and in love,
Mario Sanchez
Henry Martyn Band

Como muchos saben, este fin de semana tuve el privilegio participar en Los Premios Arpa en Mexico D.F. En el mundo de Musica Cristiana en Espanol, este es un evento prestigioso. Este evento celebra la musica Cristiana con unos de los mas conocidos artistas como Marcos Witt, Jesus Adrian Romero, Annette Moreno, y muchos mas. Al estar en la presencia de tanto talento fue algo surrealista para mi–porque nunca me imagine que yo o la banda llegaramos a este nivel de reconocimiento. Henry Martyn comenzo años pasados con 3 chavos (Yo, Jose y Sam) ministrando en parques de Rancho Cucamonga, en las calles de Tijuana, y a paises tan lejos como la India–sin nunca considerar el pensamiento de reconosimiento. Lo haciamos por un amor puro de alabar a Dios y ver a la gente llegar al conocimiento de Jesus. Pero esta noche, despues de años de ser voluntario en el servicio de Dios, fuimos reconocidos internacionalmente como uno de los mejores grupos independientes por los premios Arpa de 2012. Y aunque no ganamos el premio, experimente algo aun mas grande.

Me di cuenta que el valor de mi vida o el valor de Henry Martyn como banda y ministerio no es definido por ningun premio, ni es definido por cuantos “likes” tengamos en Facebook. No es definido por cuantos discos vendemos en iTunes o que toquemos en un estudio biblico en un hogar, o en el Pepsi Center en frente de miles de gente en Mexico D.F. Mas bien, mientras me preparaba para dormir, descanse mi cabeza en la almuada, y empeze a orar y dar le gracias a Dios por la oportunidad que hemos tenido durante los años, como un ministerio para compartir el maravilloso mensaje de esperanza y amor a cientos o miles de personas. Y reconocí que el valor verdadero se encuentra mientras dejamos que Dios sea el centro y enfoque de todo lo que hacemos en esta vida, y que el galardon verdadero es de ver vidas cambiadas por el poder del evangelio. Estoy agradecido de haber vivido esta experiencia porque todos necesitamos ser validado en cierto punto de la vida. Todos quieren sentir que su vida tiene proposito. Pero lo mas maravilloso de esta noche es que esta validacion no vino de el reconocimiento de un premio–vino de la realizacion que Jesus me amo tanto que murió en la cruz-por un pecador como yo. Estoy tan agradecido. Y por esta razon, mientras tenga respiro-Continuaré a alabar lo con todo lo que soy. Con o sin banda–nada me va parar de dar le Gloria y Honra al Rey de Reyes…. A quien eternamente estoy endeudado por salvar mi vida. Queiro dar le las gracias a todos los que han apoyado la banda por los años y a todos los que han orado por nosotros. Por favor sigue orando por mi vida y el futuro de nuestro ministerio.
Que Dios me lo bendiga.
En Cristo y en amor,
Mario Sanchez

2012 Single Release – “Grande Eres Tu”

We are excited to be releasing the first of three singles on iTunes for 2012.  Henry Martyn continues to work on new music and wanted to show some appreciation to our supporters.  God Bless You abundantly.  Be on the look out for the premiere of “Grande Eres Tu” music video!

If you not done so, go download our latest single today.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/grande-eres-tu-single/id557098796?uo=4

Nominated:: Best Independent Album of 2012

We are honored to be nominated by Premios Arpa in the category of Best Independent Album of 2012.  Please pray with us, that God takes us to the next level–in serving others through our ministry.

 

Get ready for HM in 2012

Now that the dust has settled from the rush of the New Year, we momentarily take our breath at the thought of what God has for Henry Martyn in 2012. I, personally, have always been a person of ambition–setting my goals and planning accordingly; and as believers, we cannot make the mistake of thinking that our lives are autonomous from God. For that reason, we’ve hit the ground running and trust that as we pray, God would continue to be the center of what we attempt to accomplish as a band and as a ministry this New Year. Please pray with us–that whatever we do, the sovereign hand of God is upon us, that we may be effective in our homes, communities, and “…to the ends of the earth.”

May God Bless You.

Happy New Year!

Photos courtesy of S8ved Photography