Ondria Durocher Witt: News

I was recently invited to join a team of writers in the DC-Metro area on Examiner.com. I have been asked to write several articles per week that relate to Christianity. Being asked to join this team has been a huge blessing to me. After moving to Maryland in August 2008, I felt like my world (and my involvement in it) was crashing down in front of me.

Being able to talk openly about my faith, the world wide church, and all aspects of worship are all part of what makes me who I am- a child of God who strives and yearns to serve Him all of my days on this earth. Writing is a wonderful way for me to share my faith and the love of Jesus Christ with others. Whether it's through an article, or through a song- I love to tell the story!

I thank all of you- my closest family and friends for your continued support of my music and writing. God has bestowed a wonderful blessing upon me in knowing each and every one of you.

As a lead worshiper, Ondria Witt has been asked to share her knowledge of leading worship, writing worship songs, and building worship teams. In July 2008, she was asked to customize a workshop for the worship leaders of her home church in Salisbury, NC.

Ondria speaks breifly about this workshop:
"I will be leading this workshop/training session (with some help!) because I was asked to share what I learned from my attendance of the Hillsong worship leading conference back in early June. I am so excited to share what I've learned with you. I've also been leading worship for a few years now, not only at Center Celebration, but at other area churches, as well. I spend a lot of time during the week examining worship, and really (actually) studying worship leading. I'm also currently working toward an Associates Degree in Worship Arts. I am so passionate about worship and effective worship leading!

This workshop is designed for those who have been leading worship on a recurring basis, and for those who might like to learn more about worship leading and/or give it a shot for the first time. It is also open to Musician or Praise Teams, because as song leaders, they are also leading worship. Their actions and enthusiasm are a key part of our worship experience.

If you have any questions, or certain areas you'd like me to touch on during the workshop, please e-mail me or call me at 704-798-2413. Two hours isn't a lot of time to cover everything, but I'd really like to focus on areas that are important to all of you!

We will have printed materials available at the workshop for you to take home and use throughout your worship leading. We're also working on ordering some resources (books and DVDs) to have available to our worship leaders as they prepare for their assigned weeks. I feel very strongly about having resources available for all of us!

I look forward to spending this time with you and sharing my knowledge of worship leading. We will have drinks and snacks available for you during the workshop! There is no cost to attend this workshop. Please bring an open heart and mind!"

Let Ondria tailor a workshop just for your team! Ondria will be moving to the Washington DC area in mid-July and is ready to explore worship outside of her home. If you are a church in the DC area, and would be interested in holding a workshop for your worship team, contact Ondria at:
E-mail- oduro1983@yahoo.com or
ondria@ondmusic.com.
Phone- 704-798-2413

For workshop inquiries in North and South Carolina, please contact Rob Durocher at rob@stjohns-salisbury.org.

Bible Book Store
Salisbury, NC 28144

Keith's CD's & Tapes Burlington NC 27215

B.B.'s New & Used Compact Disc Greensboro NC 27410

School Kids Records Cary NC 27511

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School Kids Records Chapel Hill NC 27514

CD Alley Chapel Hill NC 27516

CD Warehouse Goldsboro NC 27534

Nits Nats Music Henderson NC 27536

Big Katt Tapes & Cd's Henderson NC 27536

Currency Records Oxford NC 27565

Big Kat Records Raleigh NC 27604

School Kids Records Raleigh NC 27607

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OffBeat Music Durham NC 27701

CD Alley Greenville NC 27858

East Coast Music & Video Greenville NC 27858

Surf Sound Records Nags Head NC 27959

Ears of Elegance Monroe NC 28110

Lunchbox Records Charlotte NC 28205

Record Exchange of Roanoke Charlotte NC 28211

Joseph-Beth Booksellers Charlotte NC 28211

Latin Music Max Inc. Charlotte NC 28217

Paradise Records Fayetteville NC 28303

Musik Hut Fayetteville NC 28303

Manifest Wilmington NC 28403

Music Plus Shallotte NC 28459

Eddie's CD's Wallace NC 28466

Bottoms Up Whiteville NC 28472

Steven's Cave Whiteville NC 28472

All About Music Jacksonville NC 28546

Wolf Tracks Hickory NC 28602

Grapevine Music Boone NC 28607

Hulle's Records Catawba NC 28609

Tape Town Morganton NC 28655

Rez Records Cherokee NC 28719

In Your Ear Sylva NC 28779

Music Box Waynesville NC 28786

In Your Ear Music Ashville NC 28806

~Extravagant Worship~
What does it mean to be an Extravagant Worshiper? In this session, we examine prayer and meditation, explosive praise, devotion and committment, expecting the unexpected and what the Word has to do with it all.

~Live Like a "Jesus Freak"~
We say we're Christians, but do we really LIVE like Christians? In this heartfelt session we'll discuss the life of Jesus Christ, and ask the Lord to show us how to love others like He has loved us.

~It's In the Serve~
We are born to serve, and have so many God-given gifts to help us do so! Let us help you realize your gifts and how to use them in serving your Creator!

~Lessons from a Lyricist~
In this session, Ondria will discuss her role as a songwriter, and where she draws inspiration for the words that flood her burning heart. Think songwriting isn't for you? Think again! If you hear words from above, go for that pen!

~Thy Word is More than Words~
It's so hard to try to figure out what the bible really means sometimes. Is it this or that or set in stone? Are these examples and stories...and are we even SUPPOSED to really understand them? In this session we'll offer helpful hints in studying the bible, why studying is so important, and why the Word of God means so much more than words on a page.

~Bad Girls of the Bible~
Oh, those bad girls! Let's take a good look at what makes these girls tick and what we can learn from their mistakes. Based on the best selling series by Liz Curtis Higgs.


~Not Ashamed of the Gospel~
Why are we so afraid to speak the name of God in public? Learn how to share the Gospel in a subtle way that's pleasing to the Prince of Peace.

~Building Up Your Praise Team~
This workshop is designed for existing praise and worship teams. Feel like you're in a lull? Need some new music? New ideas? Need help generating discussion about your own ministry needs and goals for the future? Let Rob Durocher (Director of Music Ministries for St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC and director of the contemporary group- The Center Celebration Musicians) and worship leader Ondria Witt share their music and their ideas with you! Rob has attended the Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia and met with the writers of the Hillsong praise team.

~Contemporary Worship~
What is contemporary worship? Is it for our church? How can we blend it with our traditional services? Wonderful questions answered by Rob Durocher and Ondria Witt in this tell all session on what contemporary worship is all about.

~Technology and Media in Worship~
Wanting to use media in your worship services but don't know where to start? Here, we'll share some basic ideas to get you going!

~God of Wonders: All that You Love About the Mystery~
Who and what is God and how do we know He's there? Let's explore together!

~Worship Leading for Today's Generation~
In order to be an effective worship leader, you must first and foremost be a worshiper! Let Ondria Witt share her worship leading experiences with you- the joys, the fears, the embarassments, and the praise! If you've been thinking about becoming involved in contemporary worship leading, this is for you!

Know My Redeemer Lives!
by Ondria Witt

Lent has always been a hard season for me to get through. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, where I am reminded that I am dust, and will return to dust, I mull through Lent…longing for Easter Sunday to come. The Lenten season has always seemed so dreary to me, although I have always been able to appreciate why we observe Lent. And so I give up something of my choice for the 40 days and nights of this liturgical season, remembering that my giving up soda in no way compares to Jesus’ wandering and being tempted in the wilderness. I pray, sometimes quite selfishly that the Lord will restore order to my seemingly crazy life, instead of praying for hope, strength, wisdom and what I need most often- humility. I grudge when out to lunch or dinner, wanting to order that tasty, refreshing Coke, forgetting why I even gave it up in the first place.

Holy week is usually a very emotional time for me. It begins as early as Maundy Thursday. We gather together for an evening service, remembering what took place so long ago. When we commune, throughout the year, do you remember the Last Supper, and its significance? "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. This is my blood, shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

When the nails are driven into the cross on Good Friday, do you feel that "Pow! Pow! Pow!" being driven into your heart? Golly, I sure do. Do you feel haunted as the cantor sings "Were You There?" When I hear the words "It is finished!" I cannot help but let my tears flow.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus was a man. A man sent by our Holy Father to save us. Jesus literally shed his blood for us, and he literally breathed his last breath, hanging on a cross! He died for us!

When we sing the words "Amazing love, how can it be that You my King would die for me?" are those words more than just a song to you? They are to me. I devote my life to serving the Lord because of what he has done for me! It is so amazing that a man would endure so much pain to save little insignificant me. But I am not insignificant in God’s eyes, and neither are you. We matter big time to Him!

Friends, the emotional, almost gut-wrenching story does not end with Jesus dying on the cross. Three days later, he rose from the grave, disappeared from the tomb. The stone was rolled away! "The tomb is EMPTY!" Yes, friends…the tomb is empty, indeed. Jesus lives on in our lives, in our hearts. I carry this with me, always. Every Sunday, I am reminded of what the Lord has done for us, and it stays with me. In a few days, when Easter is finally here, stand up and rejoice! Your Redeemer lives! We are redeemed, and are called to SAY SO! Our chains are gone, friends. We’ve been set free.

"I’m not ashamed of the gospel, Lord.
Your power and your love that saved my soul.
Now I’m alive in You. I LIVE IN THE RISEN SON!"

These words stay with me friends, which is why I've been led to call my worship and music ministry: Live in the Son Ministries. It's easy to lend support to this cause- simply visit my website at www.ondmusic.com. All profits from Songs Along the Way album sales go to fund our ministry efforts, which include traveling to share the Gospel through scripture, teaching, story and song!

While visiting www.ondmusic.com, please take a moment to sign our guestbook- and PLEASE (if you feel comfortable in doing this) share your prayer concerns so that I may pray for you. Please also share your praise stories with us so that we may join in praising God for the wonderful things he has done in your life!

We have just received new postcards to share information about this ministry with others. If you would like one for yourself, or to share with others, please let me know and I'll gladly get some to you.



We are also in the process of designing "Live in the Son Ministries" t-shirts and hats, whose profits will go directly to supporting this ministry. We hope to have these items available soon.



My hope and prayer is to build a ministry team that caters to all peoples and their interests, and works toward helping others to build or strengthen their relationships with the Lord. If you would like to be a part of Live in the Son Ministries by sharing your faith and God-given gifts with others, please contact me.

OUR REDEEMER LIVES! HAPPY EASTER!

Peace, Love and Blessings,

Ondria Durocher Witt

Songs Along the Way’s track “Amazing” has been used in worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and First Presbyterian Church, both of Salisbury, NC. Sheet music is available for use and purchase through Rob Durocher. It is a one time purchase for one copy, which may be copied and used for worship purposes only.

Songs Along the Way is available through Ondria Witt, Derek Sjoblom or Rob Durocher for just $10.00! You’ll enjoy nine beautiful original worship songs again and again.

Songs Along the Way is also available for purchase or download online at www.cdbaby.com or www.itunes.com. The number one download from Songs Along the Way on i Tunes has been “The Lord’s Prayer.”

“Amazing” has also been submitted within recent weeks to local Christian radio station- New Life 91.9 fm. The music is being reviewed by the station staff, and we pray that it’ll hit the airwaves within the coming months so our message of hope and Christian love can reach thousands of people every day!

As Ondria continues to grow as a worship leader with direction from Rob Durocher, they as a team offer workshops for other church worship leaders and praise teams. If you are looking to take worship to a new level, please consider having Rob and Ondria to your church for a workshop which covers everything from the latest contemporary praise and worship music, to presence as a worship leader and connecting your message to the music and your assembly.

Ondria is also available to lead special worship services and offer programs of special music. She is currently booking dates for the spring and summer of 2008.

To learn more about Ondria’s ministry, please visit www.ondmusic.com.

If you are without a local church home, please consider joining us for worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church. To learn more about the ministry of St. John’s, please visit www.stjohns-salisbury.org. To learn more about our contemporary worship service- Center Celebration, please visit www.centercelebration.org.

Just in time for the holidays...Songs Along the Way will make the perfect stocking stuffer for your friends and loved ones this season! There's no better gift than sharing the Gospel with those around you. Songs Along the Way is available NOW through directly through Ondria or on CD Baby. Visit our products page to link to CD Baby for an online purchase of this personal testimony of how God's endless love and mercy changed the life of a young Christian woman forever.

Ondria Durocher (soon to be Ondria Durocher Witt) is now booking dates for 2008. Since Ondria began her ministry three years ago, she has been leading worship events/services through out the local area. Ondria gives all praise and glory to God for being provided with these opportunities to share the good news of Christ's love for us. Ondria wants to share her words and songs of praise and worship with YOU! If you are interested in having Ondria lead one of your worship services, please contact her via our contact page on this site. Ondria also offers special music for church services, weddings, funerals, baptisms, banquets and special events.

Ondria Durocher is part of a vibrant worship-leading team for the contemporary Center Celebration Service of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. When Ondria isn't serving as worship leader, she is a song leader among many of the Center Celebration Musicians Group. The group of about 30 musicians (singers and instrumentalists) range in age, but are all filled by the Holy Spirit, and it shines through and through! This group uses popular contemporary Christian music by artists like Michael W. Smith, Nicole C. Mullen, Chris Tomlin, Newsboys, DC Talk, Joy Williams, Twila Paris, Amy Grant, Hillsong, Don Moen, Paul Baloache, Jars of Clay, and more- including worship songs written by Ondria and Robert Durocher. If you are without a church home, please consider St. John's and Center Celebration.