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Welcome!!

Thank you for your interest in partnering with me and possibly the band for your event or church service.  If you have not yet read my Bio (About Page) and Testimonial pages, they are available on
this site to help you better understand the ministry and the many ways that God is using it in the
lives of others.

I consider the call to serve Christ in this unique way a privilege.  My words, songs and worship
are an overflow of the love and grace He has shown me.  It is exciting to see lives changed and
hearts turned toward Jesus.  1 Peter 2:9 brings wonderful clarity to my charge in Christ, "You
have been saved to proclaim the excellence of Him who brought us out of darkness into His
marvelous light." (ESV Paraphrased)

As we share our thoughts and insights concerning an event or service, along with you, I will
commit the event to prayer, and then according to God's leading, will customize the music
selections and subject matter to align with your theme.

To better acquaint you with some of the booking/scheduling particulars, this page is provided
to help answer as many questions as possible.  

I can provide any combination of the following: Worship, Special Music, Testimony or Testimony
combined with a specific topic.  Keynote and Retreat options are outlined below.

Events where I am most frequently called to serve

       ~ Worship Services
       ~ Women's Events such as Teas, Dessert Events, Retreats, Girl's Night Out and Christmas Galas, 
           Music is often combined with Keynote presentation.
       ~ Christian Country Concerts & Festivals such as 4th of July Celebrations, Summer Picnics and Fall
           Festivals 
       ~ Marriage Events and Retreats
       ~ College and University Chapels
       ~ Banquets and Fundraisers
       ~ Outreaches

Band Options

       ~ Mary with full band (5-7 pieces)
       ~ Mary with acoustic band (guitars only)
       ~ Mary (alone with tracks)

Fee Requirements

       ~ Negotiable - We make every effort to work within the budgetary guidelines of the
           church/organization (Band size can be modified to meet budget needs)
       ~ Love Offerings are acceptable, but travel, lodging and meals must be included for an
           out of town event

Miscellaneous Requests

       ~ One product table, in a visible area, with an electrical outlet nearby
       ~ Meal(s) at event site after sound check
       ~ Artist Event Agreement is available on request

Stage Requirements

We offer several stage plots that provide our preferred stage layout and sound preferences. 
Upon request these can be e-mailed to you or your sound technician.

Promotional Materials

Photos: High resolution images are available on the gallery page of the website or Click Here.

Flyers: We currently have two flyers that can be used to promote a concert or special event. 
Once the event has been confirmed, we will send the flyer to the Pastor or Ministry Leader upon
request.

Event Booking

To schedule Mary for your next ministry event, please contact:

Booking@mary-james.com or call Eileen Oberholtzer @ (619)733-2184 or Dan Barker at (619)322-9017

Speaking Topics

Mary weaves her testimony and music throughout all of her keynote and retreat topics. 
A brief outline of her story is below.

From dark beginnings to new life

Born to a teenager who was not prepared to be a parent, Mary was given up for adoption to a
minister and his wife.  Sadly, her adoptive mother suffered from alcoholism and then died of
cancer when Mary was only 13.  These and other circumstances fostered many insecurities. 
Mary remembers always feeling unwanted, unloved and unaccepted.  As a teenager, she
literally gave up on herself, turned to drugs and alcohol to numb her pain, and at age 16 chose
life as a teenage runaway.  She had no concept of what it meant to be loved and cherished
unconditionally.  But at 21, that all began to change.  Today, with Jesus Christ as her Lord
and Savior, Mary has a new life, a new love and a new song. 

"The Real Me"

Living in the shadow of shame, rejection and rebellion, Mary says, "I believed that no one could love or accept me if they knew THE REAL ME.  After years of painful self-condemnation, she found freedom through the healing touch of God's unconditional love.  Mary will share her journey from darkness into light through words and song and will help you shine the light of truth into the darkest corners of your
life.   Her heart overflows with a passion to share with others the love that has transformed her.  Her
voice and lyrics will leave an indelible mark on your soul - her story will inspire you to believe that "being real" is the only way to live in freedom.

To view a "Real Me" flyer ~ click here.

"Beauty from Brokenness"

Through word and song, Mary shares her full testimony, leading the listener on a journey
from her painful past into the beauty of complete renewal through Christ.  The closing segment
of her talk focuses on how God has shown her that He is able to use the most broken of vessels for
His glory.  She leaves the listener with the hope that they are uniquely and wonderfully made,
designed for a glorious purpose.

Key scriptures:  2 Corinthians 4: 5-7, 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10,  Isaiah 61: 1-3

"A Heart Like His"

"For everything we know about God's word is summed up in a single sentence, love others as
you love yourself.  That's an act of true freedom."  From Galatians 5: 13-15 - The Message

With music woven through her testimony, Mary reflects upon two key points:  (1) applying the
love of Christ in her own life, and (2) His call to share that love with others.  She explains how the
presence of Jesus in her life has and continues to mold her heart into the likeness of His.  She shows
how having a teachable heart and the ability to lay down one's pride casts the light of Christ onto
every situation, providing the freedom we all desire and the grace that is sufficient for every need.

Key scriptures:  Galatians 5: 13-15,  2 Corinthians 9:8,  1 Peter 5:5,  2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

"The Spirit of  Christmas"

A wonderful change for your Christmas Tea, Outreach or Church service, Mary and her
band will provide Country flavored Carols, Special Music and Testimony.  The emphasis
of the evening will be to celebrate the gift of salvation through Christ and to remind everyone
that the spirit of Christmas is not reserved for the month of December.

"Shine" (name may change)

A new Christmas concert and keynote presentation which will focus on learning to be content
with your unique calling and design.  This event is scheduled for release in December
2010, and will also blend familiar Christmas carols, original songs and testimony into an evening
that will leave everyone reminded that their specific assignment is precious to God.

RETREAT TOPIC

"Hidden Trophies & Heaven's Treasures"

Mary and the selected co-speakers bring you music and a message for a life-changing weekend!

With worship intended to stir our affections for the Lord, a night of special music, personal
testimony, and teaching designed to focus on matters of the heart, prayerfully, you will leave
this weekend with a renewed spirit and a deeper relationship with Jesus.  We will address the
condition of the heart when it comes to the past, present and finally, what it means to live with
an eternal perspective.  We are heaven's treasure, the bride of Christ, but are we living set apart
for such glory?  Are are living in the full freedom of Christ?  Each of us will be challenged with the question, Where is your heart?  As God reveals His loving truths, every woman will have the
opportunity to take personal steps toward a more powerful and purposed life in Christ.

Retreat Outline:

       ~ Worship offered for all four sessions
       ~ Part I - Full testimony with special music (Evening concert)
       ~ Part II - Trophies of the Past (or the enemy)
       ~ Part III - Trophies of the Flesh
       ~ Part IV - Heaven's Treasures - Finding daily peace by living with an eternal perspective

Key scripture:  Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 
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