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Switching back to the NEW SITE

2009-08-03T09:21:00.002-05:00

so.. We know Summer isn't over. BUT, the SUMMER BLOG IS. We've been working hard on a new site and we finally have it up. There's more stuff we have to put on there, but it's pretty close. Our blogs will now be on there NOT HERE. So please start directing all your "looking" at www.branchmusic.org

Steven

Flight WEEK videos

2009-07-21T11:08:00.003-05:00

Rooftops

Rooftops from Steven Patterson on Vimeo.

Victory

Victory from Steven Patterson on Vimeo.

Flight Week (camp5)

2009-07-18T11:36:00.005-05:00

We've been looking forward to this camp all Summer- actually since last Summer. We love getting to be a part of what God does in all these DFW area church's! This year was even better than last! We got to reconnect with an old friend Wes Hamilton who spoke all week. He has a 4yr old daughter named Ellie as well (he had to have taken that from us...oh wait). Ha. Also, last time I saw his boy Jake was like 6 yrs ago. He's getting so big. Anyway, we saw alot of students from last year and it was cool seeing how they've grown up a little and how they were still strongly pursuing God. The camp theme this week was "Surrender" and what a powerful message God had each night for the students. Stop trying harder- surrender. Every night this week we saw countless decisions. I think there were about 30 baptized in the camp pool! And Kent (flight coordinator) said there were over 180 decisions made this week. It never gets old to be a part of eternal change and we thank God for His movement here in Dallas.

Caleb Smith and Jayce Barbee (from pinkgoosemedia.com) were doing video's and they are some of our closest friends! Lex Smith (Caleb's sister-in-law) came and was our camp Nanny all week and it was such a blessing.

The production at this camp is AMAZING so we'll have alot of cool videos and pics to show soon from Flight WEEK.

Right now I'm finishing mix's on all the Summer stuff and we'll post "the best of" to iTunes. All the songs should be available for download at the beginning of August.

LIVE CD TRACK LIST:
1. Did You Feel the Mnts
2. Rooftops
3. Nothing To Lose
4. Victory
5. Mighty To Save
6. PLEA (our only live version)
7. I Surrender All

Thursday night we passed out a bunch of giant shoes and these students gave over $2000 to Orphans through Buckner. That makes the grand total money raised for Buckner orphans around $6200!! We can't wait to go on the next shoe trip and deliver these shoes and the gospel to orphans across the world.

Okay. We'll here's some video from us and our FLIPCam... enjoy

Steven

Highland Lakes (camp 4)

2009-07-12T10:26:00.006-05:00

It was a fast and furious set up this week because we started on Sunday and could get to camp till after church. We made it though and from that point on the camp was awesome. It has been so long since I've been to Highland Lakes and the new Conference room was huge. The lake was down a bit but it didn't stop students from blobbing and stuff. They also gave us a stretch limo golf cart to ride around in all week. It was fun cruising all week and I was proud of the guys for not breaking it. Tuesday night was an amazing night. Jeffrey Dean was our speaker and it was great getting to know him (www.jeffreydean.com). You should check him out and his books if you get a chance. I loved how practical he was when he spoke to the teens. So Jeffrey was speaking Tuesday night and at the end, as we came back up to stage, he gave an invitation and no lie- half the room got up and went outside. Now I know some were going with friends and stuff but there were over 80 decisions made that night!!! It is so amazing when the Spirit of GOd moves and we get a front row seat. I don't think I've ever led worship when half the room was missing- BUT I liked it. Students were turning their lives over to Jesus and the rest of us where just praising God.

Also, our good friend Matt Roberson was with us this week helping to lead worship and as always it was good just to be around Matt. He's a very gifted worship leader you can check out at (www.mattrobersononline.com)

We got to know the PR folks of Highland lakes pretty well all week so we'll just give a shout out to Natalie, Sarah, Ashley, and the others that I can't remember the names. They hooked us up with some pictures and movies so we'll have to post those ASAP!

Anyway, we're on to camp 5 and we're rested and refreshed and ready to go! Keep praying for us.

Steven

on way to Highland Lakes

2009-07-05T21:55:00.002-05:00

So we led worship this morning at our home church (FBC athens) and then had to be in Austin by 4pm! Seeing that Athens is 4 hours from the camp it was pretty tricky. Originally we thought we were supposed to be on Monday afternoon, but then I got a phone call yesterday and found out it started Sunday! We rushed, but didn't speed. I will say, I'm not trying to be a rebel or anything but I've been free from traffic tickets for a year and just got 3 within 2 days. NOT speeding. The first came when I crossed a solid white line after my lane ended and a bored cop saw it. Who get's pulled over for just driving over a solid white line. Really? Then I didn't have my insurance card with me! So then today we were pulled over because our license plate on the TRAILER was expired... didn't even know trailer license plates expire. Basically we're a band of rebels. So I've got some legal problems- sorry for going in to all that but we have to vent a little. We did have a week off this past week and it was so nice. Everyone was with family and enjoying our Independence weekend.

We're so pumped about this camp this week! We're at Lake Travis at Highland Lakes camp and tonight was an awesome Start! We'll keep you filled in this week because we actually have cell service and internet! yea!

steven

bigger isn't better

2009-06-28T21:25:00.002-05:00

Bigger isn’t better. I’ve been thinking about this American idea that getting bigger things is better. Preachers being called to bigger church’s with more money and bands playing bigger camps and tours and stadiums ect. Man that always sounded good to me, but I’m not sure that’s in the bible much. I was listening to Mike (last camp speaker) talk about John the Baptist and his ministry was only 6 months long. Jesus said of him, “there is NO man born of a woman who is greater than John.” That would include, Moses, Elijah, David, ect. What an amazing thing for Jesus to say of someone. What was John’s ministry? He said, that he would decrease so that God would increase (Jn 3:30). John was all about pointing others to Jesus the Messiah. That in it’s simplest way was the whole of his ministry in 6 months before he was beheaded. No huge stage rather a wilderness. No cool clothes and elegant dining. He didn't have time for that stuff, he only has 6 months of ministry. Then I thought about Jesus’ way. He didn’t walk with a huge group. He took twelve people of whom were misfits and the outcast of society at best. With just twelve men (one who replaced Judas) Jesus changed the world. These twelve spread Jesus across the world. Paul would leave a place as things started to grow so he could go to the next place and disciple more.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t desire my ministry, my songs, my life to on a bigger platform. In my flesh I desire to be at a huge church, leading worship at all the big camps and our songs being sung by the world. BUT God spoke to me this week. We were at a camp of 150 students and God told me, “is this not how I will use you to spread my fame through the world. DO not limit what I will do”. Who would ever know what these students are capable of? I have big hope and have interceded all week that THIS group of students would be SO set on fire with a joy and passion for GOD that it would spread like a wild fire through their towns, schools, and families. Instead of me feeling like we could make God “more” famous with more people, maybe I should invest more love and truth and my life in those He’s given me NOW. Same goes for you. DOn't wait till the bigger platform. Proclaim Christ now, where you are, with who you're with.T he less we are the GREATER He is. Our speaker this week (mike- who is a total God send to us) said EGO stands for Etching God Out. I never want to have an EGO, but I know it lurks in the dark corners of my heart. But I am resting today in the fact that God has me right where HE wants me. He doesn’t need me at SUPER youth camp or Six Flags over JESUS church. HE wants me to be faithful right where I am. GIVING all I have to those God has put in our charge. God rid me of the desire to be famous FOR that is the COMPLETE opposite attitude of a WORSHIP LEADER. I am totally content if for the rest of my days You pour your Spirit out through me to audiences of 2-20- so long as they catch Your fire and change the world. That’s much BIGGER and last much longer!

MAY YOU EVER INCREASE AS I GET LOWER AND LOWER. teach me how to serve

s

Panfork (camp3)

2009-06-28T16:12:00.005-05:00

For the record- all the TEXAS Panhandle folks are awesome. These students were from towns we had never heard of, but we were so pumped to be them for a week and meet them all. Matt Koen (ym for FBC Wheeler) asked us to come lead at this camp over a year ago and I know it was God ordained! The name "Pan"fork insinuates a frying pan which was about right on the heat_BUT we are in a season of no complaining and we really didn't have much to complain about. God was moving in amazing ways literally every day. Ellie wasn't with us this week so we were a little more freed up. We got to know the camp speaker pretty well this week- His name is Mike Satterfield and if he's got a podcast YOU HAVE to subscribe and hear him! His ministry is here: www.fieldofgraceministries.org We were so spiritually refreshed and challenged this week by Mike's passion for God's word. He left the pulpit of his church in Birmingham to travel full time in evangelism - so lift him and his family up! What a great ministry he has.

We hung out at the pool a lot this week. We made up a couple games, but the main one was basically you couldn't leave till you made a shot on the pool basketball goal from across the pool. Some days were quicker than others. Rec time was some more dodgeball action. What's with the dodgeball game- could there be a more violent game to play with each other? Anyway, I know everyone was gunning for me. The camp staff came to worship each night and it was awesome getting to know a bunch of them. Congrats to Brett and Brandi who are about to get married.

Here's some video from this week at CAMP:

2009-06-25T14:29:00.002-05:00

Hey Everybody!!

Here in the panhandle of Texas, up in the dry heat. Day four of Camp. This week has been amazing. God has called all of us to a much higher standard. We have all been challenged by God through our speaker Mike this week. Can't believe how fast these last three weeks of camp have gone. Time just doesn't slow down anymore. Thanks to all the youth ministers and camp staff for serving us during these camps. May God continue to bless your youth groups and your churches.

Till we meet again

Travis Ave (camp 2)

2009-06-20T11:49:00.007-05:00

We just got home last night from our 2nd week of Youth camp in.... Roach, Missouri. I know the name sounds really nice, but don't worry it was beautiful and God's movement up at the Lake of the Ozarks was great. This is our second camp to do for Travis Avenue Ft. Worth. It just seemed like we started right back up where we left off. What a great group of students- it was so great to catch up with so many of our friends again. They just got a new youth minister named Drew and it was awesome getting to know him and his family as well as getting to know the speaker of this week. The speaker's name was John Durham, who is the pastor at First Baptist Irving TX. What a great guy- we were so glad to sit under his teaching and hang out with such a humble and authentic man of God.

Travis Ave students know how to have a great time, but I got to say REC got pretty violent. Ha. Dodge ball was "get slammed in the face ball" of which one guy lost his footing after getting one to the face. The next day students charged this giant ball on the rec field and it got pretty crazy too (check video). Then Thursday there was a GIANT slip-n-slide (probably 100 yards) and they played bowling for people. It really seemed like a good idea at the time, but ask Mitchell's nose if it was a good idea. Ha. We had a blast!

God did some awesome things this week at a camp, though we never fully know what He's doing. The students gave over $700 to Buckner Orphans!! Each night God was moving and on Thursday there wasn't a dry eye as God's Spirit came in power and moved. Students being prayed over by adults, others on their knees in worship, and many confessing sin and turning to God to have life! That is what it's all about. We were so privilege to be a part of it. We pray this just be a beginning for many of these student's faith journey.

We did another live cd and it turned out really great. The track list for this one is similar to the one from last week:

1. Did You Feel
2. Rooftops
3. Nothing To Lose
4. Mighty To Save
5. Victory

Welp....here's the video:

Travis- You guys rock. WE hope to see you soon!

Steven, Rachel, Josh, Isaac, Peyton, Alisha, and Ellie.....

the church being the church

2009-06-14T15:28:00.001-05:00

So. pretty awesome morning with our friend Matt Roberson and his church Liberty in Tulsa. We finally got to Tulsa and set up last night around midnight. This morning the worship was awesome and we just mentioned our problems yesterday. At the end of the service we were handed over $600 from different people to help cover the cost of our car, we're getting a suburban from a family in the church. THEN another man is flying down to where our car is and picking it up and bringing to us on Friday so we can get home. Crazy? Yes. The church being the church is awesome. We hadn't met any of these people before today, but we are brothers and sisters in Christ taking care of each other. It's awesome. The enemy throws this hiccup in our way and God uses His bride to totally overcome! Wow. God is awesome and His church is too! Praise God for using Liberty to be such a blessing to us

Steven, Rachel, Isaac, Josh, Peyton, Alisha and Ellie...

Broke down on way to Missouri

2009-06-14T15:27:00.001-05:00

Today was the breaking point for our car. We broke down in the middle of Oklahoma 3 hrs from Tulsa and the nearest town over an hr away. The breaking point came as I watched my wife push my 14 month old child down the freeway, as I was frantically trying to find a tow service on a Saturday at 6pm in 96 degree heat. The guys got my wife to a gas station safely and I stayed behind waiting on a tow truck for 30 minutes. I’ve known for awhile that we are probably going to need a new car seeing that we’ve towed a trailer with it across the country for a grand total of 160,000 miles and it’s getting close to its 200,000 mark. It’s been through many tires, a transmission, new sensors whatever those are and now, a lot of engine parts are needed. I’m trying to look to the future of Branch and all that we have in front of us and I know it’s time for a new vehicle. Our band is growing with a new guitar player and a 14month old baby that travels with us as well and it’s time to expand. We are going to try and raise $15,000 in 2 weeks to try and get a new car for Branch. Pray for us.

Zephyr (camp 1)

2009-06-14T14:42:00.007-05:00

Our first camp of the Summer has kicked off with a bang! Already on Monday night God is moving, hearts are folding, and God is mighty to save. We have met up with some old friends from FBC New Braunfels. It’s been great to see them again and see that God is moving in great ways in their ministry. Also, Allen and the group from Central Round Rock and FBC Georgetown are here. It’s great to get to know those students alittle better as well. Goodie Goodloe is speaking this week and he flew out with his two kids from LA where he pastors at Mosaic church. I remember hanging with him like 6 years ago when he was at Oakcliff.
Today we hung at the pool and Ellie couldn’t decide if she wanted to be in or out of the water. She’s running around and meeting lots of 5 minute baby sitters! Ha, but we do give major props to our friend Galilee who has been Ellie’s nanny all week. She’s done great and we’re glad to have her around. Speaking of having people around- we have Peyton Eaton on the road with us this Summer helping us out and it’s been a blast having him around.
Zephyr is an awesome camp man. The staff is great! We appreciate their hearts for ministry and hope to be back again soon. What a great start to the Summer

THE LIVE CD tracklist for this camp is as follows (click for chord chart):

1. Did You Feel
2. Rooftops
3. Nothing To Lose
4. Mighty To Save
5. Victory
6. Goodie's chant

Camp Zephyr!!!

2009-06-08T22:41:00.002-05:00

Hey All!

Great night of worship, love praising the Lord with youth and seeing God change students lives even on day one. God is Great!

Another summer of camps is such a wonderful thing to be a part of. Knowing that God is going to change youths lives is something that is amazing. To be at the front lines battling for these youth is such an awesome experience. I pray that I will notice even the little blessings and opportunities that God gives me.

Till we meet again

Photo Page

2009-06-06T22:49:00.001-05:00

I'm trying to figure out how to post a bunch of pictures for the Summer.... so here's my attempt.

We'll see

Nashville in May

2009-05-15T21:07:00.000-05:00

I’m sitting in the middle of Houston Hobby waiting on a two hour plane delay. I’m going on this Writer’s Retreat for a record label in Nashville called Centricity. They're pretty cool because they are owned by this family that invests so much more in the music and doesn't JUST treat it all like a business. I’m pretty excited about it mostly because I get a week to just read and write and be around great people. I’m not really sure what this will be cause it’s my first. I do know I don’t have the best track record with writing songs with other people but like every college class- I have to learn to work well in groups. Ha. We’ll see. If anything I’m just praying God will be near me this week and that I could find Him as I search.
Here in the airport they have these new “first class” like chairs that are leather and comfy! Plus there’s a power cord thing in the armrest. Sweet. I’m not normally a big fan of Houston Hobby but I’m liking this new upgrade. Plus I didn’t know they have a Papacita’s and I just got some amazing Fajita tacos. Now if we could just get the planes on time.
Welp. Here’s for a long night on a plane. I’ll let you know how Nashville goes!

Spring Finishing

2009-04-24T09:06:00.000-05:00

It's been so busy this Spring, we finished up in Midland with our last D-now and then played last Wednesday in Round Rock and on to an outreach event in Palestine. It's been awesome the opportunities God's given us and we've met alot of new friends. Tonight we are locking ourselves in the studio to continue to write for this Summer. We are so pumped about the Summer and we only have 4 weeks. So check out what we're going to do this SUMMER! .... instead of releasing a new ep of our new songs we've decided to bring our studio with us all Summer and record a cd each week at the different camps. That way everyone get's to be apart of it and we think it's a better representation of who we are- live leading worship. Pray for us as we continue to write!

Car Wreck (all are fine...)

2009-02-27T09:05:00.000-06:00

We just finished up an awesome camp with one of our favorite church's in Louisiana; Zoar Baptist! We saw tons of students come to Christ and dozen's more repent and come back to Jesus. Always good. We met a new friend: Jeremy Kingsley who wrote the book "be last" and it's been very challenging. Oh and then on our way home we hit a deer and our ministry Suburban is badly broken. (pray God provides some new wheels for us!!). We are all okay(Ellie included) so praise God. After the wreck (at 12am) we had 3 cars pass us and the last one was a tow truck! Random? I think not. Thanks Lord! Despite a wrecked car it was a great week. it was God's car anyway. Enjoy Jesus and have a great week

Priasing God w/Cancer

2009-01-09T22:45:00.000-06:00

Leading worship tonight was new. A new experience from God because of a new filter in the room. The 1000lb gorilla of a deadly cancer met by a family of believers singing of God being all we want and need. We found out Monday that Erin had cancer. Since Monday we’ve braced as we hear more and more devastating news of an aggressive cancer well beyond it’s early stages. A mom struggling for her life; a friend full of hope in Jesus. She sang with her husband by her side and her 4 children spread across the room of teenagers. I wondered all night what was going through their heads. What was she thinking as she sang “your grace is enough for me.” ? Tonight was new because the filter of this reality made God more real. It made His words more real and His promises more powerful. Tonight was new because the music was so much more! The music was filled with healing melodies and God glorifying lyrics putting all focus on GOD. Cancer was not on the mind; God was. Death is being mocked by the praises of a child of God who will live forever!

Guatemala

2008-10-11T09:13:00.000-05:00

5 Days

5 Cities

4 Hotels

6 Orphanages,

1 Baby home,

1 Public School

1 Widows Home

45hrs on a bus

703miles

739 pairs of shoes

As I put socks on children's feet marred with mud the Lord spoke words to me. He told me I was once dirty. He told me I once was naked with nothing. As I hugged orphans and widows, as I embraced these children He told me I was once an orphan just like them. I saw the hopeless situations of teenage girls pregnant in orphanages from rape, prostitution, incest, and abuse. I saw the brokenness of the world we live in and it was hard to see. It was so much easier to be in a clean church with a clean gospel or to send money to these places and sing songs about wanting God to change the world. BUT it's very difficult to stay comfortable if I want to also be a "living sacrifice" and live worship.
In Guatemala I didn't like feeling helpless. I didn't like the fact that I couldn't speak to the children and tell them Jesus wants them when no one else does. I didn't like feeling that I had nothing to offer them and no way to really help them. It was Tuesday and we had driven 6 hours to (Shayla?) to our 2 orphanages. The day before was a very busy day starting at 6am and here we go again. I spent the day spinning a bunch of children around on the playground and being a human jungle gym. That evening I started feeling real sick. As we got to our hotel I was soon to bed shivering with fever and nausea. It proved a long night of "being sick". That morning another drive 5 hour drive through unpaved mountain roads! I felt horrible-some say I was the color of the paper these words are on. I had to have the driver pull over a couple times so I could open the door and throw up. I was at my weakest point drugged on Dramamine and hugging my backpack in the backseat of a little toyota pickup. We arrived in Antigua to an orphanage called Man-Chen- 140 girls. What-Girls? The day before was all boys. I can do boys but girls? Not only can I not speak their language, I can't relate, and I on top of that I felt sooooo sick. We walked through a huge iron gate crowned with barbed wire. I could see right away that many of the girls were special needs. They were all different ages and many of the older girls either had children or were pregnant! I was very surprised by the sights I saw. We sang with them a few songs in very broken Spanish-"Si Senor" (Yes Lord- Darrell Evans) one of the only songs I knew in Spanish. I started to feel better as the day progressed. We were suppose to start putting shoes on their feet when we got there, but we had to wait 2 hrs for the shoes to be arranged. I had 40 Guatemalan girls gazing right at me and the other three in my group. We sang and I taught them some hand motions that they liked. After playing some games we didn't know what to do. I had a translator stand up with me and I shared my testimony. It was hard to look into their eyes, glazed over from abuse and trauma. I couldn't think of what to say. How could I explain to them that God wants them? They wouldn't believe me. Every eye was on me as I told them how God found me even when I ran from Him. I told them I hated God after He took my father from me, but he pursued me and wanted me- He wanted to be my Father. God never leaves me. As I spoke about the love of God there was POWER. In my weakest point, it was awesome to boast of God and KNOW His Spirit was speaking life and love and power into these girls. It had absolutely nothing to do with me. I have always wondered how to experience the true POWER of God- the power I read about so many times in Acts and it was clear. I can't have it until I need it. Not until I am ready to move out of my comfortable places and lay all my self confidence at the feet of God. God didn't need me to be strong and healthy. He didn't need me to speak Spanish. He has no obstacles to His own movement. He has never asked anything of me except willingness. Am I willing to go and be? Am I willing to do what He says? I can't imagine what Moses felt like when God told him that He would use him to lead a whole nation to freedom. But Lord I can't speak well! We all have good excuses and bad faith. But for my joy and God's glory if I could really live what I sing. "Si Senor" It's hard to say yes. It really is! But oh how it's worth it!
By the way.... here's alittle "tell me who" in Spanish. The orphans liked it too!

About US

2008-07-24T10:20:00.000-05:00

A four piece rock/modern worship band from Texas with a passion and zeal for Jesus Christ that reaches far beyond a stage. Living in a city with four college's, the band got it's start leading worship for a city-wide collegiate bible study called Grace. After consistently leading worship at the bible study and at their local church (UBC), the band began traveling the country to lead worship at various camps, conferences, and retreats. In the Fall of 2005, the band officially became Branch with the release of their debut album "Desperate for Real". With this first record, the band's ministry reached beyond the borders of the bible study and soon the band was traveling full time leading others to experience, know, and worship God. Branch's newest released "The Side Effects of Seeing," released in September 07. The bands purpose could be summed up in this sentence: to creatively and effectively lead others into the presence of God where they can respond to God and be changed into His likeness.

2008-07-24T10:11:00.003-05:00

Rooftops from Steven Patterson on Vimeo.

Mighty To Save from Steven Patterson on Vimeo.

Victory from Steven Patterson on Vimeo.

My reading today of Jeremiah 18

2008-07-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share what God was speaking to me through His word this morning.....

JEREMIAH 18

God tells the nation of Israel that HE is the potter and can build up or dispose of his vessels as he sees fit. In extreme fairness and mercy he will treat them.

If they repent he will have mercy.

"if that nation turns from it's evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it(8)"

If they follow their own hearts he will tear them down.

"if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the GOOD with which I said i would benefit(10)"

Matthew Henry QUOTE:

That which ruins sinners is affecting to live as they [want]. They call it liberty to live at large; whereas for a man to be a slave to his lusts is the worst of slaveries.

As I've been reading through Jeremiah, over and over again I've watched God judge and punish His people for their sins I find one main sin at the CORE of every rebuke. The "evil" that God continually speaks of is this: that his people do not follow him, but their OWN HEARTS.

Who's not guilty of this? I know idolatry and other sins are named, but at the core our EVIL is following the dictates of our own hearts. THUS we live in slavery and don't know it. It doesn't seem that wrong to get up today without a thought of what God wills for our lives for the day- but rather we get up and do what we want ALL the time. Never living in a submissive spirit like Jesus who said "i only do what I see the Father doing". We've missed it. I've missed it.

The worst part of this Jeremiah passage is the people's response to what God said. RETURN FROM YOUR EVIL WAY OR FIND DISASTER.

The people reply: "THAT is HOPELESS! we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart. (12)"

I might not have said it that way, but by the way I live today: I've said the same thing. Living in empty self serving slavery today and not even knowing it.

GOD RESCUE ME FROM THIS.