Exciting news! We are in the process of interviewing for the lead singer position
and have an excellent candidate. Please pray for him and for us as we make a decision
on this. This meeting has been completely an act of God and the heart and talent
that this man of God brings could complete the new ministry lead vocal need. We
have been interviewing him and he has been interviewing us for the last several
weeks. We want to know that this ministry and the candidate is a match based on
God's Will. Thank you for your prayers. Also, our site might be down for a few
days as we are changing web servers. We should be up and running by the middle
to end of this week. God bless you all! -Simonz Mile
2/01/06-
Well,
we just wanted to let you know that things are going very well for us. We are
keeping this ministry in prayer and allowing God to lead us. As we have let you
know in the past, we were going to change the name of the ministry. With God's
help, we have come to a resolution on a new ministry name. We are now Simonz Mile.
We want to share with you the meaning and mission of this new ministry. Meaning
of “Simonz Mile”: Matthew 5:41 states, “If someone forces you to go one mile,
go with him two miles.” This verse is lived out by Simon of Cyrene when, in Matthew
27:32, Simon was forced into service to help carry Christ’s cross to His crucifixion.
We all are, at times, asked or even forced to do things that we don’t understand
and don’t want to do. Even more, we go through things in life that are not removed
right away. But because we do them, we are strengthened and grow closer to Christ
through the experience. Our character is developed as the world watches our response
to what life brings us. We pray that we are a reflection of Christ. We all have
walked and, in the future, will continue to walk a “Simonz Mile”. **If you were
wondering, the "Z" is a "creative" move. We did NOT want the name to look like
Simon Smile (e.g. simonsmile.com).** Mission Statement: Further the Gospel Message
through the platform of music by: (1) Encouraging and challenging the church to
strengthen their faith. (2) Give the “lost” the opportunity to encounter Christ
for the first time. This has always been the mission of Shadowbox Puppets and
we will continue on our journey as Simonz Mile with the same goals driving our
motivation. We are relying on the stability that God created in the Shadowbox
Puppets ministry. Therefore, as the Simonz Mile ministry grows, we will make it
a slow transition. But, in the meantime, the Shadowbox Puppets website will remain
(for at least 3 years) and we will create a new web site for Simonz Mile, creating
a link between the two ministries. This will create a very fluid move into the
new ministry of Simonz Mile. For right now, all email updates will still come
from the Shadowbox Puppets website. We have always appreciated your emails to
the band and many of you have been gifted with encouragement. The band is VERY
thankful for you. Keep being obedient to Christ through that gift. We would also
appreciate prayers for Brian Seewald (former lead singer) and his family, as they
are still getting settled in Arkansas. May God bless everything they do for the
Lord. We are excited about what God has in store for this new ministry. The process
has begun to look for a new lead singer. We know God has something special in
store. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. Simonz Mile (formerly Shadowbox
Puppets).
1/06/06-
Hello
everyone! Happy New Year! We wanted to email you to let you know that the
3 remaining members of Shadowbox Puppets (Mike-guitar, Michael-drums and Steve-bass),
with the blessing of the 4th member that moved away (Brian-lead singer), has prayfully
decided to continue in music ministry. We ask for your prayers as we seek to fill
the lead singer position. The 3 of us feel led by God to continue the ministry
that has been so vital for so many years. Although we are going to eventually
change the name of the ministry, the ministry will continue on with the same fervor:
a passion for the lost and a passion to encourage and challenge the church. We
have come to realized that the 3 of us were not called away from this ministry
yet and feel that God has burned an even greater desire to continue on and reach
people for Christ. We appreciate your encouragement and prayers. We will, as always,
keep you posted with what God is continuing to do in our lives. God bless.
10/20/05-
"This
is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your
God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should
go." (Isaiah 48:17)
Hello everyone!
YES, the Lord directs our paths.
And, though this is hard to do, we feel that it is God’s Will for our lives to
end the Shadowbox Puppets ministry. God has truly blessed this ministry and we
feel so honored to have been a part of such an incredible journey. Our lead singer
is moving out of state because God has opened the door for him to be a part of
another ministry at another church across the country. As a band, we decided that
the ministry of Shadowbox Puppets will not continue on as a band. But the heart
of the ministry will continue on in our own lives as God directs us and reveals
His purpose and plan for each one of us. We want to thank everyone who has prayed
for this ministry and who has supported it through finances, physical labor, and
other means. We want to publicly thank our wives and kids for the many sacrifices
they have made in the past 6+ years of this ministry. As individuals, we have
grown closer to God and that was worth it all. But God did so much more. We know
that the Lord used this ministry to see thousands come to know the saving grace
of Christ Jesus. Just one saved would have made the sacrifice worth it all. But,
God blessed the ministry richly and because we tried to remain faithful to Him,
we saw miracle after miracle happen before our very eyes. We want everyone to
know that the ministry will end on a HUGE spiritual high. This is God’s plan not
human error. The last tour we took was the greatest tour we ever had the privilege
of taking. And, we would rather see God end the ministry now, knowing that we
gave it 110% to the very end then for us to continue a ministry for selfish reasons.
The ministry will end as of December 24th. If you would like to book us for the
last time, please contact Brian Seewald at booking@shadowboxpuppets.com or call
his cell at 951-415-9968. Thanks again for your love for God.
“For we are
God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
-The Shadowbox Puppets
Psalm
63:7-8 "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings
to you; your right hand upholds me."
09/01/05-
We
are back from tour. This was the best tour we have ever taken. Over 300 people
made commitments for Christ in a month. This is what this ministry is all about.
We were blessed to visit with so many new people. Thank you to all the people
that took us in while we were on the road and went out of their way to make us
feel at home. God bless you all.
08/23/05-
Shadowbox
Puppets are in Indiana this morning. They are headed for Missouri and are going
to wrapping up their last week of tour in Arkansas. As of today, 265 people have
made commitments for the Lord. Lead singer, Brian Seewald states, "God is doing
some amazing work on this tour. And it is a privilege and honor to be able to
watch God do His work amongst us." Shadowbox Puppets expect tremendous things
to wrap this summer.
08/19/05-
Shadowbox
Puppets are on the East Coast and finishing up concerts in that area and then
will be heading back down south. God is doing an excellent work this tour. The
band claims that this tour has been the greatest tour they have taken and the
impact for Christ is outstanding. They just played at a primarily Spanish speaking
Nazarene Church in New Jersey. There was no language barrier due to our common
faith. It was amazing. They also played in Connecticut for the first time and
had an incredible night of worship. Steve (bass player) flew back out to continue
to tour with the rest of the band. Steve's Dad is doing great and all went well
with the surgery. Thanks for your prayers!
08/14/05-
Shadowbox
Puppets from New York City- Tour has been fabulous. We have played for over 1500
people so far and in the first full week of playing events, over 115 people have
made commitments for Christ. This is amazing and NOT unexpected. God is moving
and we are watching Him change hearts in our midst. Please continue to pray for
us and that God will continue to do great things. Also, please pray for Steve
(bass player). He will be flying home on August 15th to be with his dad as he
goes through a double by-pass and valve replacement surgery and then fly back
to continue the tour. Please pray for a successful surgery, complete recovery
for Skip (Steve’s dad). And pray for his salvation. Thanks! God is forever faithful.
"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made."
Psalm 145:13b
08/07/05-
Our
first concert was incredible! Gainesville, Texas knows how to worship. 20 people
made commitments for Christ and the worship experience was awesome! On to Kansas.
08/06/05-
Well, we are on tour. It has been interesting thus far. Our bassist, Steve, has
not come with us. His father, Skip, has heart issues and is going to have double
by-pass surgery. The surgery has been delayed and so Steve has decided to fly
out to meet us in Texas. Please pray for Skip, for an easy surgery and quick recovery.
Also pray for Skip spiritually, as he needs the Lord and that God use Steve to
reach the rest of his family for the Lord during this time. We appreciate your
prayers as we believe that God has got great things in store for this tour. Anytime
we come across opposition like this, we know that it is just a distraction from
what we are truly supposed be doing out here. The awesome part of this story unfolded
last night. We booked a plane ticket for Steve and told him that the band would
pick it up if he comes out to meet us in Texas, while the medical staff back at
home secures a date for his fathers' surgery. Steve is planning on flying back
out for his fathers' surgery and flying back to us to continue on tour. A relative
of Brian, the lead singer, called him out of the blue and asked him if he needed
any money. Brian hesitated and relative persisted on giving him $100. Another
relative said they would pitch in $100 to match that $100. Both relatives just
felt it on their hearts to help us out financially for some reason. They did not
know that we just bought a plane ticket for $202. God is awesome and is our great
provider. Praise Him for His faithfulness and for reassurance that we are supposed
to be out here on tour. Thanks for your prayers.
07/18/05-
Shadowbox
Puppets are making final preparations for their Augsust National tour. They will
be on the road for 26 days, traveling from Southern California to the East Coast.
Front man, Brian Seewald, states, "God has really orchestrated this tour.
We have high expectations of what God is about to do through us. We just need
to be held up in prayer as God keeps opening up doors nationally and at home.
The future of the band remains in God's hands and hopefully this tour is an indication
of great things to come this coming year."
05/21/05-
We
had an awesome trip to Park City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada. In Park City, we
saw about 6 new commitments to Christ and 30 recommitments. It was an awesome
time. We had a great time in Las Vegas, ministering at Rock-N-Java. The people
there were great. We had an awesome time in worship and meeting new people and
other Christian bands.
04/24/05-
Shadowbox
Puppets just got back from Reno, NV and Northern, CA. The trip was great. We played
4 different events in 2 days. And, God used us again and the trip, if anything,
really encouraged us to stay strong in this ministry. A big thank you goes out
to our friends and family in Reno! We always feel welcome there.
03/31/05-
Shadowbox
Puppets will be going on their national summer tour on August 5th through August
30th. If you are interested in booking us for this tour, please email us at booking@shadowboxpuppets.com.
Include your name, number and email address, and best time to reach you. We look
forward to ministering in your area. Thanks for your help. God bless everyone!
03/25/05-
The
Shadowbox Puppets winter tour was incredible. We played in Nampa (Idaho), Reno
(Nevada) and Santa Cruz (CA). Over 140 people made commitments to Christ on that
tour. When we go out on tour, we just pray for opportunities to minister. And
God answered those prayers. From situations on the road to our concert venues
and even in our relaxation time, God was in complete control. If just one life
was affected by God through what we did, we would claim that it was worth the
trip. However, we saw so many people make a commitment to Christ and we knew that
this trip was God's plan. We appreciate all the prayers that went before out trip.
God
is awesome! And we feel honored to be chosen for this task.
