Frequently Asked Questions
How does Noteworthy Ministries view their role in ministry?
We believe God has called us to serve as equippers, providing materials and training to leaders in churches, inner city ministries, and similar organizations to present the Amazing Grace Bible & Guitar Study to at-risk and disadvantaged youth living in their community. Some use the program as a discipleship tool while others use it for evangelism. Most combine the two in a manner that fits the needs of the youth they serve.
What is the Amazing Grace Bible & Guitar Study?
The Amazing Grace Bible & Guitar Study is a three month program that meets weekly for a forty-five minute Bible study, followed by a forty- five minute guitar lesson. At the end of the program a graduation ceremony is held where participants are given a guitar from Noteworthy Ministries.
Are the Bible study and guitar lessons presented at the same setting?
Yes. The Bible study is presented first, followed by the guitar lesson.
What do participants in the Amazing Grace Bible & Guitar Study receive?
At the beginning of each program each student is provided with; Bible study and guitar lesson curriculum, a Gregg Bennett D-1 acoustic guitar gig bag (guitar case), electronic tuner and music stand.
How long does the program last?
We recommend that each program be three months long.
How many youth can be in each program?
We recommend the maximum number of students for each program is twelve. With additional instructors, more kids can be included.
How much does the Amazing Grace Bible & Guitar Study cost?
As the majority of our ministry partners have few financial resources, there is no charge for the Amazing Grace Bible & Guitar Study. We do however ask our partners who have financial resources available to help offset the cost of their program.
Pay It Forward?
We ask that when possible program participants work as a group conducting a fund-raiser. This serves two purposes. First, it helps the young person gain a sense of ownership for their program and secondly, it provides funding assistance toward initiating additional Bible and Guitar Study programs. Some of the fund raising activities our previous partners have conducted are car washes, bake sales pancake breakfasts and rummage sales. Whatever funds that are raised are sufficient.
Does Noteworthy Ministries work with all Christian Faiths?
Absolutely. We do however ask that our partners only teach the Christ centered doctrine as noted in the Partnership Agreement that our partners and Noteworthy Ministries sign.
What are the main tenants of the Noteworthy Ministries Statement of Faith and Core Values?
Deity of Jesus Christ• Inerrancy of Scripture • Salvation by Faith • Participation in the Local Church
Who signs the partnership agreement?
Our partner designates a Program Manager, who signs the Partnership Agreement on behalf of the partnering organization.
How many leaders should each program have?
Our partners choose their own leaders. We recommend there be at a minimum of a leader and assistant leader for each portion of the program. Some of our partners have the same persons teaching both the Bible study and the guitar lesson.
What separates successful programs from those that struggle.
Having dedicated leaders for both the Bible and guitar study is the primary element that distinguishes the quality of a programs. If you are unsure of the dedication or the qualifications of your leaders, wait until you can find others to lead. Do not begin a program believing the commitment of your leaders will improve over time. This is seldom the case.
How is Noteworthy Ministries Funded?
Noteworthy Ministries is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization, funded by donations. Please consider supporting this ministry as we equip local church’s, ministries and community leaders with equipment and training to minister to at-risk and disadvantaged youth living in their communities.
If we have the financial resources, how much does it cost to sponsor a program?
After the initial expenses of establishing a program, Noteworthy Ministries can add new students for less than $200 each. Each participant receives a guitar, guitar gig bag (case), electronic tuner, music stand and curriculum for the Bible and guitar study.
Tell me about the Amazing Grace Bible Study
The Bible study is one that we have written and is based on hymn Amazing Grace. Each line and verse is studied through a written study. Questions are included that foster discussions while participants fill in the blanks with their response.
What about the Guitar Study portion of the program?
A guitar study manual is provided to all participants. Included are three songs with chord sheets and diagrams on how to make the chords. The songs included are two versions of Amazing Grace; a traditional and dynamic beat version, Lord I Lift Your Name on High and Step by Step. Leaders decide upon which songs are taught to the kids. A guitar instructional DVD is provided to leaders, demonstrating how to play these songs.
Do the kids ever play their guitars for others?
We ask that as soon as your kids can play Amazing Grace, they play and sing as a group. Numerous opportunities are found in church, small groups and Sunday school. Playing and singing for others allows an opportunity for encouragement by adults. But don’t wait until your kids sound perfect. Those who will be listening care more about their effort than how the music sounds.
What is the key element in having the kids perform with their guitars?
At least in the beginning, the leader needs to perform with the kids. One of the worst things that can happen to a young person is to look or feel foolish in front of others. The leader needs to take complete responsibility for their playing in front of others. The kids need to know that the leader is not going to let anything happen to them. Taking responsibility takes the pressure off of them.
What is Wayne’s background and what prompted him to form Noteworthy Ministries?
Wayne was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana and raised primarily in Readhimer, a small community in northern Natchitoches Parish. As a teen, he lived just outside Fort Worth, Texas. He and wife JoAnne have been married for over twenty four years and live in Flower Mound, Texas. JoAnne is retired and supports the ministry. Wayne began playing guitar while in the Air Force. He soon discovered that learning guitar would be pivotal in overcoming his chronic stuttering problem. This led to playing in bands and as a soloist.
His heart was drawn to God while he was working part time at a local hospital. Wayne had been hired to go from room to room, playing guitar and singing for patients. Those he would play for would often tell him what Jesus had done in their life. This made a difference in Wayne’s life and he accepted Christ as his savior at the age of 46.
He became active in his home church, and on one of his several short term mission trips to Haiti, Wayne begin to formulate the idea of birthing a somewhat unusual ministry. He envisioned a ministry reaching out to disadvantaged youth by combining a Bible study and guitar lessons, with giving program graduates a guitar.
After much prayer and exchange of ideas with JoAnne, both felt that God was indeed working in Wayne’s life and calling him into full time ministry. Shortly thereafter in late 1998, Wayne left his full time job and founded Noteworthy Ministries. In preparation for service in the ministry, Wayne enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary, and while working part-time to grow the ministry, graduated in 2002. In 1999 we began our longest running program at the Texas Youth Commission, Gainesville State School, Gainesville, Texas.
