Music and Message - Pat and Donna Surface 218-349-7908
Ask us about our uplifting new Gospel Show - Hallelujah! (described below)
Our ministry and our business have been about relationships one handshake one hug at a time - grass roots. The human component in this high tech age is critical. We are losing our connection with each other and with God. In church services we find that vibrant worship music helps enhance this connection (please read comments below). We perform a blend of traditional and contemporary Christian music, sprinkled with crossover hits from the 60s and 70s that we call Holy Oldies - (like Put Your Hand In The Hand, Spirit In The Sky, and Knockin' On Heaven's Door) - frosted with Pat's original Christian compositions inspired by Scripture (we have recorded many Christian/Gospel albums, including Hallelujah, On The Wings Of A Dove, and Spirit In Ths Sky/Holy Wind - click on the 'Previews' to the right of the songs to listen to samples). We have also produced a Daily Devotional project that includes a spoken message for each day by Donna followed by a Gospel song by Pat - a 3 record set with 30 devotionals and 33 music tracks - listen to a sample - Day By Day.
Listen to the title cut from our new Gospel album, Hallelujah - featuring Leonard Cohen's beautiful melody and Christian lyrics by Pat here.
Our shows feature dynamic and inspirational videos - we have all of the multi-media equipment as well as sound and lights.
In addition, Donna dramatically interprets the songs in Performance Sign Language. We call it 'See The Music'.
A sound bar with a compellation of songs is below. Comments are at the end of the page.
Love Triangle - With God at the top, and husband and wife at the bottom - we draw closer to each other as we reach for God (listen to Pat's song Love Triangle here). We are very blessed to be able to work together as a couple. After years of living and performing together, we credit our continued joy and enthusiasm (and our successful marriage) to what we call our 'Love Triangle.' As we share our testimony, offer up song in worship, praise, and reflection, perform interactive, entertaining concerts, and educate in health and fitness (see Donna’s work), we present a holistic perspective to our Christian faith. Our program integrates mind, body and spirit in a diverse and unique format that has been enthusiastically received both at national Christian organizations (we were key-note presenters and performers at the National Marriage Encounter Conference - letter below), and local churches (letters below). Our desire is to use the gifts that God has blessed us with to minister to people of all ages—empowering them with hope and enlightenment, and igniting them to act positively and decisively.
Some of the church events we have participated in have been structured like this:
- We performed at all the services—Pat’s song & Donna’s Interpretive Sign Language
- Pat & Donna’s evening show - Hallelujah! (including 60s and 70s classics, popular Gospel tunes, personal testimony, humorous “married couple” interaction, and Donna’s “Performance Art In Sign For The Hearing Impaired”)
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Sometimes a church will schedule a lunch to introduce healthy alternatives to typical (unhealthy) food choices
- Donna’s nutrition presentation follows the lunch, or accompanies the lunch to describe what they are eating (and what they are NOT!) – Donna is certified by The American College Of Sports Medicine.
- We also do community outreach – performing in schools (preschool through high school). Our programs are specific to age group and interactive, with sign language taught to the children, culminating in “sign-alongs.”
- Donna also teaches “glossing” of songs – translating lyrics to ASL. Learn more here.
We hope to have the opportunity to worship with you. Please see some comments below.
Listen To A Sample Of Our Music
Hallelujah - Go Rest High On The Mountain - Here I Am Lord - There Is Love - Old Rugged Cross - On The Wings Of A Dove - I'll Fly Away - Knockin' On Heaven's Door/Amazing Grace - Wafaring Stranger
Pat's Christian lyrics to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah:
I know that there's a God above - a God of peace, a God of love - so play that joyful chord, Hallelujah. He touched my heart - He touched my soul - He lives in me I love Him so - All my trust in Him, Hallelujah.
Chorus - Hallelujah
Jesus Christ, He is the Son - the holy and annointed One - He is my Saviour, He's my Lord. Upon a cross He died for me - He gave His life to set me free - eternal life through Him - Hallelujah.
Chorus - Hallelujah
In this still and quiet place, I can feel His warm embrace - though the storms they rage all around me. To live your dream there is a cost, so don't look back and don't get lost - just sing David's song - Hallelujah.
We tithe back 10% to every church we perform at.
Greetings Pat & Donna,
It was quite a night for us at Maine to host our 3rd Dinner/Concert with the two of you as our guests. But you became far more than simply guests; you let us into your passion, your heart and your love for music! And we were the blessed ones! Thanks for the ministry of joy that you are engaged in and for all the stories, the laughs, the memories made and shared and your gift of music that you shared with us on Thursday. But mostly thanks for sharing yourselves and your love and faith in God through your music!
It was our blessing to host Donna and Pat Surface at our worship service. Everyone spoke highly of what they had experienced. The words, the “making the song visible,” the participation – it blessed everyone. Donna has a gift. She is able to dramatically interpret songs in Performance Sign Language and make it possible for everyone to 'See The Music'.
Some people were moved to tears. Others were moved to get involved! Some were moved to step closer to God. It was a new experience for most of these folks and they are all looking forward to worshipping with Spiritwood Music next year. They are coming in January. I was blessed working with Donna and Pat to select the music and craft the service.
Having them lead music in our worship service was a risk for us. You know how people are about change! It was a risk worth taking. The Lord was present. The Lord was praised. God’s people were blessed. Where is the down side in that? It was awesome!
If you have the opportunity to include Pat and Donna Surface and Spiritiwood Music in your worship service, go for it. Be blessed! We now have them return each year.
Pastor Liz Jensen
Evangelical Covenant Church of Venice Isle
Venice, FL
For several years St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church has had the distinct pleasure of hosting Pat and Donna Surface in their ministry of music to all of God’s Children. What a blessing they have been to those who listened to Pat’s singing and watched Donna’s interpretation during their Saturday night concert and Sunday morning worship leadership. I know that everyone left inspired and filled with the ‘peace that passes all understanding’ through the special gift of hope and joy in the Lord that they both convey.
Along with many different types of music, Pat sings the old gospel hymns and spirituals, as well as Christian tunes he has composed, and Donna beautifully signs/interprets these. Their unique blend of talents truly opens hearts and minds so that people are able to experience the love of God in Christ through their music and their own obvious faith and grace-filled presence.
I would highly recommend Pat and Donna and their music ministry to you as you consider your needs for worship. I know you will find them to be spiritually uplifting as they gladly share their God-given talents with you. Please feel free to call if you have any questions—I would love to endorse them by phone as well as letter!
Thanks to you, Pat and Donna for a marvelous experience of grace and joy this weekend! When I have nursing home worship services I speak as little as possible, for I know the words aren't (or can't) often be heard and digested - so we mostly sing old hymns. For the music never fails...and people who can't hear much and aren't able to communicate, suddenly begin to tap their feet and I know that the 'word of God dwells in them richly.' That's the way I feel about your ministry here at St. Andrew's (and I realize in many, many other places) - for you allow us the opportunity to be in a peaceful place - your music and interpretation opens up the Word in ways that words cannot. So, thank you, thank you...
In Christ,
Pastor Vicki Taylor
St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN
Spiritwood Music brought great joy and ministry to our church and community with their music, humor, and dynamic presence! Pat and Donna inject so much personal joy into their performance and interaction with the congregation, along with such integrity, sincerity, and messages of faith and care for the earth. What a blessing they are through their music ministry! It is like welcoming old friends into your living room as they share their music and gifts of self. People leave feeling uplifted, filled, and blessed!
Pastor Jan Redman
Crossroads United Methodist Church
One mellow summer evening, we heard Pat and Donna Surface at an outdoor venue in a resort town in northern Minnesota. My wife, my children and I were soon basking in the comfortable, joyous atmosphere created by Pat's well-crafted songs, wonderful voice and finely-honed guitar playing, and Donna's brilliant interpretation of the music through interpretive sign. Their presence and talents were a gift to all who were present. Afterwards, we got to talking and realized that we had some common interests—music, faith, and the 'north country'. As pastor of a church, I am always on the lookout for folks who bring God's gifts into relationship with others. So I invited them to perform at our church.
Together, they ministered among us sharing their music and interpretive sign at our worship services and in a relaxing -- and inspiring -- concert in the afternoon. It was fabulous! We had a great weekend together, and I strongly believe that Pat and Donna will offer a valuable ministry to any church.
Pastor Daniel Belgum-Blad
FirstLutheranChurch
Marshall, MN
On Thursday evening, July 18th, 2002, the National Marriage Encounter Conference was kicked off at 7:30 pm in the HumphreyTheater at St. John’s University by our keynote presenters, Pat and Donna Surface. To a packed house of diverse denominations and ethnic expressions, this wonderful Christian couple deftly wove this year’s theme of “harmony” into a very entertaining, moving, and inspiring evening of personal testimony, music, and humor. “Harmony” implies that we are in balance, freeing us to live and love in peace, and Pat and Donna demonstrated this beautifully—not only in lovely harmonic sound, but in their relationship and intimate sharing as well. Strong marriages and families give renewing energy to neighborhoods, schools, and communities of faith. Pat & Donna Surface were an excellent choice to represent the commitment to understanding the forces that undermine marriages and families, and how you can develop strategies and defenses against these forces. Their story is a dramatic one, and they integrated it artfully with their music, humorous interactions, Bible verses, and interpretive sign language (so we could also “see the music”).
“Love Triangle.” This is the name of Pat & Donna’s presentation, as well as a beautiful song written by Pat as a gift to Donna. The triangle in this sense depicts God at the top, and husband and wife at the other points. As the couple grows closer to God, they grow closer to each other as well. Pat’s other songs are equally as beautiful and thought-provoking, and Donna’s “performance art in sign” is an expressive and poignant accompaniment to Pat’s music. Donna combines American Sign Language, dance, and mime to dramatically interpret a song’s lyric, emotion, and message. It is wonderful to watch…graceful and compelling. In all, our evening with Pat & Donna launched this year’s conference with enthusiasm, joy, and rejuvenation.
On Friday, July 19th, Donna presented a health/fitness/nutrition workshop to a “standing room only” crowd. Donna is the author of an impressive and important book, Burn Fat For Fuel, and her “Mind-Body-Spirit” workshop blends the information she has spent years researching and compiling with wit and surprises in a motivating and empowering event. We were offered “no nonsense” advice and practical guidance in something everyone is confused and conflicted about—nutrition. We were amazed as lies were exposed and hidden truths were revealed. And we learned how the only ultimately successful approach to the complex issue of health and well-being integrates mind…body…and spirit. Donna is educated and credentialed, but she has lived this, and that makes her presentation riveting.
The 2002 National Marriage Encounter Conference was a huge success. We want to express our gratitude to Pat & Donna Surface for their participation in helping us make it a fruitful time for all.
Gene & Mike VanderHeyden
Chair Couple/2002 National Marriage Encounter Conference Committee
320-594-2720
Dear Pat and Donna - regarding your 'Prayer Shawl Ministry'
Your thoughtful gift of the lovely prayer shawl is such an encouragement to me as I fight through this time of cancer and chemo. It reminds me to stay strong in faith and trust God in every aspect of life. So many are blessed by all you do. May God return those blessings to you. You are beautiful people who spread joy wherever you go and whatever you do.
Love to you both,
Judy
Dear Pat and Donna - I hope this will serve as an encouragement for you in your ministry. I was a fellow artist at a festival in North Dakota. In the rush of setting up on Saturday morning the music which filtered into my booth finally registered. It was much of what I hear on the Christian radio station in our area. But then I reasoned, why would a secular event (especially in our day of 'political correctness') select Christian music to be piped into the venue. I was so surprised to find it was 'live' music, and stood there for a while drinking in the uplifting selections. Beautiful. Keep on keeping on.
In Christ's Love, Jean
Hello Pat,
I would like to thank you for your very inspiring music. I first heard your voice at the Little Falls craft fair and bought your CD "On The Wings of a Dove". I listened to it over and over and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently attended the craft fair at Canterbury Downs and I bought your CD "Hallelujah" which now is being played every chance I get and as I'm writing this. I unfortunately lost my younger sister to a brain aneurysm and your music has gotten me though many tough times. Your song "Here I am Lord" was sung at her funeral. It brings me to tears but yet so soothing. I appreciate your sincere and calming personality.
Sincerely,
Mary