Matthew Gideon of Eph'pha-tha
http://www.ephphatha.com
by Trisha Bleau

CS: Please share with us how your group formed and any changes it went through after forming.

MG: Ephphatha formed several years ago with the help of some of Staci’s music students and her husband, Henry. The face of ephphatha has changed many times due to God calling members in different directions.

CS: How has this affected the group? Did it take awhile to bond? What kind of relationship do you all have now?

MG: All of the changes have been for the best; God has always been in control. The group we have now is the closest; the chemistry is surely there. We know we are exactly where God wants us to be right now.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

MG: Spreading the message of Christ through music. We love all kinds of groups, young and old, lost and not lost. We feel God leads us to many to different venues for many different reasons. We continue to stay open to His calling.

CS: What does your groups name mean? Where did you come up with it?

MG: Eph-pha’tha is a word Christ used when he healed a man who was deaf and dumb. It means, “to be opened”, and can be found in Mark 7:34. God led us to this name; it really fits our mission of being opened to whatever God has in store for us.

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

MG: Actually, that is for God to know and for us to find out. We are excited about whatever the future may hold, because We feel strongly in our hearts that God is going to use our ministry.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

MG: Not really, it is hard to comment on something you have never experienced, but We feel our goal, once again, is to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we lose that focus, we have lost our mission, no matter where the band is at that time.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

MG: We love to communicate with the audience during the performance, as well as after. You learn a lot about ministry by getting to know your audiences. Also, We feel one of the best times for God to use us is after the performance by allowing audience members to share their joys and concerns with us.

CS: Do you make it a goal to use your music to minister to people? Or do you just write for the sake of writing and performing?

MG: Most definitely, ministry.

CS: What is the message you are trying to get across with your music?

MG: Christ is Lord and Savior of our lives. He brings hope, something that is missing in so many of people’s lives today. By simply accepting Him into our lives, we can begin a new and exciting journey, and not have to do alone. Our wish is that audiences can see Christ through us; we want to be sure that our ministry is “all about Him”, not us.

CS: Do you write your own music? Where do you get ideas for your music?

MG: Yes. Out music comes from life experiences, but most importantly from God.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

MG: You would have to hear us! We are very hard to categorize. We offer a little something for everyone. Everything from acoustic to alternative rock, we adapt well with the event and audience.

CS: How much time do you spend practicing as a group? How much time do you practice individually?

MG: We practice at least once a week. We really enjoy the time together, as well as the practice.

CS: What is the latest news on your group? Any new CD's to be released soon?

MG: We have plans to record another studio CD in the near future, hopefully God willing in Spring 2002. In the meantime we are thinking recording a “live” CD, which will include original material as well as praise and worship music. Our goal is to capture a bit of the live feel. Many people have blessed us with great comments about the “live” sound of the band.

CS: How do you get your name and music out to the public? Who do you go through to cut a cd? Who does promotion of your cd's?

MG: Right now, we are self-promoted, thanks to the dedication of Matthew. Our most recent CD project - “Shower Me” was done completely by ourselves, from the recording to the printing to the distribution. God is Good.

CS: What made you decide to put out your own music? Do you have plans to stay an Indie band? Any plans to sign with a major Label in the near future?

MG: Of course what band would not want to be signed to a major record label. We would love to be, but we’ll let God decide on that one. If it is His wish for us to take our music to a wider range of people via a record contract, we are there to do His will. If it is to remain an Indie band, we will strive to do the best we can.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

MG: Not to be trite, but, turn your eyes upon Jesus!!! Also, stand your ground, don’t let the things of this world water you down!