Electronic rhythms pulsate from speakers inside a fellowship hall. Dj’s wield their skills behind a set of turntables. A group hovers around a Bible and prayers go up. A laptop sends a music stream to listeners across the globe. The So Cal Groove Fellowship is a wide assortment of dj’s, music producers and music enthusiasts who meet together once a month for support, food, a live internet broadcast and networking.

Our So Cal Groove Fellowship was birthed in the early 2000’s at a Denny’s after a talk about a lack of connection among dj’s in the area. We saw all types of ministries pouring out of churches but nothing focused on a key group in our culture; dj’s, electronic music and the club & rave scene.

The idea of SCGF was to bring together EDM dj's, music producers and music enthusiasts, clubbers and ravers who share our faith & trust in Jesus as the only way to receive salvation. A Groove Fellowship should offer a place of spiritual growth, encouragement and help inspire participants to use their talents above and beyond their personal limitations.

A successful Fellowship can be accomplished. First and foremost we suggest prayer and lots of it! Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain (Psalm 127:1) Make sure you are asking for wisdom and guidance. Also seek input from others who have done the Felowships. We are always open to answer questions if you need further guidance.

Another key is committed people. We have seen many people come and go to the dj fellowship. There have only been a select few who are in it to win it. Without people like DJ Shwabang and Mark B, our fellowship would not be what it is. Also, I must add that we lost an integral member, dj404 who was a try blue member.

In the past we have met in my former home in Norco and Corona. We had no problem raising the sound levels at these venues. Our new venue is also a plus because there are no neighbors to complain if the volume is blasting. Make sure your location offers minimum restrictions with sound levels.

What would be a gathering without food? What we have done is have everyone chip in for pizza and beverages or potlucks. Either way get some grub for your groove! Consider all the costs you incur and have members contribute to the expenses for marketing, supplies, food, drink and miscellaneous expenditures.

Publicity and marketing seems to be one of the top factors in the success. We have done much of our marketing via TastyFresh, Myspace and word of mouth. Also, it might be good to design a myspace page and search in your local area for Christian dj’s & producers. I have logged over 15 hrs just searching for them on Myspace. We actually found several prospective GF members through there.

If you can do a live webcast it makes for a more fun and lively fellowship. One time when we were doing the fellowship we invited the pizza delivery guy to get on the mic. For many of the artists & dj's who show up it is their first opportunity to spin live and even better to spin to an audience anywhere in the world.

Here is what a typical fellowship looks like for us.
Set-up 2 hrs before start of 7PM
Prayer
Open decks for an hour and a half
Start live broadcast
Intros/devotion/prayer
Live mixing
Board games, video games and other stuff to make the evening more enjoyable

In the future we plan to do dj clinics/dj training and intro to production. Our hope and goal is that people who attend will walk away feeling more connected to God and to each other, be encouraged and ignited with a renewed passion & vision, that they would consider if they don’t already know how the Lord wants them to be involved and that they would invite a new person for the next one.

Pat D
So Cal Groove Fellowship