Happy Easter 2009

From all of us here at Maack Ministries to you, have a great Easter this 2009. May we never forget the cost of the cross and the miracle of resurrection that Jesus performed to give each person in history, present, and future a chance of eternal life.

Jesus Lives!

Desert Oasis Quartet Personnel Changes

The Desert Oasis Quartet announces personnel changes that took effect earlier this month of March.

After the quartet reformed in 2008, Bob Fincher became the group’s tenor and spokesman. However, he resigned from the group late last year to focus on other commitments he had made.

In January 2009, longtime lead singer and founder, Daniel Burritt, resigned to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family. Daniel had been the group’s only lead singer in its ten-plus year existence.

“I will miss these two individuals and all they brought to the quartet,” says current baritone and pianist Nathan Maack, “Each one brought something special to the group and their voices and presence will be missed but never forgotten. They continue to be friends and both Ron and I support the directions they have taken.”

Nathan Maack and Ron Brinkman (bass) continue with Desert Oasis as co-owners. Nathan handles the music and performance aspects of the group and Ron handles the business-end of things.

In November 2008, Desert Oasis welcomed Bud Burt to the tenor position. He along with his wife currently lives in Wickenburg, Arizona, but is considering moving back to the Phoenix area. He has sung in different quartets throughout his life so is no stranger to the four-part harmonies. Bud is over 80 years old and enjoying every day.

In March 2009, Desert Oasis asked Gary Burt, Bud’s son, to join the group as the lead singer. Gary and his wife live in the Phoenix area. This is Gary’s first job in a quartet and is doing a tremendous job.

Sunday, March 29, the new Desert Oasis lineup sang in two Bible Study classes at their home church as part of their “Sunday School Tour.” Both classes seemed to enjoy the singing. Three songs were sung in each class, At Calvary, Have Thine Own Way, and Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.

Merry Christmas 2008

From all of us at Maack Ministries, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

It's still amazing to think that the Son of God (Jesus) would leave the perfect world of heaven and come down to this sinful world as a tiny baby not able to take care of himself. That's how much He loves us. He left everything for and we gave Him nothing. And He knew that before entering this planet.

Enjoy the family and friends, the food, and the gifts - especially the gift of everlasting life!

A Simple Christmas

Nathan Maack just released his Christmas gift to everyone for 2008. Free Christmas arrangements played on the piano as only Nathan can. Listen to classic Christmas carols and songs that you have listened to and sung along with your entire life.

Presented in MP3 format, these songs can be listened to on the computer or can be saved onto your hard drive and burned onto your own CD or put on your MP3 player.

If you enjoy this gift, please e-mail Nathan at the e-mail address on the Christmas page and let him know. Tell everyone about the music for others to enjoy the sounds of Christmas.

maackonline.com/christmas

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Desert Oasis Sings

Last night, July 6, the Desert Oasis Quartet officially launched their music ministry by singing during the evening service at Palmcroft Baptist Church. This after an almost eight year hiatus.

The group sang the great hymn "He Hideth My Soul" complete with solos and key changes.

Many were excited to see the quartet sing again at the church and some have asked for the four to sing once a month.

"We don't know if that will happen but we're excited about the future and look forward to singing many more times at our home church and other places" says group baritone and pianist Nathan Maack.

We hope to have an audio or video posted on the website soon.

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Temporary E-mail Address

It has come to our attention at MaackOnline.com that the e-mail addresses we have set up on the website are not properly working. Although we do not know how long the e-mails have not functioned, we know it has been several weeks.

If you have tried to contact Nathan Maack or Maack Ministries and could not get connected, we apologize for the inconvenience. We are working with our hosting service to correct this problem.

As of today, we have temporary links to a working e-mail address where you can contact the ministries and Nathan. Please feel free to use it any time.

The temporary e-mail address is: maackministries@gmail.com.

We will update you when the official e-mail addresses are working.

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Desert Oasis Quartet

Fans of Maack Ministries throughout the past 11 years will remember the premier quartet that took stage in the Southwest. In 2001, the part-time group disbanded and each group member went their separate ways.

On Sunday, May 25, the Desert Oasis Quartet will reunite with a concert appearance at their home church Palmcroft Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Original group members Daniel Burritt (lead) and Nathan Maack (baritone/pianist) welcome back Ron Brinkman (bass) who sang with the group when they started their concert ministry and newcomer Bob Fincher (tenor).

This is just the first of what will be many future appearances. They will primarily sing at their home church but have not ruled out concerts later this year or next year.

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