PressPause-blue

The hope of Press Pause Ministries is that individuals, groups and organizations would learn to implement pause in their lives so they can experience God in a more personal and transformative way.

 

Why do we care?

Our lives in this 21st century are busy and full to the degree that the thought of slowing our pace escapes us, and the possibility of empty space in our lives is more myth than reality. Too many of us feel that the walls are closing in and the margins of life are small to non-existent. The Creator has woven into the fabric of His relationship with humanity words like Sabbath, rest, waiting and stillness. All these seem to suggest the cessation of movement or activity.

Psalm 118:5
“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord and He brought me into a spacious place.”

When we pause with God long enough to hear His voice, learn about ourselves, and experience transformation, we actually discover His spacious place of life and love and become more effective ministers of His good news. We believe that helping people and organizations learn to pause to be with the Lord will result in greater spiritual health, thus causing their personal and organizational lives to flourish.

Press presspause_icon1 now so that you might experience God’s transforming presence.

 


Jon Byron

Jon Byron is a gifted conference and retreat speaker, singer/songwriter and spiritual director who is able to combine gentle humor, strong Biblical content and practical application into challenging messages. He served for nine years as Pastor of Spiritual Direction on the staff at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto, CA. He also has ministered nationally and internationally through concerts, teaching, evangelizing, and spiritual direction. He has written and produced several recordings including his most recent, “All I Really Need.”

Among his other activities he is a founding member of The Leadership Institute and presently serves on the faculty. Jon travels and ministers on behalf of Press Pause Ministries encouraging individuals and groups to pause and experience God’s transforming presence. He says of himself, “I’m learning each day the necessity and joy of pressing pause to create space in my life to experience the Lord.”

Jon is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and the Monastery of the Risen Christ School for Spiritual Directors. He is married to Francie and they have three children and seven grandchildren.

Statement of Faith

We believe in one God, Creator, personal and triune.

  • We believe in the full authority of the Scriptures.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ, being fully God, became fully human by taking on human flesh through the virgin birth.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ accomplished redemption by His atoning death and bodily resurrection and now lives in glory and will return again.
  • We believe that all who receive Jesus Christ by faith as their own Savior are saved not by personal merit but by Christ’s death and resurrection.
  • We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers every believer that each may be conformed to the image of Christ and united in the fellowship of the Body of Christ, the Church.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ has commissioned all believers to be disciples and then to make disciples, proclaiming the Gospel and expressing God’s mercy and justice to all peoples everywhere.

Services from Press Pause Ministries

Desiring to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and the needs of those to whom we minister we offer a variety of services to help encourage pressing pause.

  • Concerts
  • Bible Teaching/Preaching
  • Teaching and Leading regarding Spiritual Practices
    • Lectio Divina (the devotional reading of Scripture)
    • Solitude and Silence
    • Spiritual Direction (the invitation to a relationship of co-listening for Spirit-led guidance)
    • Experiential Devotions
  • Spiritual Writing
  • Leading Day and Weekend Retreats

These types of experiences could be offered
in contexts like:

  • Church Services or Programs
  • House Concerts (or other venues)
  • Weekend and Day Retreat Opportunities (such as the Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” day retreat, the Leadership Institutes “Journey” retreat, or Mount Hermon’s “Press Pause” Men’s Retreat)
  • Small Cluster/Bible Study Groups
  • Spiritual Direction Appointments
  • Leadership/Staff Retreats and Times of Refreshment
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For further information on scheduling Jon for an event please email Jon Byron through the Contact Form.


What People Are Saying

“I’ve known Jon since I was a young college pastor just starting out in ministry. He’s been a spiritual friend and encourager in my life since then. I admire his gracious, wise and resourceful soul. His ministry is a wonderful and rare combination of musical talent, speaking gifts and a spiritual director’s wisdom. I highly recommend his ministry to you. I have benefitted from it more than I know how to express.”
Alan Fadling, President and Founder of Unhurried Living, Author of An Unhurried Life


“I have known Jon for over 30 years and he has always been dedicated to nurturing depth and facilitating transformation in followers of Christ. His genuine care and gentle challenges to grow flow through both his speaking and singing ministries. Spend any amount of time with Jon and you will be touched by his ministry. More than that, you will be moved to connect more deeply with Christ.”
Jana Sundene, Associate Professor of Christian Ministries, Trinity International University, Author of Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults


“I have known Jon, grown thru Jon and ministered with Jon for over 40 years. HIs richness comes from his long times of communion with His Lord. The impact of His life, songs and teaching are transformational for they occur thru the activity of the Holy Spirit. His communication breadth extends from youth thru older adults. I highly recommended his Press Pause Ministries. Pressing Pause will be a significant time of refreshment, renewal and direction in your life.”
Dr. Chuck Miller, President, Barnabas Inc., Author of The Spiritual Formation of Leaders


Surrender

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live.  Jeremiah 38:17

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  Luke 9:23

When I was 11 years old I attended a church summer camp for a week in the San Bernardino mountains of Southern California. I remember daily various outdoor games we played and being divided up into teams that competed throughout the week. Specifically I remember the tug of war that took place between the combined cabins representing one region and the other side represented by the rival group of cabins. It was a fierce competition, neither side wanting to give up ground to the opposing force. But with time our side began to give way just a little. I had the brilliant idea of tying my leg to the end of the rope in a last ditch effort to hold our ground, but alas, the other team was superior in their pulling power and I began to be dragged across the concrete staging area. Will and stubbornness caused me to foolishly ignore the pleas of my friends to let go and surrender to the other side, but I would not have any of it. The humiliation of defeat and the prospect of surrendering bragging rights just kept me tied to something that was just dragging me down. I ended up with a pretty significant road rash from the ordeal and ultimately had to admit defeat. I hated to lose and surrender to the forces dragging me along and the longer I resisted the more damage my body incurred; all for the sake of something that was so temporal and fleeting. 

There is something about surrender that I find difficult. Surrender never seems to come easy to me. But it often represents the counter-intuitive way of God, though not always the most welcome message or way. In the story of Jeremiah one of the primary themes Jeremiah spoke in the name of the Lord was about surrender. As the forces of the Babylonian empire were invading the land of Judah, his message to the king of Judah, the officials and the people was surrender and you will live. Jeremiah was a contrary voice in the midst of the many voices assuring the people of the time that all would be okay if they just held on, continued to resist and stand their ground. The truth of God’s word was traded for the comfortable, yet misleading messages of the false prophets of the time. 

It was not easy to speak a word that was the exact opposite of what everyone else was saying and everyone else wanted to hear. The king, the officials, the religious leaders and the people all wanted to believe that they would be victorious over the Babylonians. Surrender meant humiliation. Surrender meant a loss of territory. Surrender meant subjugation to someone else’s control and agenda. Though the word of the Lord was to surrender, they chose to not listen to that word but instead take the counsel of false prophets. It did not end well for the king of Judah, his officials, the people or the city of Jerusalem. 

When Jesus was proclaiming the kingdom of God, those listening expected something quite different than the message He spoke. While they expected a message of resistance and overthrow of the Roman occupation, Jesus described His purpose as surrendering His life, suffering death and then rising on the third day. The Messiah was not expected to surrender His life, but to overcome, if needs be by force, the occupying enemy. This message of surrender did not sit well with the religious elite and eventually it cost Jesus His life. But it was His life that He willingly surrendered for the sake of love, forgiveness and redemption. As N.T. Wright explained Jesus, in obedience to His Father, embraced the pain of the cross to then receive the glory of the crown. The way of the king has proven different than we might imagine.

He has now called those who would follow in His way to surrender daily their lives and follow Him. It seems that to truly experience the new life of the kingdom over which Jesus reigns one cannot escape surrender. It is the very thing we are reminded to practice in the Lenten season. It is still a hard message to receive and fortunately we are aided in our efforts to surrender by the promise and presence of the Spirit of Christ. 

I still struggle with the practice and possibly the stigma of surrendering. I still want to win the game and not face the humiliation of losing. But possibly the way to truly win is to let go and surrender to the One who loves me enough to surrender and give His life for me and lead the way to His eternal kingdom. I am learning this lesson daily and seeking to listen more closely to His voice as He points out every opportunity to surrender to His way. 

As you continue in this Lenten season, may you hear the message of surrender that invites you to let go of those false gods and hopes to which you have tied yourself. These false gods and false hopes will ultimately drag you down.  Instead embrace the opportunity to surrender to the love and grace of Jesus and His way that leads to the glorious outcomes God intends for you. 

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Tools for Life & Ministry

Visio Divina Ideas
Press presspause_icon_w now so that you might experience God’s transforming presence.


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Calendar

January 2019

January 6, 2019-Cornerstone Community Church, Chowchilla, CA, Preach and Sing
January 16-19, 2019-Journey Retreat-Paso Robles, CA, Teach, Lead Worship and Concert

February 2019

February 9, 2019- Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” Day Retreat, Modesto, CA, Teach
February 10, 2019-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA., Music

March 2019

March 16-17, 2019-Valley Church, Cupertino, CA-“Be Still” Day Retreat, Saturday Evening Concert, Lead Sunday Worship

April 2019

May 2019

May 7-10, 2019-Journey Retreat, Pine Springs Retreat Center, Mountain Center, CA.-Teach and Lead worship
May 18, 2019-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” day retreat, Modesto, CA, Teach

June 2019

June 30,2019-Escalon Presbyterian Church, 10:30 AM Worship & special music, Escalon, CA

July 2019

July 21, 2019-Cornerstone Community Church, Chowchilla, CA-AM Worship Service, Preach and Sing,
July 24, 2019-Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church-Orange City Iowa-Wednesday Evening House Concert
July 26, 2019-Orchard Hill Church, Grundy Center, IA, Friday Evening House Concert
July 28, 2019-GracePoint Church, New Brighton, MN, Morning Service-Preach and Sing

August 2019

August 2, 2019-Rhythm of Grace, Prairie Ridge, KS- Friday Evening House Concert/Cantus Divina
August 24, 2019-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” Day Retreat 9AM-4PM-Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA
August 25, 2019-Santiago House Concert, 6:30 PM-Arroyo Grande, CA

September 2019

September 13, 2019-Stephan House Concert, 6 PM- San Mateo, CA

October 2019

October 1-4, 2019-TLI Journey Retreat, Pine Springs Ranch, Mountain Center, CA-Teach/Worship
October 13, 2019-Escalon Presbyterian Church 10:30AM Worship Service-Preach/Sing
October 27, 2019-Escalon Presbyterian Church 4PM-6PM-Teach on Healthy Spiritual Rhythms

November 2019

November 2, 2019-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” day retreat 9AM-4PM-Modesto, CA

December 2019

December 8, 2019-Press Pause Ministries Christmas Gathering-Modesto, CA-Teach/Sing

January 2020

January 19, 2020-First Presbyterian Church Upton-Upton, CA-Sing in Worship Service.
January 26, 2020-Escalon Presbyterian Church-Escalon, CA-Evening Concert 6:30 PM

February 2020

February 1, 2020-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” day retreat 9AM-4PM-Modesto, CA
February 2, 2020-Escalon Presbyterian Church-Escalon, CA-Worship Morning Service

March 2020

Due to the Pandemic most in person ministry dates were postponed or cancelled.

April 2020

Due to the Pandemic most in person ministry dates were postponed or cancelled.

May 2020

Due to the Pandemic most in person ministry dates were postponed or cancelled.
May 16, 2020-Press Pause Ministries Virtual “Be Still” Day Retreat, 9AM-4PM

June 2020

Due to the Pandemic most in person ministry dates were postponed or cancelled.

July 2020

Due to the Pandemic most in person ministry dates were postponed or cancelled.
July 19, 2020-Southside Community Church-Preach & Sing

August 2020

Due to the Pandemic most in person ministry dates were postponed or cancelled.
August 22, 2020-Press Pause Ministries Virtual “Be Still” Day Retreat, 9AM-4PM

September 2020

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom

October 2020

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly
October 4, 2020-Escalon Presbyterian Church-assist as musician in worship service
October 11, 2020-Escalon Presbyterian Church-assist as musician in worship service
October 18, 2020-Escalon Presbyterian Church-assist as musician in worship service

November 2020

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly
November 14, 2020-Press Pause Ministries Virtual “Be Still” Day Retreat on Zoom, 9AM-4PM

December 2020

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly
December 27, 2020-Southside Community Church-Preach & Sing Morning

January 2021

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

February 2021

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly
February 6, 2021-Press Pause Ministries Virtual “Be Still” Day Retreat on Zoom, 9AM-4PM

March 2021

Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

April 2021

April 21-27-TLI Journey Appalachia-Teach and Sing-Knoxville, TN
Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

May 2021

May 22, 2021-Press Pause Ministries Virtual “Be Still” day retreat
May 2, 9, 16, 23-Escalon Presbyterian Church-Teach on Personal Bible Study-Four Sundays at 9AM
Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

June 2021

June 13, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church-assist as musician in worship service-Special music
Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

July 2021

July 4, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church-assist as musician in worship service
July 18, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church-assist as musician in worship service
July 23, 2021-Orchard Hill Church, Grundy Center, IA, Friday Evening House Concert
July 25, 2021-Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina, MN, Sunday 9AM service-Lead Worship
July 28, 2021-Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church-Orange City Iowa-Wednesday Evening House Concert
Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

August 2021

August 1, 2021-GracePoint Church, New Brighton, MN, Morning Service-Preach/Sing-Evening Concert
August 4, 2021-Lakes Free Church, Lindstrom, MN-Evening Concert
August 21, 2021-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” day retreat 9AM-4PM, Wellspring Church, Pacific Grove, CA
Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly

September 2021

September 18, 2021-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” day retreat 9AM-4PM (Postponed)
Lectio Divina at Noon-Every Thursday from 12PM until 1PM on Zoom
Various Spiritual Direction Appointments-Weekly
September 26, 2021-Church of the Cross Modesto, CA-Preaching

October 2021

October 3, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA-assist as musician in morning worship service
October 10, 2021-First Presbyterian Church, Upland, CA-Morning
Special Music
October 17, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA-Lead morning worship
October 22, 2021-Journey Nigeria Zoom Presentation on worship
October 26-28, 2021-Journey Retreat Pine Spring Ranch, Mountain Center, CA-Teach/Lead Worship

November 2021

November 13, 2021-Press Pause Ministries Virtual “Be Still” Day Retreat
November 21-Cornerstone Church, Chowchilla, CA, Preach
November 28, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA-Lead morning worship

December 2021

December 5, 12, 19, 2021-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA, Teach Adult Class
December 26-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA, Preach

January 2022

January 30, 2022-Escalon Presbyterian Church-Escalon, CA-Preach/sing

February 2022

February 5, 2022-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” Day Retreat-Modesto, CA
February 27, 2022-Community Baptist Church-Waterford, CA-Preach/Sing

March 2022

March 27, 2022-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA-morning worship

April 2022

April 10, 2022-First Presbyterian Church, Upland, CA-Morning
Special Music
April 24, 2022-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA, Worship & Preach

May 2022

May 13, 2022-Worship at the Barn, Escalon, CA-Worship
May 14, 2022-Press Pause Ministries “Be Still” Day Retreat-Modesto, CA
May 26, 2022-Ripon Farmer’s Market, Ripon, CA-Play Music from 5PM-8PM

June 2022

June 5, 2022-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA-morning worship
June 12, 2022-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA, Worship & Preach
June 12, 2022-Escalon Presbyterian Church, Escalon, CA,Teach at “Rooted” Evening Event
June 30, 2022-Ripon Farmer’s Market, Ripon, CA-Play Music from 5PM-8PM

July 2022

July 8, 2022-Rundlett House Concert, El Cajon, CA-Concert begins at 7PM
July 10, 2022-Southpoint Church, Chula Vista, CA-Preach and Sing in Morning Service
July 22, 2022-Steenhoek House Concert (Orchard Hill Community Church) Grundy Center, Iowa-Evening Concert
July 24, 2022-GracePoint Church, New Brighton, MN-Morning Service Preach and Sing

August 2022

August 25, 2022-Ripon Farmer’s Market, Ripon, CA-Play Music from 5PM-8PM

July 2023

July 5-House Concert-Hosted by Brian & Lynn Battey-Ocala, FL

July 8-9-Shoreline Church-Facilitating Hearing God”day and leadership training-Knoxville, TN

July 12-Mount Pleasant Baptist Church-Teaching/Music-Wilkesboro, NC

July 16-Vandergrift Presbyterian Church-AM Preaching/PM Concert-Vandergrift, PA

July 18-Atlantic Shores Baptist Church-Leading/teaching Staff-Virginia Beach, VA

July 21-House Concert-Hosted by Craig & Angela Ruder-York, PA

July 26-House Concert-Hosted by Mark & Barby Schwarz-Orange City, IA

August 2023

August 26-“Be Still” Day Retreat-Wellspring Church-Pacific Grove, CA

 

Music

Send a check payable to Jon Byron for the price of the CD plus $2 shipping and handling. Please mail your check to: Jon Byron, 4413 Touraine Parc Lane, Modesto, CA 95356. Or you can order at www.cdbaby.com or Itunes.

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All I Really Need – $15

Available on cdbaby.com and itunes.

“Goodbye”
“Be Still”

09-1

Holy Dance – $15

Available on cdbaby.com and itunes.

“The Rustling Of The Leaves”

MoreBeneaththeSurface

More Beneath The Surface – Double CD $25

Available on cdbaby.com and itunes.

“I Turn To You”

11-1

This Heart Of Mine

Only available as a digital download on itunes.

“The Wind That Blows”

Contact Us

For more information about Press Pause, or Jon Byron, you may contact us at 209-556-7389, or please contact using the form below:

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