Dan Bursey is a youth pastor and singer/songwriter from Lewisporte, NL Canada. Here is part of his story...
In a grocery store in a small town in Newfoundland Canada, a young man named Dan is buying some last minute groceries on his way home from work. For years, he has been writing lyrics, playing his unique blend of acoustic folk, blues and jazz, developing a stage presence that puts his audience at ease... all one day hoping that he might be able to record a CD that reflects his unique voice in contemporary Christian Music. After all, why keep writing if no one will ever hear your songs? As he leaves the store, his eyes are caught by a poster on the bulletin board. It is a notice for a songwriting competition called One Of A Kind.
Fast forward a year and a half to July 2008... Dan is now staring at a box of CDs that have his name on them. Sure he has contributed to the One of a Kind compilation album, having been chosen as one of twelve winning songwriters from across Newfoundland and Labrador. And he was part of Hope In The Midst of a Storm - a fundraising album for the Janeway Children's Hospital in St. John's. But there is something different about this...These CDs carry 14 of his original compositions. Songs that he has labored over, been inspired by, and been brought to tears by. The reality of his own vulnerability is now staring him in the face. These are not just songs to him...they are pieces of his very soul.
"Wounded", for instance, was written as Dan thought about the plight of over a million orphans in Malawi alone. What does God feel for those children?
"Not Be Afraid" was crafted just after his father was cleared of cancer. Later, when that cancer would return, the song would bring comfort.
"Oddity" and "Like Your Love" were written in quiet times of reflection on the nature and love of God, and are the fruits of a desire to have his love proclaimed in fresh, unique ways.
"Create In Me" would later be described as a "modern day Psalm, pulled from the heart of a troubadour."
Some were written quickly, while others took years to percolate. Some are simple in their message, while others have been described as esoteric.
So now, the journey begins for this father of three, husband of one. But it isn't just about the music. The message of "Hope Will Rise" is one that needs to be heard in times like ours.
And so... as he stares at the open box of CDs on the living room floor, he is struck but the overwhelming question that burns the soul of every new artist...
"How in the world am I going to pay for all these CDs?"