The Studio

What People Are Saying



What People Are Saying

Annette D.
I thank God for Art and Donna Ellingson who have a real heart for kids and have provided a place for them to hang out, to ask questions when they have one, to share their problems and get possible help, and to hear the gospel presented on their 'First Wednesday' evenings, as well as special events they have.  The Truth Project sessions that are going on right now are tremendous - so needful in these days.  I've appreciated getting to know more kids, and to realize the great need of   ministry in prayer for them.

Christie H.
"I used to be really involved in church activities and be one of those christians where they'd jump around and praise God the way that people thought was crazy.

Then I ended up moving. I moved six times in one year and I was lucky that I finished school that year. I stopped going to church. My mom started doing drugs again and I moved in with my grandma. My grandma and grandpa were both druggies, they both drank and my grandma smoked pot. I got involved with the drugs and alcohal. I partyed every weekend and hung out with the wrong crowed. I dated guys that were older and that I shouldn't of been dating. I got pregnant and then lost the baby at 3 months and then ended up moving here. I
totally lost sight of God and what He wanted me to do. The only one I cared about was me and I lost most of my friends. I let them down. My best friend even left me and I've known her about 9 years now. If only I would have listened to others I wouldn't of been like this. When I moved here I was mad at the entire world and after a week or so I realized that moving was for the better not the worst. I've been back on track and going to church and I just want people to know that God works in mysterious ways to change someone around and that's what He did to me.

I think that the studio is a great place for teens to get closer to God and that means a lot to me. Not only does it make me feel that Gods in the place when we're worshiping and having sharing time, but it gives me an opportunity to get closer to Him and to witness to others. It also lets me share my talents with others and do what I love to do. With out the studio some
kids would still be lost.
Thanks for everything Art and God Bless."


Sonny S.
"It has been long time seens I have written to you, so I just thought that I wanted to. Everything in Denmark is as normal school is really good and I am graduating this summer, I am looking forward to that. My relationship with God is really good and I have been talking to alot about him and why he is so important for everyone, but it is hard, Christian people is not well seen in Denmark, the like science, but I dont care God is my savier and noone can take that from me."


Pia E.
“I came to Mt. Lake in August 2000 from Helsinki, Finland as an exchange student. At that time I was a baptized and confirmed Lutheran, but God wasn’t a part of my life. In September I was invited to go to First Wednesday. I went even though I didn’t really know what it was. It didn’t take me very long to discover that it was all about - Jesus Christ. Since I wasn’t a Christian, I started feeling as if I didn’t belong there. I felt evil, worthless and hated. I escaped, thinking - “I’ll never go there again.” Months went by and I made many Christian friends. Every month I was asked to go to First Wednesday, but I didn’t go. In a way I wanted to, but I was afraid of not being accepted - Ifelt as if I was not good enough. Finally, on January 3rd I returned to First Wednesday. My friend had called
me just minutes before she was going to sing, and wanted me to be there. During the songs,
sharing, and a “sermon” by a student a weird feeling grew inside of me. Finally during a song (I Surrender All), when we were all on our knees, I confessed my sinfulness to Jesus and asked for His forgiveness, for Him to be my Savior and Lord. God worked through my friends and the setting and spirit-filled atmosphere of First Wednesday to open my heart to Him. First Wednesday became the highlight of the month, which I anxiously looked forward to being able to come together with other young believers to worship our Lord. When I became a believer, I became a whole new person. Now my life has a direction, and my heart is filled with joy, because I know that I am saved.”


Holly D.
“The studio has completely shaped the person I am today. I am one of the fortunate people that have grown up with the studio as a major influence in my teen years, (when i really needed it!). the studio has kept me accountable in my relationship with Christ and others. it's so awesome that kids can come together and unite under one common purpose. kids are so much more open to worship together than they would ever be in their church. a lot of people think we're in "that dark studio" playing loud, raucous, heathen music, but if you were to walk in and see all the hands lifted in praise and the voices filling the room with their love and admiration for their God, it would be so much easier to look past the graffiti and the flashing lights and the loud drums. The studio is almost like a sanctuary to the youth in town, it's where we come when we're spiritually dry, when everything seems to be falling apart,or when we think there's nowhere else to turn. This studio has been a complete blessing in my life and others.”


Kevin D.
I really appreciate the hard work and time u put into the studio, and first Wednesday. Each time I can't wait to go to First Wednesday. It really helps me stay on track in my spiritual walk. Thanks sooo much!!!


Jamie S.
Thank you for your felicity at Mountain Lake. My short yet sweet experience there proved to be a wonderful blessing with all honesty. I came to first Wednesday in March with the covenant youth group to bless you guys with worship and testimony.

The experiences of the place and the spirit of the body of Christ was definitely evident there and captivated my attention and blessed me by encouragement and filling of the Holy Spirit more than I could have expected.

Thank you for a place for the Holy Spirit to be invited, because my generation longs for a place like this---Satan has tried to steal these kinds of places away from us over time, in our schools...etc, ---and here we have found a freedom to praise God and express the deep love we've found in him openly----the blessing is greater than can be described....and this was completely and truthfully evident in my visit to The Studio.


Lacey G.
U r truly a good person! Thanx

hey, thank u so much for the advice, i guess it's kewl now, maybe it was just a stage, but the praying for kacey really hit me. I have not been a good, good Christian lately. not praying often, not doing devotions, i guess i just get caught up in my life. i am gonna work hard on it this week. Anyways i have no idea what is goin on. i have not been able to go to a single one of the concerts the are at The Studio. I really really really wanted to go and bring Amber to the one may 10th , but we were gone in the cities. It's like Satan is doing everything he can to stop me from going. i even promised myself i was gonna go, but things come up. Thank u for the offer of getting in free anyways, but i am glad to pay. you need the money anyways to run that place, and i think it is great that u adopted that kid
or whatever. i put money in the jar the last time for him. how is he doing? well i will be at 1st Wednesday, and maybe i could bring Amber. So is there a concert in June? fill me in, because this time no matter what, i am coming. Even if i have to... well trust me I'll be there. thanks again for
everything. You r like a role model, or hero or something to me. thanks!



What the Local Church has to say about the ministry:

I'm writing in regards to the YFC Studio in Mountain Lake. First Wednesday is a great opportunity for the youth to come together to worship in a non-traditional setting that is comfortable and all encompassing. Art Ellingson does a wonderful job making sure that individuals of all denominations are welcome and feel comfortable in this setting. During this totally youth led worship experience, youth have the opportunity to sing praise songs, share prayer concerns, pray for others, meet new people, help sponsor a child, etc. There are also special Christian concerts on weekends. Art makes sure this time is totally planned and led by youth from around the area. I know the youth from my church (American Lutheran Church of Windom) look forward to this time every month. I have seen growth in many of my youth because of this unique opportunity. My youth are sharing more, worshiping more openly, and trying to get involved both in and out of the church setting. My prayer is to see "First Wednesday" grow. Even though the "program" is focusing on youth, I benefit greatly from this evening of praise and worship. Art works so hard to make this evening a success for all involved. God has blessed him with a vision and a desire to help touch the hearts of our youth.

Youth Pastor Megan Myhre
American Lutheran Church
Windom, MN



The ministry at Mountain Lake has been an effective one by far! Not only does it hit the spiritual side of things with young people, but it also teaches young people initiative, seeing how they conduct 1st Wed. themselves, as Art as the facilitator for the evening. The ministry of MThe Studio offers involvement in many certain areas in helping with 1st Wednesdays, teachings about sound equipment, organizing concerts and the relationships that are built there are not only positive but everlasting. The ministry takes them from a negative environment and places them in a positive environment where they will not only learn about practical things in life, but also the one who can help them out in their everyday lives (Jesus). Art's willingness and his ministry has not only been a blessing to our youth ministry here in Sherburn, but has also been an encouragement in seeing the difference The Studio is making in the lives of the young people in Mountain Lake! I would recommend anyone to join and come along side of the ministry of the Mountain Lake Music Studio!

Youth Pastor Jacob Wallace
Sherburn Assembly of God
Sherburn, MN




Our youth group has visited First Wednesday services a few times and also participated in an outreach concert. We witnessed powerful times of worship and sharing. They were very seeker and youth friendly. The ministry that Art has founded has hit the balance I'm looking for: Sharing God's love in a way that is relevant, honest and respectful. It would be wonderful to see this model of ministry replicated in our community of Redwood Falls. I appreciate Art's servant heart and willingness to assist us toward this vision.

Pastor Russ Jacobsen
Redwood Alliance Church
Redwood Falls, MN




Art has demonstrated the ability to balance the need for guidance of Youth and the need to empower young believers to embrace ministry among their peers in First Wednesday events and organization. While he provides a safe and decidedly Christian atmosphere for these events, he exercises less control than some others might. In so doing he draws local youth into formative leadership roles. He also causes the outreach to be focused on the peer level.

Over the past year or two, a number of Youth have committed themselves to Christ largely through the influence of the music studio ministry. Youth are positively influenced for Christ by observing the joy of the worship, the openness of those who come.

Pastor George O’Reilly
Bethel Mennonite Church
Mtn. Lake, MN