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

2015 Men's Reflective Highlight from Mount Hermon on Vimeo.

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

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

Echoes Of Christmas

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord…“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-11, 14

When I was a young boy I was fascinated by the idea of an echo. When we would take family vacations in the mountains I would typically stand on an overlook and yell out my name as loud as I could hoping to hear the mountains call back to me. It wasn’t until later in life during time spent in a recording studio that I experienced the repeating of sound known as an echo (though artificially produced). The effect of echo reflected and duplicated the original sound giving it a more expansive feeling. Used judiciously it was a means of enhancing the sound and carrying it further.

It is December 26, the day after Christmas, and the proclamation and celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth has taken place. There are various feelings and responses that show up the next day. For some there is a sense of let down because the day didn’t fulfill their expectations. For some the event itself was barely a blip on the radar screen of life and they have moved on to the next day, the next pressing agenda item, the next task or the next event. For some there is a new sense of peace and a renewed sense of hope. I’m sure there are many other feelings and responses as well. Though on the calendar the event has passed, the ramifications of the day continue to unfold. There is an echo that continues to reverberate through the coming days.

The Christmas story was set in a small town and introduced to obscure shepherds. It was a proclamation of good news for all the world, for all humanity. It was a message revealed by angels in the heavens and it promised that in the birth of Jesus, God’s grace, peace and salvation was available for all to experience.

The message the angels proclaimed in the heavens the shepherds echoed as they found the Christ child in a manger and told all of what they had experienced and heard. And the echoes of that message continue to be expressed throughout all time. As the day has passed we too can reflect the echo of that good news as we share God’s grace, love and peace with the world around us, as we proclaim that salvation, transformation and new life have come in Jesus. The song of the angels is meant to bounce and reflect off the surface of the ordinary lives of people like you and me. The telling of the story, the proclamation of good news continues as we face the incarnate Word and reflect His words of love and grace into this broken, hurting and desperate world. Our very lives can be and should be an echo of His sacrificial life and love.

As you find yourself moving through the days of this week, into the new year ahead, in what ways might you better reflect and echo the message of good news through all your life? It is the opportunity we have as the day has passed to further express the life-changing story into the future before us. We continue to celebrate and echo the message because the good news for us is present in Jesus every day and for all eternity. May you find in these days following His birth the message of good news reverberating off the walls of your soul and beyond into the world that God so faithfully loves. May you be a living echo of Jesus and His love. Here is a song of this season on which to reflect.

>> Click here to Read more

Tools for Life & Ministry

Devotionals for Individuals & Groups

Psalm 84 – Meditation

Lectio Divina

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

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

You can use the paypal button to show your support for Press Pause Ministries.

One Time Donation

Reoccurring Donation

Or you can print this form and mail in a donation as well to Press Pause Ministries, P.O. Box 413, Salida, CA 95368. All gifts are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support.

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.

All I Really Need – $15

Available on cdbaby.com and itunes.

“Goodbye”

“Be Still”

Holy Dance – $15

Available on cdbaby.com and itunes.

“The Rustling Of The Leaves”

More Beneath The Surface – Double CD $25

Available on cdbaby.com and itunes.

“I Turn To You”

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: