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RuwA' Ministries is an American Christian rock band formed in Sierra Vista, Arizona in September of 2005. The band currently consists of Dustin Cloos (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jeremy Davenport (lead guitar, backup vocals) and drummer Tito Martinez. The band released its first album, Letters to the Lost digitally in May 2010, with a hard-copy release following in April 2011. The band is a self-described "music ministry" with a specific focus on Evangelism.

Early years (2005–2010)
RuwA' Ministries formed in September 2005 when the three founding members, Dustin Cloos, Jeremy Davenport, and Jason Rains met after being stationed together at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. The three founding members played together until September of 2009 when backing vocals and rhythm guitarist Jason Rains parted ways with the band. In 2008, drummer Anthony Burford was replaced by current drummer Tito Martinez, and in April 2010, previous bass player Neil Talent was replaced by current bass player Shaun Howard. The four current band members, Cloos, Davenport, Martinez, and Howard have been playing together as a group since April 2010.

One topic that comes up often is the origin of the band name RuwA'. RUWA is the Hebrew word for "raising a shout of battle, triumph, or joy". The band, having a specific focus of Evangelism, identifies themselves as a music ministry with goals to expose every person to the word of God through music.

Letters to the Lost (2010-present)
RuwA's most recent studio album is Letters to the Lost which is available for download for free at Purevolume or for purchase at CD Baby, Amazon, or iTunes. The album contains twelve tracks and was released digitally in May 2010 with a hard-copy release following in April 2011. For this album, vocalist Dustin Cloos is credited with the album lyrics with music written by lead guitarist Jeremy Davenport.

"Tara's Song" was written from band member's personal experience, and vocalist Dustin Cloos also helped to compose the music on the track. The following Bible scriptures are referenced: (PS 103:20) and (1 Peter 5:7). Previous to "Letters to the Lost", this track was featured on the album "Arizona Rockers for Life 2007" which was produced by Illumina, a company which produces anti-drunk driving cd compilations in other states throughout the U.S.

"We Need You" was written by vocalist Dustin Cloos, Antoine Todd, and Shirley Shelton, friends of the band. The following Bible scriptures are referenced: (Matthew 7:1-5), (Matthew 11:28-30) and (Colossians 1:27).

"Clouded Mind" was co-composed by rhythm guitarist Jason Rains. The following Bible scriptures are referenced: (1 Corinthians 10:13) and (Romans 1:17).

The title track "Letters to the Lost" was co-written by lead guitarist Jeremy Davenport. The following Bible scriptures are referenced: (Colossians 1:14), (Ephesians 5:18), (Proverbs 28:1), (Corinthians 9:27), (1 Thessalonians 5:23), (Romans 10:9-11), (Hebrews 13:5), (Proverbs 3:5-6), (Isaiah 64:6) and (2 Corinthians 5:21).

"Glorify" is the next track followed by

"Battle" which was co-written and co-composed by Shirley Shelton. The following Bible scriptures are referenced: (Ephesians 1:7), (1 Peter 2:24), (John 8:36), (Luke 15:11-32), (John 10:10) and (John 8:32). In "Shame", the following Bible scriptures are referenced: (Romans 1:25), (Romans 8:6), Deuteronomy 30:19) and (Proverbs 28). "91" references Bible scriptures (Psalm 91) and (Revelation 8:3).

"War", which was co-written and co-composed by friend of the band Shirley Shelton contains references to Bible scriptures (Ephesians 6:10-17), (Hebrews 10:23), (John 13:17), (John 10:10), (2 Corinthians 2:14) and (Revelation 20:10).

"Ehyeh (Hey Yah)" was co-written by friend of the band Antoine Todd and also features his vocals in a lengthy bridge.

"No Ordinary Man", which was co-composed by lead vocalist Dustin Cloos, references the following Bible scriptures: (Pslam 8:5), (Ephesians 1:7), (2 Corinthians 5:21), (Luke 22:42), (Matthew 27:46), (1 John 3:2), (Romans 8:32), (2 Timothy 3:11-12), (Matthew 6:10) and (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Influences
The band derives many of their song lyrics from scripture, and first and foremost, "The Holy Spirit" is cited as their number one musical influence on the band's Facebook page.

Band influences include Pillar, Project 86, Skillet, Disciple, U2, and SonicFlood.

Touring
On January 15, 2011, RuwA' appeared on the Community Stage at the Phoenix, AZ Rage Music Festival 2011, presented by MC Productions and Extreme Faith Productions.

Currently, the band plays weekly at Kino Chapel at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

The band is often accompanied by friends when playing gigs in, and outside of their usual routine. Mike Dawson and Trent Perkins regularly accompany the band as keyboardists, and lead vocalist Dustin Cloos's daughter, C'era Cloos, sings with the band on occasion as well.

Band members

 * Current
 * Dustin Cloos – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2005–present)
 * Jeremy Davenport – lead guitar, backing vocals, (2005–present)
 * Tito Martinez – percussion, (2008–present)
 * Shaun Howard – bass (2010-present)


 * Former
 * Jason Rains – backing vocals, rhythm guitar (2005-2009)
 * Anthony Burford – drummer (2007-2008)
 * Neil Talent – bass (2009–2010)


 * Touring
 * Mike Dawson – keyboardist
 * Trent Perkins – keyboardist
 * C'era Cloos – vocals

Discography

 * Letters to the Lost (2010)