FREEDOM!!!!!

Michael Vick was released from federal prison early this morning and is on his way back to Hampton to serve the rest of his sentence (2 months) on house arrest.

Granted, Vick stumbled in a HUGE way with this whole dogfighting thing, way out of line. But, as a lifelong Virginia Tech football fan, I still remember him as that amazing freshmen QB that led us to the National Championship game (which was stolen from us by Chris Weinke, who was like 28 years old, and Peter Warrick, who got out of some trouble with the law so he could play in the game). I know that everyone’s views (including my own) about Michael Vick have changed due to his choices, but I won’t ever forget watching my favorite Hokie put VT on the map.

Tech football fans: Remember Jim Druckenmiller!? DAAA MAN!

peep the album!

why hello.

I’m not sure if I ever posted the link for our new album. It’s available online at Digstation, so if you’d like to check it out then click here!

hope everyone’s having an amazing week!

big names

I’ve been convicted alot recently about my desire to be like, or to even allow myself to be impacted by, these “big name” Christian leaders. If you’ve ever spent more than 30 minutes with me, you know that I really look up to Kristian Stanfill and Steve Fee as worship leaders, and I incorporate alot of what they do into leading worship at my home church. But as I continue to learn more about ministry, I’m starting to see the same few names everywhere. When I look up information about what churches are doing cool things to reach lost people, or about which churches are blowing up, I keep seeing the same names.

Now, please don’t think that I’m one of those people who believes that we can’t look up to people. As I previously stated, I have shaped much of my ministry as a worship leader on what I have seen and been impacted by from Kristian and Steve. But, I feel like there is a line that is being crossed in many situations these days.

Why do we feel like we have to go to conferences to be influenced? Why do we need to listen to a certain man or woman tell us how to do ministry, and what works and what doesn’t? Why does it take three days, great speakers, awesome worship, and a large group of people to make us want to step up and do ministry better?

Please, don’t think I’m bashing going to conferences. I LOVE Passion and I truly believe that it’s making a huge impact on college campuses. I also would have gone to WiBo, but I had college. LAME.

There’s no real reason for writing this, but I just want to challenge you to do ministry, now! Don’t wait to do something big until after Passion, or after Catalyst, or after Echo, or after whatever other conference you go to. The people who you look up to are where they are because they studied the Word and know it well! If you’re a church planter, before looking to the biggest name in church planting today, why not look at Paul and see what he did in the book of Acts. Maybe there are some good ideas for church planting right there…

summer begins

so it’s officially summer. praise God. I am so thankful that I get to take a solid three months away from worrying about classes, grades, papers, etc.

this summer is shaping up to be a big one. there are so many things happening that it’s good that I won’t be worrying about classes, cause I won’t have time.

I’m super stoked to have the opportunity to work alot this summer with Jamie and the team at Aletheia Norfolk, as they continue to grow and make disciples. The Lord is going to do an amazing thing at that church this summer, and I’m just pumped that I’ll get to be around for a little bit of it.

Also, Meghan and Jayson are getting married in less than two weeks. HOLY CRAP!

AND! We are recording an album with my boy Keilan and the band from Aletheia Richmond this summer!! This might be one of the things that I’m most excited about for the summer. We’re gonna have such an awesome time. I’m getting lunch with him in Richmond tomorrow to start talking about it. STOKED.

And of course, we’re pumped about the arrival of our new pastors to Aletheia Harrisonburg, Paul Fiske and Dave Earley. I’ll have to write separate blogs about each of them, but these men are incredible and they are going to be used in such a huge way by our Lord once they get here. We’re beyond lucky to have them on board.

So, the summer is going to be rockin. Here are a few things to pray for:

- Meg and Jay’s marriage (that it would be freakin amazing!)
- For Groove’s house to sell (and for Paul and Kelly to find an awesome place, close to campus and the church)
- Jamie and all the leaders at Aletheia Norfolk
- My grandfather (“Papa”) had a stroke a bit back, but he’s recovering so well and still as funny as ever
- Every aspect of the Aletheia Richmond album (we might have to record it without Graham…HELP!)
- That the ministry in Harrisonburg would continue to thrive during the summer
- That the Lord would continue molding me into a better leader

Thanks guys! Much love to all of you, be blessed by the warm weather and by the fact that the Lord is in complete control of our lives and that we don’t have to worry about a thing! SAY WORD! I’M OUTTA HERE!

ALBUM RELEASE DAY!

It’s here! The day I’ve been waiting for!

We released the new Aletheia worship album this morning and the service was incredible. The worship was passionate and true, the congregation was alive, and Dave brought the Word so well. He did his entire message on 2 Timothy 3:10 and it was so insightful.

We were shocked to see all the people there this morning. We saw 450 people walk through our doors this morning, and each one of them left with a copy of the new album. The chairs were backed up almost to the cafe, it was ridiculous. We could definitely use some more space pretty soon.

It was an incredible morning, and the day isn’t even over. Our church plant in Richmond released the album today as well, and gave away free copies to everyone in attendance. Once I hear about how it went, I’ll let you know! Also, the album is being released TONIGHT at our church plant in Norfolk. So, if you’re in the area, be at Jamie’s house at 6pm for the release and for an amazing night of worship, fellowship and teaching. Our crew down in Tampa is going to be giving the album out tomorrow night, which I’m so excited about.

The Lord is doing a huge thing through our worship ministry at Aletheia Church and we’re stoked to see what He decides to do next.

I’m pretty pumped right now, but it’s time to study. Finals start tomorrow.