Thursday, May 29, 2008

Raising Support

Dearest Supporters,


Hello to you all! I am so pleased to be writing you this day! The Lord has been working so mightily and vividly in my life in the last year. I have learned that God loves the process just as much as the product. In saying that, I want to inform you of where my life is headed.

I once heard a message where the pastor spoke of how he was riding a motorcycle and was about to go around a sharp turn. In that moment, he remembered what his riding instructor had said, “When you go around a corner, you have to focus on what is up ahead, not on your current circumstances.” Although my life has gone through numerous changes throughout the last year, I am called to remembrance that when life takes a turn, I have to focus on my future. My future is in Jesus.

Ever since I was little, I have known that the Lord has given me a magnificent gift of my voice to use for His glory. Throughout life, I have explored a lot of different outlets of using my instrument, but in October, I found a place where my spirit was stirred and my heart felt settled. This place is called the International House of Prayer, in Kansas City, Missouri. At the International House of Prayer (IHOP), they participate in a prayer
movement, holding prayer and worship 24 hours a day, praying for needs of our world and all the inhabitants that dwell therin. (Ps. 24:1)

“In the days of King David, he established a tabernacle that had singers and musicians who ministered to the Lord day and night. Today, the prayer movement is in the spirit of David’s Tabernacle. This means that the prayer movement will have some components of the Tabernacle of David, specifically pertaining to singers and musicians.”

There are two schools that operate out of the International House of Prayer: the Forerunner School of Ministry (FSM) and the Forerunner Music Academy (FMA). In December, I auditioned to become a student at FMA.

Four months later and still waiting to receive my acceptance letter, I asked yet again for prayer from friends. “Abraham believed and it was accounted to him for righteousness,” one friend prayed. Hallelujah! The Lord never changes His mind and is always faithful! Later that week, I received a phone call confirming my request. After nearly five months in waiting, I had been accepted!

When I talked to friends of family about going to Kansas City to study to become a worship leader, “That is a life altering decision,” and “This is going to change your life,” were the reactions I received. So, my life is
going to change. I can see, when I look at the past, how the Lord has been forming my life into one that has brought and is bringing him great glory! I would love for you to partner with me to advance His Kingdom by sponsoring me while I’m attending FMA. While I am in school, the expenses each semester are approximately $8,000 and financial aid is not available. The school work combined with activities required while enrolled at FMA is approximately 60 hours per week and after my first year, I will be able to have a job on campus.

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the perfect prayer, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” His will to be done on earth is continual worship, just as it is in heaven. Jesus preached His kingdom, not as something that is to come, but that it is “at hand,” and it is built inside each of us. (Mark 1:14)

I urge you to ask the Holy Spirit to help decide whether to support me as I go through school in Kansas City. A movement of individuals is surfacing. These individuals are devoted to scriptures such as Psalm 27:4, Psalm 71:8, Acts 15, Matthew 6:33 and Luke 18:7-8, just to name a few. I believe that when musicians and singers unite, that the prayer movement will move to transform our nation and world in a way that none can imagine. Won’t you join me in this journey?