My journey to music ministry started several years ago. After I gave my life to Christ at 19 I
started attending a local church to which I am still a member. As a child and all through my teen years
music was what defined me. It spoke to
my heart, moved me, could determine my mood and gave me a great amount of joy
to be a part of. My family enjoyed
caroling at Christmas time to friends' homes.
Anytime there was an opportunity to join choir in school, I was
there. My senior year of high school
was busy with several musical interests.
Needless to say, this was the outlet God used to draw me to
Himself. And as if I had any right to
be choosy, one of my requirements for a church to attend, as I was not
attending church at the time I gave my life to Christ, was that there had to be
an active music program. An outlet for
my vocals and violin. To this day, I've
been able to offer up my musical abilities in service on a regular basis to my
church.
As a new believer I was introduced to contemporary Christian
music for the first time. I had
initially taken vocal lessons for musical theater and opera. But after giving my life to Christ I decided
that I'd rather sing for God. After
the first few times of sharing ministry through music with my church congregation,
I sensed a pull on my heart for this type of ministry. I never chose a song for it's entertainment
value, but always for the message. I
was sure it was doing the same for those listening. Over time I was referred by friends and friends of friends who
had heard my voice to sing special music or to sing for special events at local
churches. With each opportunity to
share my music ministry, my certainty of God's anointing grew. Only problem, I'd never lead a music
ministry and had no idea how to take it further. What I did know is that I wasn't looking to be famous or to have
someone direct my ministry for the sake of making money. I wanted to be a true ministry. Where I could be vulnerable and share how
God had changed me, how much I love Him and how He could change the lives of my
audience as well. I didn't need a huge
concert hall or stadium. Just the
church platform where their community could be invited to a free concert.
I had just finished reading the book “The Prayer of
Jabez”. This caused me to pray
regularly, “God, I want to expand my music ministry territory.” I prayed this for several weeks and each
time I know I heard God respond with, “It's gonna be a lot of hard work.” But I was willing. I knew this is what I was called to do for Him. A few months later I came upon a magazine
article for a company called “Incubator Creative Group.” This local Christian recording company
offered to grow a musicians music ministry by using the church platform. Exactly what I was looking for. Continuing through the article I was
delightfully surprised at the company's attitude toward music ministry. It's not your garden variety record label. Their standards and desire for music
ministry where the same as mine. It
seemed too good to be true, so I set the article aside. For the next couple of months that article
kept pulling on me. I'd periodically
pick it up and reread it, still curious.
Can a company like this really exist?
They were holding auditions. I
finally got up the nerve and made the phone call.
And this is how I knew that Incubator Creative Group was the
help and support God wanted me to have for growing my music ministry. In the initial phone call the company
representative asked me if I'd read the book “The Prayer of Jabez.” I exclaimed, “Yes, I just read it a couple
of months ago.” The response was,
“Good. Because we want to expand your
music ministry territory.” I
thought, “excellent! That's what I want too.” And here's the kicker. Then the representative said, “we need you
to know up front that this is going to be a lot of hard work.” I thought to myself “Hmm, I've heard that
before.” And of course, those were the
very words I heard from God. From the
get go my ministry building has always moved forward. Even in my moments of doubt, God would provide more abundantly
than I had allowed myself to believe possible.
The ministry building model Incubator had in place was a lot of work,
but it made sense. I didn't always
understand it immediately, but as I progressed through my ministry building it
would all come together to make perfect sense.
Incubator's desire is not to make me fit into one mold. They have taken the time to get to know me
deeper level to determine what needs to be done to make this music ministry
effective. They have been a wealth of
information. I won't say it's always
been a smooth ride. In fact, during my
first year with the company, my dad become deathly ill. For two years I watched my dad fight for his
life and eventually pass from this earth.
I had grown a lot spiritually during that time and wanted to incorporate
it into my ministry. Something powerful
had happened in my life and I knew that it would be a story that would impact
anyone and everyone. Incubator helped
me to create a program built around my spiritual struggle with my dad's
illness. Another incredible example of
when God can take something that is meant for evil in our lives and bring
something good out of it.
The whole process of growing a music ministry has caused me
to grow right along with it. The beauty
of Incubator Creative Group is not their desire or ability to make me famous or
produce as many CDs as possible. My
favorite thing is that whenever we meet to discuss my ministry they encourage
me through the Word of God, keep me accountable to His calling and pray
for me. You can't get much better than
that. After several years of partnering
with them, I'm confident I am with a company who is looking out for me and desires
to help me to glorify God through my ministry.
