“It’s
all about the process,” a friend once told me. Some things in life
just seem to come along in such a way, it’s like they just drop in
your lap, while other things that come along seem like they become
rather toilsome tasks. In my experience, it’s kind of like
songwriting. Some songs just seem to flow right out of you, while
others seem perhaps akin to going through the pains of labor just to
make something out of them that’s worth the effort! Now, being a
guy, I’ve never had to experience labor pains fortunately!
However, when you experience a passion for something that you just
can’t ignore, and it’s a longing that’s coming from deep, deep
down inside of you, you’ll try just about anything to make it work!
But for many of us, it seems like no matter how much you want to
make this dream become a reality, you often find yourself fighting
against forces and situations that seem to continually leave you
grasping for straws and hanging you out to dry; stripping you of all
energy and drive so that you just want to give up!
For 20 years I
felt a lot like this! I have gone through so many painful episodes
of starts and stops and ups and downs in my music ministry journey,
I’ve often wondered if my dream of seeing a functioning music
ministry would ever see the light of day! Many times there seemed
to be promising opportunities laid before me to launch into this
endeavor, but I often felt like I was left without all the pieces
necessary to put it all together. I often prayed for someone to come
along side and partner with me so that together, we could combine our
efforts to make things work, but it seemed like a very daunting task.
Then God, who very often shows us His timing is so unlike ours,
provided a door of opportunity with Incubator Creative Group!
After
20 years of struggling to find my way into a sustainable music
ministry, Incubator has provided an oasis where an artist can come to
learn, be encouraged, and grow in a healthy spiritual environment
where they can begin to watch their dream unfold into reality! There
is, ironically, a lengthy audition “process” (there’s that word
again!) to go through, but it’s well worth it! They get to know
you personally and spiritually, and help you put together a plan of
action that fits your own unique life situation so you can see your
vision take flight! They practice what they preach every step of the
way! Nate and Tami are two of the best people I have gotten to meet
in any form of music management! In fact, I’ve gotten to know them
for a much longer period of time than most roster artists have at
this point! They stuck with me and prayed with me through some very
trying times. The fact that they believed in me and what I had to
offer the body of Christ testified to the fact that God has really
called me into this form of ministry! One of the many things I’ve
learned through all the Incubator seminars is that we are meant for
so much more than we think!! Music is only a part of what we do as
ministers, but God uses our own unique life experiences and
brokenness to show others just how awesome His plan of redemption is
for all of us, and how God can take our little and make much out of
it for His glory—doing little in a BIG way!
Incubator is not all
about the glam and glitter that the music industry paints things to
look like; it’s about people and relationships, the very ones God
cares so much for! He came to seek and save the lost, hurting, and
broken and came to provide encouragement to the faint and the weary!
He didn’t come so we could make much of ourselves and our talents,
but to make much of Him, so people He sends across our path can see
it, believe it, and be saved! I’ve spent the last several years
leading Praise and Worship in various congregations around town, but
I knew God had more for me to do with music! Incubator is providing
the opportunity to take all the things God has put into me, helping
me realize the potential of these things, and showing me how I can
better pour Him into the lives of others! They have a “ministry
first” mentality, and their values are, without question, God
centered! Finally! There is someone out there who gets what it’s
like to go through the struggles I’ve experienced--and is willing
to come along side to partner with me and encourage me in
legitimizing the call God has put on my life! Together, we will see
God do great things for His kingdom!! I thank God for Incubator’s
heart of obedience to the vision He’s entrusted to them! They have
a heart for artists like me who want to be found faithful with the
vision and gifts He’s given us! God sends friends and laborers
across your path to guide and help you along the way, so I will enjoy
the process!!
