Hey there folks!
I hope that everyone is having a great summer. We’ve been incredibly busy since the Branson event, and we’re already very engaged in Branson 2010! It’s going to be even bigger and better than 2009, so get ready! Just click HERE to get the info you need to be a part! More to come on that…
This is a busy time of year for us. We’re gearing up for my annual homecoming event this weekend. The Jay Stone Singers will again be with us, to celebrate the ministry that God gave, and share His love with everyone. If you can make it, please join us. Just visit my website for all the details. The new single “Take A Stand” is also doing really well. We did get the initial reports back and several station across the country are playing it in the medium and heavy rotations. In addition, some added it as their top 5 new songs reported to Singing News. That will help it to get a lot of attention. It’s still very important for you to send an e-mail HERE and let the folks at Enlighten know you want to hear “Take A Stand”. Please take a moment and do that now if you will. Also call your local radio stations and ask them to play it as well. The more requests given…the better the response and attention. We’re excited about what God is doing in this ministry, and want to share with everyone His amazing love!
Now to the title! In the last newsletter I gave you a wrap up of Branson and how exciting and energizing that time was for this ministry. We had decided to take a couple weeks away from the planning and get rested up before we started planning for 2010. That lasted about a day…and on the way home from Branson, we were already in planning mode. You see, God birthed something in both Kelly and me that week. We’ve been ministry minded for a long time, but there was an awakening that took place during the Branson event. There’s a difference in being called to the Ministry, and being called to the Ministry as your primary focus. For quite some time I have been torn in 2 worlds. There’s the business side that took a lot of focus and energy everyday, then the ministry side that took a lot of focus and energy everyday. Add to that the family, kids, etc…things could get hectic. We knew that God was calling us to a place where we could put more focus on the ministry side of our lives. Once we got home from Branson, that desire just grew. It was difficult to go back and fit into the day time role of Comcast while still driving to build ministry ideas at home. We knew that a change was coming, and we knew that God had a plan, but we had no idea of what was to come.
Once home we began to pray that God would allow a change in our lives. One that would let us focus on the ministry while still taking care of responsibilities. We specifically prayed..and had others pray, that I would either be given a new job responsibility that would not be as demanding, or that I’d be given a severance package that would allow us to move on. We really had no idea that either was possible, and certainly didn’t think there was any hope for the package. But God knew better. Just this past week I went into a meeting where I was offered a package to leave the business. My first 10 seconds was somewhat a shock. I’ve been in this business for 22 years…and with this company for 10+…now to think that I wouldn’t be….but wait! Almost an audible thought jumped in my mind…and said “This is what you asked for…remember?” That was enough. I had prayed that God would open a door…and He did. I was shocked…which speaks to my lack of faith, that He would answer in the exact way I had prayed and asked. I even had to let the HR person know who was giving me the info that it was ok. She was feeling bad about things…and a little flustered. I told her about the ministry, and that this was a perfect answer to prayer…and to please just not worry about it. She felt better. 
So…as of this past week, we are in full time ministry! Now…that doesn’t mean that this is all we do. I’ll be looking at some consulting…have already been approached by a couple of companies to do that. But I’ll be able to set the schedule and work it around my ministry focus, which is exactly what I wanted to do. It’s not to say there won’t be challenges…there will be. But I know that God has prepared us for this time….and it’s been a rough preparation. He has set us in a place that we can finally be used by Him, and I couldn’t be more excited. We will need your help…no doubt. A change like this means a lot of adjustment mentally. I’ve already had Satan attacking me on “what are we going to do” kinds of things. But quickly…I remind Him that my Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills…so I believe I own at least 1! We will need your prayers! We’ll need your contacts in helping to secure concerts and pastors…we’ll need you to call your radio stations…all that will help. We have been contacted already about folks who want to sponsor our ministry monthly…that’s fantastic! We’d love to have you help in any way you can, but most of all, pray for us. I want the things that we’re involved in to do mighty works for God, and I know that He’ll see us through.
There will be lots to share in the coming weeks about the Branson GMC 2010, as well as several other ventures we’re working on. Keep watching here…and please forward this newsletter to all your friends. They can subscribe at the link on the bottom, or by visiting the website. We appreciate all of you so much, and feel blessed to have you be a part of this work. I believe more than ever that it’s time we stand up for what we know is truth. We’re seeing people we love turn away from their faith as a matter of convenience. It’s easier to not follow our hearts, and simply follow the darkness in this world. We as Christians have sat around too long singing “Just As I Am”…it’s a great message, but we need to stand up and say “We’ll NOT be defeated”! It’s time to Rise and TAKE A STAND!
Please check out the dates section at the website, just click HERE and you’ll see the events currently on schedule. Many more are being worked on even now…but please plan to be with us whenever you can! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Till next time…
Take A Stand!
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- Both Hinson Revival and Rod Burton added to Gospel Music Nashville 2010!
