What A Year Can Mean.......
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10:48AM Last year at this time in my life I owned my own successful construction company, lived in a beautiful house next to Georgian Bay in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada with my wife Lyndsye and our three boys. By most people's standards we had it all. Everything on the surface seemed perfect.
There was one small problem though...........God was doing something that made me uncomfortable. You see, months earlier while leading worship at a small youth retreat he convicted me by His Spirit by pointing out to me that there were areas of my life where I was retaining control. I always felt that God had gifted me to lead His people in worship and to be involved in music but I had all but given up. I tried to be faithful by volunteering at my local church, leading the worship. I wanted to be used, but God would have to use me where I was because I was comfortable with my life.
It was in late March of 2010, after I lead 30 teens in worship, I told God that he had full reign over my life and my families lives and that I would no longer hold on to my geography. "I WILL GO." Looking back now, one of the most significant choices I may have ever made. It wasn't three weeks later that I received a call from Peter Khosla, someone I had only heard about through mutual acquaintance. I knew Peter owned 7Spin records, From The Ground Up management company, and Quick Artist booking agency. I heard from friends, that he was a great christian man and very reputable. I also knew he was incredibly driven and young for all he had accomplished in life. What I didn't know was that he was also on a search committee for a church in Valparaiso, Indiana. Calvary Church had been searching for a Worship Director and through mutual friends, Peter gave my name to the church as a candidate and wanted to know if I would consider moving. WOW!!
I told God I would give Him free reign but this was really fast!! I wasn't prepared to be asked to consider leaving all I knew so quickly. Lyndsye and I thought and prayed for a few days and at the end, felt like we had no choice but to take a step of faith. We filled out an online application for the job and God began to work. Throughout most of last summer I slowly closed up my business, we traveled to Valparaiso once a month to lead worship and we began preparations to immigrate to the U.S. and move from all we had ever know. We said our goodbyes to our families, our friends and our church. We wept when we pulled out of our driveway in a big moving truck. We worried about what we were doing to our kids and how all of this would effect them. We were scared! We couldn't see the future but knew that God was calling us and although it was not easy, we trusted Him.
We officially arrived in Valpo in October of 2010 and I started life as a full time worship leader. There were dark days, I can't lie. We missed home so much. We missed family. It was painful to see our kids struggle to adjust and we repeatedly asked ourselves if we had done the right thing. We had to take it one day at a time. God had not just dumped us though, he was only beginning. We began to build great relationships and develop a great community of friends. The kids slowly began to make friends and find their stride in school and we began to be more comfortable with our role at the church. Pastor Lionel Young made our family feel so welcomed and has developed into such an amazing Godly mentor for my life. Little did I know the things God had placed on his heart. God still, was just beginning...........
We became great friends with some guys who happened to be in the Christian band Sevenglory based out of Valpo and as the months progressed they found themselves without a singer. I told them I could fill in for some shows and one thing lead to another. With full support from Calvary and Pastor Lionel I am now the lead singer for Sevenglory. This was never on our radar. Also, driven by Pastor Lionel, Calvary church now houses 7Spin recording studios of which my office is right next door to. Sevenglory has just recorded an EP there and we hope to have it packaged and in hand within a week. What a year!!
Lyndsye and I have grown in our faith, grown in our relationship with each other and are continually being challenged by amazing friends to live with all our might for the kingdom. Our kids have made great friends and are excelling in school. I am a full time worship leader and front man for a Christian Band. I am being mentored by one of the most brilliant men I have ever met and we are preparing to purchase a home here. These are just a few things God had put together.
Taking a step back and looking at all that has transpired in a year is humbling and makes me stand in awe of the God who has orchestrated my life. He never does things half way and always does more than we could fathom. My prayer is that I continue to have the faith and strength required to keep up! I want to live with all of my might while I do live and to bring God glory with all that I do. He never fails. He makes all things work for my good and His glory and I still can say, "He is just beginning".
Kurt
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Reader Comments (2)
Wow Kurt.....
God is so great ! I love hearing how He is working in the lives of people that were in my kids youth group. It's very exciting when we allow God to take charge. How wonderful that God not only did work in yours and Lyndsyes heart but your boys as well. I pray God continues to bless you and your family.
Love Jean
So happy for the things God has done in your life as you put your faith in Him. What a challenge to all of us. Glad to have you and your family at Calvary. Love worshiping with you.