Hope at 30,000 Feet

Sometimes the fish jump in the boat. It’s in these moments that I know the Holy Spirit is planting my steps. This is my favorite talk-to-random-stranger-on-plane-story yet and I share it because I want God to get the glory.

In a strange way I like long red eye flights. The take off rush where your bodyweight pulls into the seat and your eyes are tempted to close. Then, its either a book I’d rarely have time to read, or a film I’d probably never watch. Except on a plane that is, stuck with nothing to do. And of course, ginger ale. For some reason, cruising at 30,000 ft is the only time I crave this drink. Weird. And for the best part, drifting off to sleep after a long gaze out the window at the sunset afterglow melding with the stars. Yep, red eye flights have become my friend. What I don’t usually plan on doing is chatting it up with a stranger beside me. Its dark for one, and my book or movie is waiting. And who wants to interrupt the dull roar of the flight with obnoxious chitchat?  But last night, God had a different plan for my time. I love his plan.

I stepped on the Kona to LA flight ready to sleep. The past week leading worship at the YWAM base was packed full, and I definitely was spent in the very best kind of way. I sat down and was relieved to find the seat beside mine empty. “Sweet, extra leg room and no awkward small talk with my neighbor.”  This was ironic, because one, my wife wasn’t traveling with me and she would have been sitting beside me, and two, the plane was supposedly all sold out, so I had the only empty seat beside me.

Much to my surprise, a guy who looked in his late 20’s two seats over spoke up. The usual small talk ensued, and he chatted about staying at the Four Seasons Resort, which just so happens to be one of the most luxurious hotels in all of Hawaii ($1200 a night kind of prices). This surprised me, because he was dressed like me, and this is NOT like the typical high-roller vacationer.

Turns out his wealthy relative invited him out for an all-expense paid vacation, and he wisely said yes to the offer. He rambled on about the amazing resort and the surfing lessons, and honestly I was just mildly listening. I off-handily asked if he left a significant other behind to go on this trip, and he said yes, his girlfriend. “At least you bought her something, right?” He nodded in agreement.

A few moments of silence…

“I’m actually still married. I have a 2 year old, and a 3 month old.”

“…wait, what?”  I wasn’t expecting that.

All of sudden I felt the peaceful, yet hair-prickling presence of the Holy Spirit, knowing that this moment was an opportunity to listen…both to this man and to what Jesus would have to say to this man. This was no longer about my relaxing flight plan. This was my time to embody hope that I knew was missing from this man’s life, to be a touchable answer to this man’s pain, and most of all, to know that Jesus was sitting right with us with His words becoming mine.

This boldness arose in my heart, and I told him straight up that its time for him to be man and end this stupid fling and make it right with his wife. It was like I heard my words outside of myself. “Wait, am I really saying this to a perfect stranger? And he has tattoos all over him, and he’s pretty tough looking,  so he might flip out on me.”

 But he just looked at me, and then slowly nodded whispering, “I know. I can’t keep living like this.” His heart totally opened up to me, and over the next hour, he shared about his struggles in life, about growing up with a mom that was a stripper, and living on the streets, getting caught up in the drug scene and then ending up in jail. Mind you, we’re on a dead quiet night flight. I couldn’t believe this guy was opening up so much.

His story continued on with getting out of jail and wanting to make his life right. He married his girlfriend, bought a house and started having kids. This is all he knew to do. But the happiness he found didn’t last. Alcohol got in the mix, and found himself separated from his wife with nothing to hold on to. Life was back to chaos. My heart broke for this man, yet I knew God was his only hope and his way of redemption. I shared with him the power of God’s love, and how without it, we don’t know how to truly love. I shared that for his marriage to thrive, he can’t do it alone. He agreed, saying he knows he needs God in his life. And others, people to share struggles and hardships with.

I started sharing stories from the bible with him, like the parable of the prodigal son, and he didn’t know any of them. He said he tried to read the bible in prison, but all the “Thous” made it impossible to understand. He was an open slate, at the bottom looking for hope and light. I prayed for him on the plane, and I felt his hope rising for his life, for his marriage, for his kids. To be the man he wants to be, he realized he needed God.

I’m going to mail him a bible and some books for him to help him on his journey.  I’m praying for him and his family, and asking God what to do next. Meeting this man on the plane helps me understand a bit more what Peter felt like when Jesus said to cast his net to the other side of the boat. (Luke 5:4-22) The fish literally jumped in the boat. Last night, this man jumped in the boat. He was drowning, and he was looking for someone to rescue him. It was hard leaving him, so wishing I could just hang out with him longer and open up the bible with him, but we parted ways. But not the Holy Spirit…still with him.

I’m so reminded how the Spirit orchestrates our steps, divinely setting us up to cross paths with the broken and those drowning in pain, looking for air to gasp. I didn’t go looking for this man. I had my book ready to read. But Jesus did ask for me to stop for this man. Heidi Baker, one of my spiritual heroes says, “Love looks like stopping for the one in front of us.” This isn’t complicated. Messy? Yes. But complicated? No. We just have to open up our eyes and ears and look for where Jesus is at work.

You have the ability to be this rescue. You are called to this. Last night I remembered all over again. With the Holy Spirit inside your chest, you can walk with God and help pull people out of their despair with the hope of Jesus Christ. What an honor to be God’s sons and daughters, entrusted with this gospel that is for the salvation of men and women. The gospel is reality. Love is supreme. Love looks like something.

Masi Family

Funny story. We heard about a guy who got his ipod stolen the other week. He was super bummed for sure. His friend who knew his ipod was stolen was walking down the streets of the Masi township, when he heard a guy riding his bike singing out loud Will’s song Climb. Pretty hilarious.
“I give it all to You God trusting…”

Masi is a poorer area, and ipods aren’t exactly common. Then to hear him singing worship songs from a stolen ipod. Redemption?

We hope its part of his journey to Jesus.

We had a great time hanging out with a YWAM crew here, worshipping in a rented house in the township in Masi, talking about what God is doing all around the world. Love meeting people with the same DNA. Same tribe.

Tonight is a worship gathering at a church called the Bay Community. Really excited for all that Jesus has in store!
See you there.

Finally Here!!!

The best beach in the world could be right out our window. Noordhoek Beach to be exact. Its marvelously huge and wide, stretching miles down the shore. The ocean is wild. The mountains surround everything. What an amazing introduction to Cape Town.

This trip has been a long time coming. 5 years actually. In 2006, Jake, Will, and I (Nate) visited Cape Town on our way home from Pemba, Mozambique. We hung out for 10 days, dreaming about the future. We talked alot about music. We didn’t have an name yet, but the dream was there. And we dreamed taking our future wives back here one day.

That day has arrived. We’re all married now, and we’re here because churches want us here to lead worship. We are happy to oblige:)

Our crew

Will & Andrea
Jake & Dana
Nathan & Brit
Brock & Crystalyn
Spencer & Melody

We’re here in Cape Town for 5 days, then off to Port Elizabeth for a few days. So pumped to be here. So excited to see all that God wants to do.
Stay tuned to this blog more stories, photos, and videos.
In the mean time, enjoy this little song from Brock this morning.

"When you Set Yourself on Fire

I (Nathan) have never known much about John Wesley. I’ve picked up a  few of his quotes here and there but that’s about it. I’ve never been very interested enough in his story to pick up a biography on him…well, until now. Yesterday, a few of us in Knoxville took a field trip to the neighborhood Methodist church. Why? Well, here’s the back story. This has been a long time in coming for me.

Two years ago, I was on a prayer walk around neighborhood of the Banks House, when I stumbled upon this beautiful old Methodist church. It was only two blocks away from the house, but somehow I never saw it. Ambushed by the Spirit, i felt compelled to knock on their door. It was winter, and bundled up in my hat, worn leather jacked, and long hair, I must have been a shock to the white-haired ladies gathered around a collage of southern casserole dishes. But once they realized I wasn’t out to mug them or their food, they warmed right up, and promptly took me on a tour of their church.

ONE HOUR later, and I was still being shown photos of their old pastors. But I was in love. Love with these old saints who have faithfully served the Lord over their whole life.
“That’s Pastor John. What a fella. He knew the word with the best of em’. He’s not with us no more.
That’s Betty Sue. She cooked the best greens this side of the Mississippi.” 

When I stepped into their sanctuary, I immediately felt God’s presence, but wasn’t sure why at all. I just knew I needed to be here at this moment, and maybe there was something for the future. The dark wooded paneled walls, broken up with stained-glass windows, reflected the sunset light. A lone piano set on the alter. The acoustics were great. I closed my eyes, and imagined the place full of young people, hands and hearts lifted up to Jesus as pure worship.
Then it was over. I left the church, thankful of my tour, and scratching my head at what to do next. The following day, I told Michael and Ivey, our good friends here in Knoxville, and they both jumped with excitement, quickly telling me they both have had dreams of revival breaking out in old sanctuary type buildings. This got me excited, about nothing much came out of this conversation at the time.

Its been two years since that church tour, but the image of worship coming from that building never left me. I think my friend were tired of me pestering them about this idea, so we finally decided to do something about it. Yesterday, we put on our Sunday best, and showed up at the neighborhood Methodist for their 10:30am service. Talk about stepping back in time. We made our way into the sanctuary, and to the obvious shock on everyone’s faces, took a seat on the third row. It was HOT. No AC. But that felt appropriate somehow.

A lady named Mary was quick to greet us. She was full of energy and life, and her southern twang was just about perfect. Oh, and she all gave us fans to keep cool. About 30 people were scattered out over the pews. Next, the choir entered–a choir of five. The hymn book’s opened, and the old classic’s started.
I grew up in a southern baptist church, so some  of the songs were faintly familiar. Michael was there too, and his dad used to be a baptist music minister, so he knew them all.

During announcements, we were warmly greeted as visitors, and we’re asked to stand up and introduce ourselves. Everyone was still in shock I think that they had real life visitors. The service continued, with the local itinerant Methodist preacher making his way up the front. (He preaches at two other small Methodist churches each Sunday morning) He shared a simple sermon, with just the right amount of “southernness” to bring his points across. The service ended quicker than i expected (maybe because of the heat…90 degree on the thermostat), and we were greeted by everyone, and invited to Sunday potluck.

We couldn’t turn that down, and went downstairs to the feast of all southern feasts. You have to understand that all these people have literally been going to church together for 40+ years, and they were like a big family. It was great. Desert was glorious…

During lunch, we got to share our hearts for this neighborhood, and our ministry with highschool and college age students in town. We asked them what they thought about us using their sanctuary for a worship night, and they beamed. And then i said 200+ young people might show up, and their eyes go big. After lunch, we went back up into the sanctuary to check out the acoustics more and the piano, and a few of them joined. We sang hymns together on the stage, and I’m pretty sure they asked us to come back and join the choir next week.

This fall,  we are going to host at least one, maybe more, worship nights in the old Methodist building. I’ve heard people refer to “re-digging the wells of revival” and that’s exactly what comes to mind.  John Wesley was a radical man of faith and passion. Ever heard this quote?  “When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn.” That was Mr. Wesley. He understood what a heart on fire meant. Back in the 1730′s, John and his brother met with a group of Oxford college students, and they committed to living out the bible practically. They visited the sick and the poor, those in prison. The gospel became a lifestyle, not a static religion, which was the norm back in England.  Their practical faith helped sparked the Great Awakening in America through fellow peer George Whitefield, and helped inspire William Wilberforce take a stand against slavery, eventually winning.

Just a couple of college students who weren’t afraid to stand up against the status quo and follow God with all their hearts helped shape history.
That’s worth paying attention to.

For the Sake of Tradition

“Bless this food to our bodies. Amen”

I grew up saying this prayer right before dinner. Luckily, punishment was mild if caught sneaking food before the prayer. That just meant you were the one who had to pray. (Which is a lot of pressure when you’re a kid, but nevertheless, no real harm done)

Millions probably say a similar type of prayer dinner. It’s tradition. Its just what you do, right? When I think about it, I pray that the greasy pizza is going to bless my body, but in reality, I know it really won’t. Less saturated fat please.  So I guess I’m not really praying, just acting out what I’ve been taught. And in this case, it’s harmless. But what’s scary is that this same human pattern can get us into big trouble. Tradition for traditions sake. “It’s just the way things are done.” Being completely blinded to truth…honoring tradition instead of the Lord.

Jesus’ warnings of keeping empty traditions are very real in the gospels. Over the past two days, these scriptures keep finding me. So here they are….

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of the pictures and cups, and many other such things you do. All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” Mark 7:6-9

“Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” – Matt. 15:6

Yikes. I’m fine with saying grace before dinner, but today I’m very aware of the ease of mistaking our traditions for “God’s will”, and missing out on God’s will all along.

I can ‘t stop thinking about the Church today and wondering about her destiny. Not the institutional church buildings, but for the millions of people around the world on a journey, walking with Jesus. I believe we’re at another crossroads in our destiny, with a reformation looming. The first reformation was a revelation of God’s grace, not by works. The second reformation was discovering our identity as God’s son’s and daughters….that we could have a real, personal relationships with Jesus.

As many others are saying, this 3rd reformation is of practice…what we do as followers of Christ. Putting into action the Christ life on the earth. Being the “earthly image of the triune God.”

Tradition says hold onto the old ways of doing things, no matter what. It pretends that our religion actually works. It gets a certain counterfeit life from the whole thing.

But a new wineskin is forming. It’s organic in nature. It grows by the Spirit, not by human institutions. May we not miss what God is doing in this hour. It’s simpler than we think. It’s Jesus being our center, focus, point, and pursuit. Worship is the overflow. God sings over us first, and our lives sing back to Him. Community is grown from His presence. The broken and weary are invited in the family, and they actually want to stay. And it’s sustainable.

“The great difference between the present-day Christianity and that of which we read in these New Testament letters is that to us it is primarily a performance; to them it was a real experience.” J.B Phillips

This makes me jealous. This bothers me. This makes we want to purse God all the more. Not just alone, but with my covenant friends.

Who is your tribe? Your community? Who are you linking arms with, in pursuit up the Holy mountain of God? If you don’t have one, find one!  Don’t fall for the American temptation that your fine alone.

Jesus and "The American Dream"

Meet Jim,  a highly educated, successful man on all visible accounts. His home is lavish, the kind people dream of. It sits high on a cliff overlooking the ocean, perfect to catch the pacific sunsets each night. He’s married to a beautiful wife, father to two high achiever kids. His cars are fast, his food is good, and his savings account full to the brim. He’s basically insured to have live in extravagant comfort until his death, with enough to be passed on to his children.

This is the American dream, right? Having more than enough to be happy, comfortable, nothing to worry about in the world…it doesn’t get any better than this as the dream says…

I wrestle with this, because somewhere in my dreams of the future, something along the lines of this is true for me. Maybe not the huge house, but its my desire to have nothing to worry about, my desire for certainty in an uncertain world.

I read the words of Jesus, and I’m sobered by his radical view of life.

“take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Yikes. While I don’t normally attribute covetousness for my life, I can’t argue that I desire abundance in the physical realm. My response is, “well, I don’t want to be rich. Just have enough.” Guilty still, because my standard of having enough is my best attempt to try to control my life. What about God? What about loosing my life, so I can find it? What about trusting Him with everything?

How about this one…

“the ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully {think of Jim in our story}. And he thought to himself,  ‘what shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ {What should Jim do, after he has way more money in his bank account than he’s spending?} So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.{Jim sells his house, and buys the biggest and nicest one he can afford to store all his toys in} And I will say to my soul, ‘soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’  {Jim has more than enough, so much he can retire and enjoy his luxurious lifestyle in peace and happiness}

“But God said to him, FOOL! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?

So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.

But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Do not fear little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12

I woke up this morning, feeling anxious about various things. Luke 12 is comforting to me, so I opened it up, ready to jump to my favorite part. But today I felt the nudge to start at the beginning of chapter 12. When I got to the parable, I read it quickly like I normally do, ready to get to the “good stuff”. Again I felt the nudge, read it again, but put it modern context. That’s where the story of Jim came to. And here I sit, totally impacted by the radical words of Jesus. He’s demanding another level of my trust today, a new paradigm for faith, another reminder that my life is not my own. My life is about drawing closer to Christ, and sharing the life and love I find with others. Not just any kind of love,  but love from above. Love that gives, but doesn’t demand in return. Love that is limitless. Love only possible by Jesus, through the power of His Spirit.

I want my counterfeit American dream to die on the rocks of my control. Then I realize, this isn’t my thinking. This is the Spirit working in my life. He knows where I’m at, and is the only leader fit for this. I might not get here overnight, but I’m on the journey…on the journey of giving up my control, finding instead the captain of my soul navigating me through the treacherous waters of this life. But with him at the helm, I can sleep in the storm. With Him, I can find the abundant life my heart is screaming for, but it will be the real thing. Not some dingy illusion that I hope to muster up in myself. It will be “Christ in me, the hope of Glory.” – Nathan

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

We have lots to learn from the poor.

Spend sometime with children who have only the clothes on their back, and it will change you.
Pray with people who literally depend on God for their very sustenance, and you’re prayers will change too.

Before United Pursuit was a band, we were friends who spent a summer in Mozambique, 2006 with Iris Ministries. If you haven’t heard about Iris, you need to go pick up a book called “There’s Always Enough” – Its the story of Heidi and Rolland Baker moving to Mozambique, and their ministry to the orphaned and poor.  This isn’t your typical missionary story. Its a radical journey of faith, that started with picking up one orphan on the street, and has turned into rescuing hundreds and hundreds of kids of the streets, as well as planting 5000+ churches all through Mozambique, and now spreading into different African nations. Amazing stories of miracles have become “normal” – food multiplying, the blind getting sight….amazing! We saw it with our own eyes. Needless to say, we were VERY impacted by our time there.

After spending the summer in Mozambique, we definitely came home with an “anything is possible” mentality. That’s when we bought a old house, turned it into a studio, and started capturing the songs that God put in our hearts, many from Mozambique. (Come Away for example)

It was in Mozambique that we found our “why”.
Why we believe what we believe.
Why we do what we do.

Lately, our “what” has become music. But our why is much deeper. Seeing the Kingdom of God explode among the poorest of the poor has changed us, and given us more vision, more purpose. Our why is the gospel of the Kingdom going to the nations, and to find our part in God’s story.  Music is part of the overflow for us.

What’s exciting is that our music world and our heart for missions and supporting the poor is connecting. Brock Human, one of the artists involved with United Pursuit, is also on staff with Iris Ministries. He’s married to the founders daughter, and has been commissioned by them to help raise awareness/support for Iris Ministries. So that’s what were doing!

January 1st is the official iTunes release date of our first partnership album with Iris Ministries. Its called “Found”, and 100% of the proceeds go to supporting Iris. This is our first non-profit project, and we are PUMPED about it. The album was masterminded by Brock, and Will contributed vocals to 3 of the songs. Musically, its melodic, ambient goodness.

So we’re asking for your help spreading the word!

1. Download the two free tracks from www.noisetrade.com/unitedpursuit and share it with your friends via facebook/twitter.
2. Purchase the album on iTunes on Jan. 1st and tell your friends (change your facebook profile picture Jan. 1st for the day if your an overachiever:)
3. Buy the book “There’s Always Enough” and get inspired by what God is doing in the nations.
4. stay updated with Iris at www.irismin.com
5. consider being a regular Iris supporter.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? You’re “why” does. And if you don’t have one, you don’t like getting up.
Finding your why, defines your how. How will I pursue my passion and dreams?
Your answer will be your “what” . You’re what can change from year to year, but your why doesn’t.

As followers of Christ, we must know our why. We must be people led by conviction for the greater story, the story of God, the story of God giving His son a bride. May we be people who are led with great purpose, full of great passion, fueled by great vision. Not for us, but for His glory.
Find you’re why, then find you’re tribe. Don’t look back.

May we be people who are poor in spirit, hearts in dependence and surrender to Jesus for everything.

Spirit of Adoption

What does the Kingdom look like?”

This has been that type of nagging thought that you can’t seem to shake, and lately has turned into a simple prayer of mine. “God, show me what your Kingdom looks like in my daily life.” I almost said “normal life”, but everything I read in the gospels is anything but normal. In my daily life, I want to see how the Spirit is moving, how the Kingdom is expanding. I say “see”, because its easy to be blind to how the Kingdom grows, especially when it is “as small as a mustard seed.”

Anyways, last Tuesday night during our weekly worship gathering, something profound happened. Another expression of what this Kingdom looks like exploded in front of my eyes.

It was as simple as a father holding his son asleep in his arms. But not just any son: a newly adopted son. A son recently abandoned by his parents, left to fend for himself at age 4. A son who never before experienced unconditional love, never known a house a peace, never before eaten a home-cooked meal. This father was holding his new son with every once of love in him. It was there I could see Romans 8:15 come alive: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out ABBA FATHER.”

The Spirit of adoption saturated our living room that night. It permeated everything. The word became flesh that night to me, exploding in front me in the simplicity of a hug that didn’t let go. During worship, I heard the son ask his dad, “Who is Jesus?”
This question wrecked me, because I knew he would soon find out. Jesus is in the great rescuer. And He wants to use us.  He is using my friend to be the Father this son never had. I watched the son fall asleep on his father’s chest. I watched the father silently weep over his new son. Tears of hope. Tears of joy. God’s glory filled the house. I cried. We all cried. We all felt our Father’s embrace that night, the peace and safety of being sons and daughters, heirs to the King and Kingdom.

This father and mother didn’t just adopt one child, but three. And these children aren’t even totally adoptable yet, because there is still one parent somewhere in the distance, strung out on drugs. This is foster care for a season, with adoption the goal. But that’s not stopping my friends. They are giving everything to these children. The love of God in that house is breathtaking.

They are sowing into the Spirit in a beautiful way. The flesh would say, “I’ll take my comfortable life with our one daughter thank you.” The Spirit says, “Let me love the broken. Let me love who the world says is unlovable. “

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

I saw the Kingdom clearly in a father’s safe embrace that night. It’s still with me. I want to sow into the spirit, not the flesh. I want to see all things made new, to be “a touchable answer to peoples pain and brokenness.” The Kingdom is seeing the Spirit of Adoption literally save lives. This Spirit fights for the lost and broken. This Spirit doesn’t let go. This is the Kingdom I know is crashing into this world.

Let’s be people that tell testimonies of God’s goodness and love. It’s because in these stories, we see and hear what God’s Kingdom is all about. This changes us. This changes others. Stories tell us what’s possible, and that it can happen again.

-nate