On October 11th and 18th, we loaded up and traveled to Murfreesboro, TN (right outside of Nashville) and led worship and preached for the Youth Ministry of First Baptist Northside. We met some incredible people, and felt very at home when we went. Big thanks to David Brambell, Alisha, Tracy, the Florida's and especially the students for making our time together so meaningful.

Worship was pleasing to the Lord. We began both services in our usual fashion - on our knees inviting the Lord's manifest Presence to fill the room and deal with our hearts. Worship is often a journey of transitioning from the mindset of a "sing-a-long" to songs of praise and worship directed toward the Lord.

Taylor labors to make each worship just that: an encounter with the Living God. I am personally grateful each time I get to be led into the Presence of God by someone who fights to stay out of the picture.

During our first gathering on October 11th, I preached "God Sees Dead People" (the gospel). You can hear the sermon by clicking here. As the Gospel went forth, the Lord had answered our prayers and as we gave the invitation, over 20 students responded in the sight of the Lord and all present to receive salvation by inviting Jesus to take over their lives! It was an amazing response, and made us very excited to be back.

The following week, we went back and there was an even greater sense of expectancy. The students seemed even more prepared to meet with the Lord and we believe worship through song was pleasing to the Lord. As we entered into the message, I preached "The Cost" out of Mark 8:34-35 - a message that has become our heartbeat for ministry and the thrust behind our ministry tag: After total surrender, there is nothing else.

Several more students responded by receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and just as important were the believers who chose to recklessly abandon to Jesus in surrender. In our journey, it is a rare thing to find believers who are truly abandoned to Jesus Christ, and it is our heart to see all those who are believers to truly follow Him.

After the service that night, I had a chance to talk with Eddie. It became clear after some time that Eddie was not a believer, and he responded by receiving Jesus as his Lord. Please lift Eddie up in prayer as you read this, as I believe Satan strongly desires Eddie to be back in his old life. Please pause and do that now.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to lead several people to the Lord in the course of my life, but I was stirred in my soul in ways that I cannot accurately explain in words at Eddie's conversion. I wept with him and rejoiced as he, with much brokenness, asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins and to enter his heart. Eddie, if you read this - you have brothers and sisters everywhere that are praying for you. The hard part is over - Jesus is Lord of your life: now you get to follow Him. It's worth it! Don't quit, my brother!

For those of you who labor in prayer alongside of us, I hope that your heart rejoices with ours at the lives that are being changed. What a wonderful God we serve! What a glorious rescue of our soul He has performed! What a gospel!

We love you, and ask that you continue to pray protection over us - much humility, and integrity. Please pray that our love would not grow cold, but would increase more and more as we enter into a deeper knowledge of His love each day. Your prayers are not in vain. Thank you so much. We hope to hear from you and see you again soon.

-TD