Summer is HERE!

The summer officially begins for Try Dying tomorrow, and it's going to be nuts! Tonight, I am in Birmingham at Taylor's place with my bags packed for 2 solid weeks of ministry coming up. I keep asking myself, "How did it get here so quickly?" Ready or not, though, it's here which means we will have the opportunity for the second straight summer to pour our lives out and do what we were created to do.

This past year has been unbelievably rewarding, as well as difficult. All of our lives, Taylor and I have been used to having a "normal" schedule and traveling ministry is anything but that. It has been a challenge transitioning in areas such as relocation, finances, and most of all the aforementioned schedule.

However, the blessings of seeing God work and shape us have made it completely worthwhile. I sit at this laptop a year removed, knowing full well that I am a different person than when I stepped out. It is easy to see the incredible changes in Taylor as well, as I have seen him grow as a worship leader, but most of all in knowledge and insight of the Word. There's no one I'd rather be on the road with, or that I trust more to lead students to the feet of Christ in worship through song.

I am happy to give you this update: Dave Kakish, who traveled with us throughout the summer last year, will be staying in Mobile this summer to serve as an intern at Dayspring Baptist Church. Dave has been a tremendous blessing, and he was confident that the Lord had called him to serve in a local church. Please pray that God use Dave mightily for His glory, gracing him with much humility, love and a heart bent toward service as he pours his life out this summer to advance the Kingdom. We love you, brother!

Over the course of the last year, God placed Chase Stephenson in our lives and he will arrive tonight in Birmingham and will make several trips with us this summer. Please pray that God will use Chase greatly this summer to pour into students, and to develop his heart. I greatly anticipate that God will use Chase in our life as well, and am looking forward to time on the road and at camp with him.

So here's a rundown of the summer, so you can be praying for us:

Beginning tomorrow, we reconnect with Broadmoor Baptist Young Professionals ministry in Destin from May 25-28. Most of our time there will center on worship, prayer, and building relationships. There won't be any messages scheduled, but as we know - church happens when people come together and open their hearts to one another. Please pray that God would work greatly by giving us favor and would be exalted in our time together.

On May 28th, we leave for Panama City for Westwood Baptist's Camp. Our new T-shirts will be arriving, and they look incredible. You'll be able to order them soon enough online! There are 2 new designs and a significant upgrade to the "Methuselah was old" shirt! I really think you guys are going to love them. Taylor is leading worship for Westwood, and David Whitten will be preaching. Please pray that God would use Taylor, and that Chase and I would find favor with the people there so as to open doors of ministry through conversations with the adults and students.

We leave Friday, June 1, to go to Lousiana for Jonathan Hart and Liz Kelly's wedding which happens on June 2nd. We have one night off on June 3rd, and then travel to Auburn, AL for Youth Explosion with Parkway Baptist. There, I'll be preaching the Gospel and a message dealing with following Christ. This is a 2 night event from June 4-5th.

On June 6th, we have a one night revival with Sedon Baptist, and then on June 7-9th - we're in Calhoun County with Eulaton Baptist doing revival services with their youth.

On June 10th, Taylor is off, but I go to Breakaway where I will be preaching, serving, and building r'ships through June 21st.

On June 24th-27th, we travel to Mt. Calvary for a Youth Revival-type series of services with that youth group. Taylor will be leading for these services. That weekend, we fly out for Boston to be with the Arabic Church Conference and to reunite with Dave. Taylor and Dave were present last year, and this year I will take my first trip ever to the great state of Massachusetts (which is a difficult word to spell). The conference goes from June 29th - July 2nd.

On July 2nd, we fly to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to hook up with Macedonia Baptist for a week of camp from July 2nd-6th. Please pray for smooth flights, no delays, and much strength - especially for that first night.

On July 11-15, Taylor and I go to Breakaway camp in Pigeon Forge, and on the 15th, I leave for Destin, FL for the Breakaway camp that begins there that night. On the 19th, Breakaway wraps up for the summer, and we travel to Pompono, FL where we will be with Iglesia Bautista de Pompano's youth ministry for a week of camp.

On the 27th, we travel to Selma for Daniel Jones' wedding which is on the 28th. On July 29th, we turn around and head back to Florida for Double Oak Community Church's youth camp at Laguna Beach that goes through August 2nd.

At this point, we will be done with camps. On August 12-15th, we conclude our summer with Macedonia Baptist's Youth Revival.

Please pray for energy, perseverance, and a glorious summer of growth in our hearts. We also ask that you pray for brokenness in the hearts of the students, revival in the student ministries, true worship, much favor with those we minister too including adults, and humility to cover our lives.

Please keep coming to the website, and we will update throughout the summer. Thank you for sharing in our lives and ministry. God bless.

-TD