This blog you are about to read is 4 years in the making.
It has taken me several years and many long nights to be able to write this today. So many people ask me from time to time how I got to Athens, Georgia and how I became a worship leader at Athens Church. I decided to write this blog and explain in detail how God did it all.
Let’s go back to the year 2007. I had been in full time church ministry for awhile in Chickamauga, Georgia serving in student ministry roles and worship leading roles. I had an amazing job and a great life with incredible friends. However, throughout that year I had an emptiness inside. I was in a season of not knowing what to do next. I felt that my time in Northwest Georgia was coming to an end. But I did not know what that meant. I had spent many days and nights praying and pleading with the Lord to do something in me. I had become miserable. But throughout the whole experience God had been faithful. Through different people and circumstances, God would reveal to me to “bloom” right where I’m planted and when it was time for me to move on, HE would do it for me. It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth the wait.
After 6 years of full time student/music ministry, I stepped out on faith in December of 2007 and put my notice in. I felt peace about my future even though I had no clue where I was going. I interviewed with two different churches in Atlanta and both doors closed. I looked into moving to Nashville and that door shut as well.
It was a weekend in January of 2008 that I traveled down to my old hometown of Commerce, Georgia to visit my best friend and his wife. It had snowed that weekend and the roads were a little icy but drivable. We had went to lunch that Sunday after church when my friend told me that I should apply for a teaching job at Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens. So, the next day I did just that. To my surprise, I was interviewed the next week and hired the week after that. God moved quick on that one.
I was so excited to be moving back to the place I grew up. I looked forward to hanging out with all my old pals and experiencing a brand new life in dawg country. Well I got moved in and had all my plans figured out…I’m sure God smiled at that one. My plans were to get involved at my friend’s church out in the small country town of Colbert, Georgia which is what I did for a few months of living here. I thought that would be the best fit for me and that I would do perfectly fine there. But, God has something else planned….
This is where Athens Church comes into play. I had heard about AC a few years before moving back to Athens because I was very familiar with North Point Community Church (which AC is a part of if you didn’t know). It was April of 08’ when I had a friend invite me to go with him and his family to AC one Sunday. I thought to myself “I’ll go, but it’s definitely not where I want to attend on a regular basis”…
I remember the day I stepped foot into AC. I enjoyed the service and the music was amazing. As we were getting ready to leave, a gentleman from the church asked me if I was a worship leader (the reason he asked is b/c the guy I was with told him)…I said “yes sir, I am”…He then proceeded to tell me that AC was having auditions for musicians and worship leaders in a couple of weeks…..HERE IS WHERE THE STORY GETS A LITTLE FUNNY =)
I kid you not, the whole time this guy was talking to me about auditions all I could think about was getting out of there and going to lunch with my friends. So, when the conversation was coming to an end (or at least I thought it was), the gentleman said “let me introduce you to Mike”…he works with our musicians. AHHHH….I didn’t want to go but I did. I apologized to my friends who were waiting on me and they said “don’t worry, it’s fine”…I met Mike and he was really cool and nice and gave me his email address and told me a little about the auditions…but, the whole time he was talking to me I was thinking “I’m really not interested, I don’t want to audition, it’s not for me!”…but I never voiced that to Mike…I just smiled and said “thanks!”….Well as soon as that conversation was over, I was ready to go to lunch! BUT, OH NO…it wasn’t near to being over…The gentleman who was showing me around said “You should meet our Student Pastor Charles.” By now, I’m thinking to myself “You’ve got to be kidding me”…All I want to do is leave this building and go eat lunch…Seriously guys, I couldn’t make this story up if I tried! Ha. Well, as the minutes roll on, I go to the Foundry Building behind the Classic Center to meet Charles Ficken. I remember it very well…He was super nice to me and I could tell he had a very out-going personality. Like minutes before, all I could think about was leaving the place and going to lunch…Funny how God works huh?? Well, Charles asked me right then and there to go to lunch and talk. So we exchanged information and a week later we had lunch at Aqua Linda Mexican Restaurant. Finally, I leave the Classic Center and we go to lunch! Little did I know but the Holy Spirit started something that day in my heart that would lead me into a dream and vision from years before. I’ll explain that later…So remember ok? =)
By now, I bet you’re so captured by my story right?? Ha. Jk. But for real, the story gets really good. So stick with me! Ok, so we meet up at Aqua Linda and we had a great conversation. This is probably when the Lord started stirring my heart towards AC. Charles bought my lunch which I thought was really awesome and didn’t expect. He talked to me about coming one Sunday and leading worship for “Xtreme” and “Inside Out”…I did think that would be a cool thing no doubt.
So, now comes the audition. After a couple of weeks of AC stirring in my brain and much prayer, I decided to audition to be a worship leader. The process was pretty stressful for me. I was NERVOUS beyond belief it was all that I could think about. I practiced the songs they wanted us to audition with over and over and over. I made sure I knew them inside and out. The “audition” email gave us two songs to learn and then to have an extra song to sing in case.
The day had come. The time had come. The moment had arrived. I went to Nuci’s Space that evening and as I walked through the door someone was there from AC with a sign in sheet. I sat there and waited a few minutes before they called my name. I took my guitar into a closed room. As I walked through the door I saw three people sitting behind a table. Sound familiar? Yeah, it definitely reminded me of Simon, Paula, and Randy a.k.a. American Idol auditions. HA. But seriously I was intimidated to say the least. I was in a whole new world. I was now playing a different ballgame folks.
Well, I sang both of the audition songs and the “judges” talked to me for a few minutes about who I am and what I do…you know, the usual. After that, I asked them if they wanted me to sing and play the “extra” song that mentioned in the email. They said “you’re the first person to ask that, so yeah let’s hear it”…The song I had planned to sing was “Unchanging”…the slow more intimate version of the Chris Tomlin song. I finished the audition and left the room and got into my car. Now, pay attention to this next part. I remember sitting in the parking lot and feeling absolutely sick to my stomach and miserable. I told God right then and there “That was the worst I’ve ever done”…I felt that my audition was terrible!! However, when God pours out FAVOR on you, then BIG things happen. Two weeks later, I get a phone call from Mike (AC staffer) and he said we would like to invite you to come and lead worship for us in May. I about fainted when he said that. I couldn’t believe my ears! I was blown away and so excited.
Now, are you ready for some chill bumps?? Here they come. A little while after the phone call I was by myself when the Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to me. The Holy Spirit brought up a memory from a few years back when I was at a North Point Community Church event. The memory consisted of me sitting out in the audience and I was worshipping and at the same time in “awe” of the whole experience of NP. I was so overwhelmed by the excellence in their worship leading and in their amazing production. The memory also consisted of this: I sat there in my seat at NP that night and told GOD a desire of my heart…you ready guys?? HERE IT IS: I told GOD “God, I want to be a part of something like this one day”….THE Holy Spirit reminded me of that desire I told GOD a few years back. The doors to my soul blew wide open right then and there in that moment. GOD gave me the desires of my heart! Psalm 37:4 tells us to “delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”…It’s so true. Even though it took a few years, God blessed me with my desires. I’m so thankful it was in HIS timing because I was NOT ready when I first told God my heart’s desires.
Friends, God gives us dreams and visions for our lives. Think about it. What has HE given you to dream and focus on? How have you pursued it? Are you walking daily in that vision He gave you? Are you working at it? Who are you surrounding yourself with that is helping you achieve your dream?
People ask me all the time how I got to Athens Church and I get to share my GOD-SIZED story with them. I also get asked at least every week if not more “Brit, what do you want to do with music? Or, I get told “Brit, I wish something HUGE would happen for you with music”…..My answer is always the same…I tell them things like: ”It already has happened, or It’s happening now, or I’m actually doing what I want to do now”…I tell them “I get to sing at Athens Church which was a desire of my heart, or I get to travel all over the place singing already.” You see my point? I’m living out my dream now…now…and it’s an amazing place to be. I’m very grateful for where I’m at. Trust me on this…if you spend your days wishing for something else to happen…well when it does, you’ll only wish for something better to happen. LEARN to BLOOM right where you’re planted and GOD will work and open up doors you never thought possible. I’m excited about the next chapter of my life whatever that maybe. But I know that I’ll be taking it day by day and not worrying about it. Taking matters into your own hands will always lead to a road of poison. I’ve learned that GOD will put you where HE wants you when HE wants you to be there. In other words, “I’m very satisfied and happy because I’m living out my dream. I’m walking in the vision God gave me.” In the past 4 years of being at Athens Church, open doors of opportunity have flooded my doorstep. I’ve recorded two records and God has blessed me in ways unthinkable. I have seen firsthand Ephesians 3:20 come to life “20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” GOD had these plans for me with AC long before I was formed. He is in CONTROL. I rest in that each and every day. I’m so thankful for my pastor and his leadership, Sean Seay. I get to play and lead worship with some amazing musicians and worship leaders. I’m overwhelmed by my community of friends as well. It’s a great life!
God has went FAR ABOVE AND BEYOND all I’ve ever asked for. I consistently declare favor over my life and music…and friends, I see it every day. I walk in the favor of the Lord. I tell you all this to encourage you with my story. If you have a dream, chase it. Declare favor over it. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you. Develop your talent and abilities whatever they may be. God has a purpose for you. It’s a unique purpose that only you can walk into. Don’t compare yourself to others in your field. You are who you are and GOD will do it through you.
I hope you’re encouraged by this story of purpose and destiny. I love sharing it because it all points back to JESUS. Walk into the favor filled life you were meant to walk in. Blessings my friends!
In His Grip,
Brit