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Jason's Story
I became a Christian aged 17, after never being in a church, with a dramatic conversion experience. I visited a local church that was helping my mother after my father had walked out, and I had two brothers, one aged 15 the other, 1 year old.It was my first experience of a place full of worship, life, and talk about relationship with Jesus. Given that the violence and abuse in my home, when the youth pastor told me becoming a Christian might make life more difficult, he gave me a hard sell.

But I was invited into a life meaning, adventure and purpose, with something to live for and something to die for. I gave my life to Jesus on the spot, when I heard that.Then I knew everything had to change, that my life was His, and my future plans were now His to direct.

I ended up working for a bank, then doing a theology degree, then working as an investment broker in London whilst helping plant churches, and started my family during this time, having met my wife at seminary.

Carl was a huge part of my story. I wouldn't have planted a church if it wasn't for one particular meeting in Brighton, that he was involved in, that allowed me to step out within my denomination.
Then in the midst of planting, I had a full nervous breakdown in 1999, overwork, my drug of choice, instead of my parent and siblings use of alcohol.
Very few people were there during that time outside my church, finding mental health hard to get involved with.

But Carl was, I remember his phone call to me, and the relief in knowing someone had been through something similar, and he helped me find hope and connection to Jesus.  So several years later, I'm still in ministry, still trying to keep it real, as I know lecture and teach at seminaries, and have found that Jesus had an academic as well as church planting journey for me.

Jason Clark

Tuttle Thoughts Archive
« Trusting and Resting in Jesus | Main | Isolation and growth »
Wednesday
May092007

You've been erased!

DateWednesday, May 9, 2007 at 7:54PM

I received an inquiry recently regarding my absence from the 25 year anniversary of the Association of Vineyard Churches and the 30 year anniversary of the Anaheim Vineyard. Along with it came a question regarding my exclusion from a songbook that included the Vineyards top 100 songs.
Hmmmm, Don't know exactly what to say, other than it's okay. It is a bit strange to be 'erased', but on the other hand, I probably received more accolades, visibility and affirmation than I deserved in times past. In other words, at one time I was very visible in 'the movement', now I'm invisible, neither has anything to do with who I am.
When I was 'visible' or popular, whatever the right word is, I tried to accept it and be as down to earth as possible. Now being invisible, I seek to handle it the same way. 'The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.'
Seen or unseen by people, I am still a child of God, attended to and looked after by God my Father.  I'm good with that.

AuthorCarl Tuttle | Comment3 Comments |

Reader Comments (3)

The Father worthy of worship is greater than the "father of Vineyard worship" any day...sorry Carl, couldn't resist :-)

Personally, I still find it a blessing when I sing one of the "old" songs by you, John and Eddie. Any of the songs you guys were inspired to write are in the top 100 of ANY music book, at least in my opinion. I still play your last CD often and it is awesome.

I am truly glad that you are where you are at and are OK with it. I pray for your continued healing and that God will continue to use you to bless His own.

Peace!

Timothy

May 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterTimothy

Well Carl, you have to have "been" to be a "has been" :) so that is not bad, I guess...You should get a copy of the "panel" discussion from the first day of the recent conference...Read between the lines, it was amazing...
But anyway, I am praying that God will give you some amazing new songs...

May 30, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterCharlie Wear

Firesign Theater had a little piece on an album called "Lessons in Turkish". There is a segment on it which a Turkish native is asking a tourist,"Have you seen the past? Oh you must, they're cleaning it you know." An obvious refference to erasing the past and creating a new one to better serve the purpose of the powers that be. You seem to have a pretty heathy attitude about though. Shaking the dust from your feet and moving on.

Namaste',
Leslie

May 31, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterLeslie

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