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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
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Saturday
Jul122008

Andy Park in the House

DateSaturday, July 12, 2008 at 4:01PM

I'm sitting at the church listening to Andy Park do a sound check.  He's leading a night of worship tonight and at our service tomorrow.
I am always moved when he leads; there is so much content in the songs he sings and it always causes me to connect in a special way for some reason.
I don't really have much to say about it, just that I am blessed and thankful once again for those with the gift and anointing to lead worship.   I think regarding myself, I take it for granted, but when I am able to experience it, I realize how blessed and powerful it is.

AuthorCarl Tuttle | Comment4 Comments |

Reader Comments (4)

Well if I can say so Carl, I felt that way when you led worship and spoke at The Vineyard in Gilbert AZ a few years ago.

Peace!
Keith

July 13, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKeith

The Andy Park worship event at Faith Community Church was outstanding.

Thank you.

July 16, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

I agree with Keith! I feel the same way every Sunday and Wednesday at Faith when you lead worship. We are truly blessed to have you as our worship pastor! You definitely have the gifts and the anointing!

July 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKaren

Carl, I was at a conference in CA many years ago where you and a few other people led worship: I always looked forward to the times when you led it. If I remember correctly, during one set you were complaining about having to follow a well-known and powerful gospel voice who had just performed! Little did you know that when you led worship it seemed like billows of love rolled out over us--always amazing to me. I was longing to worship, not to be entertained. Those gifts are irrevocable! I recently watched on GodTV a conference based in Vancouver where Brian Doerkson led the worship, and I wept as I listened to it. How I miss that Vineyard rain! I don't want to deify any particular movement, but the way the Spirit moved on the Vineyard was always remarkable to me. That was years ago, of course, and I've "been there, done that, got the T-shirt" on many spiritual seasons since then. Music styles have evolved remarkably since then with LOTS of interesting and valuable expressions of worship, but the one that I love the most and truthfully believe I see the Spirit respond most powerfully to is that stunning, intimate, bedroom worship: the place where we pour out our love on Him. It had the power to truly change people as they worshipped: something I see so little of these days. I pray something so precious never gets left behind.

September 13, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnn

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