Revival Times 2017 May 2017 | Page 24

viewpoint Getting baptised was the best thing I’ve done since giving my life to Christ. It completed me. Since then I know my ultimate mission in life, why God placed me in the music industry and what I need to do with the platform I have been given. My goal and mission is to reach to my generation, from the boys in the neighbourhood to the people in the crowds at the music shows. Being baptised means so much to me, it’s not just an expression of my faith, but also the end of one season of my life - being distracted with the things of the world - and the beginning of a new - a future dedicated to living for Jesus. Over the years I have met and become friend with some incredible people, played at some amazing shows, but for me none of that means more to than my baptism. Being on tour Tori Kelly was an amazing experience not because she’s an amazing person and singer but because she’s a believer. I had conversations with her mum about how to keep your faith whilst being in the industry and telling me what books to read, and her Dad schooling me on being a strong man of faith and what it means to be a great Dad just by setting an example. Even whilst being on tour my cell leader would check on me daily and make sure I’m doing ok, giving me scriptures to read while on the road. That ultimately showed me it’s possible to keep your faith whist being in the industry. Which led me to the greatest day of my life; my baptism! If I had the time I’d probably have been baptised last year, but we were on the road for 10 out of the 12 months. This year being on a little break from touring, I had time to sit down with Scott, a great friend, and told him I want to live for God and God alone. I knew it was now or never. I’d run out of excuses and it was time, I knew I wanted to be a light in the music industry. We spoke about what would be the next step in my discipleship walk. Like many people around me he was shocked that that I hadn’t been baptised, I knew I had to do it right away and he helped me make that step. 24 Revival Times May 2017 I’m grateful that through the years, even though I didn’t always take them up on it, people have prayed, prophesied and were ready to be there for me. I’m so thankful for my cell men, and I sense that now it is our turn, us who were the “the youth” to take our place and be the role models and become the pillars of the church that the younger lads can look up to. Not because I’m perfect but because like the mentors that helped me, I’m also following after Jesus. ❖ MY BAPTISM IS NOT JUST AN EXPRESSION OF MY FAITH, IT MARKED A NEW SEASON OF LIVING FOR JESUS