Changes...

I’ve not talked much about SoulFire on this blog and it seems kind of weird since it’s been such a huge part of my life over the last three years. I’m not going to give the band’s history here…if you want to read it you can go to our website.

The reason I write today is because change is in the air. After three years of ministry SoulFire (in the words of Tim) “is in its twilight moment, with the end of this journey just around the corner. We have had an amazing three years together, performing for God and worshipping with so many wonderful people. Growing to be more than just a band, we are a family. We've had some great moments throughout this journey, and we're eternally grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to be used by God so mightily, it has been an honor. But God is moving His players. And we, of course, are following His lead.”

As of July 15, our lead guy, Tim, accepted the worship director position at our home church. It was a decision that God made extremely clear not only to Tim, but to the rest of the band, as well. Looking back I can see that God has been moving us in this direction for quite some time. I, personally, am very excited for Tim and this new adventure he, and his family, are now on. His desire has always been to advance he kingdom of God by pointing hearts toward Him through musical worship. And, for this season, God has asked him to do that at the local church level. As a result, it is clear that SoulFire is not to continue.

Ending SoulFire is bittersweet…we have invested so much in each other over the last three years. We have encouraged each other, challenged each other, and comforted each other when we lost Mark last October. But God is moving and that is always a good thing! What an incredible privilege it was to have been a part of what He has done through SoulFire.

So a big thank you to every SoulFire fan, every t-shirt wearer, every CD listener, and to those faithful few who showed up wherever we played! You know who you are. We believe God has fulfilled His purpose for SoulFire and we could never have done it without your love, support, and devotion. Thanks for accepting us with open arms, every time. It’s hard to put into words what that means as a performer…to have you worship our great God in such a way that we disappeared before your eyes as you came face to face with Jesus. Thanks to you, SoulFire’s reach extends very far. Did you know that SoulFire is on the radio in Brasil and in Houston, Texas? How does that happen without you? It cannot. Words cannot express, so a humble thank you will have to do....

And to my brothers in SoulFire…what can I say? I will simply echo the sentiments of Tim and say “a deeply indebted thank you. I'm so glad it was you guys who were with me. And I'm thankful for every part of our journey together. What a ride this has been, from the beginnings in Brazil, to countless concerts and evenings of worship at FCC, to Marshalltown, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Pella, back to Brazil, and so many places in between. I'm proud of what's been accomplished through our little band. And I'm so very thankful for each of you. For sticking together like a solid family should during our darkest hour, when our Mark was taken home to glory. For being faithful to God's call. For allowing God to use you to reach so many for His glory…with the one goal always at the forefront of leading people towards our Heavenly Father.” Thanks to Tim for leading us into battle for our Worship Leader, the Holy Spirit. I love you guys so much, mere words cannot express. You can never stop the ‘Fire’.

So now what, you may ask, happens for the Fire? We're opening for Starfield September 2, then we play September 23 for FCC's morning services, and that's the end as we see it. The truth is bands come and go, so this doesn't surprise God by any means. In fact, He has orchestrated this so clearly that we'd be blatantly out of His will to continue. But the ‘Fire’ is not a band. The ‘Fire’ is not a catchy phrase on a t-shirt (which you can buy in the SoulFire store for discount price, by the way). The ‘Fire’ is the Holy Spirit, alive and consuming. It burns deeper than ever for God's fame to be known, wherever he takes us. And who knows what God has in store?!? We put our hope only in the Lord, and our future rests comfortably with Him.

Psalm 91:1-2: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress. My God in whom I trust.”