Realizing God’s call was a slow process that took place over several years. Looking back, I think it began one evening after a Christian concert. I believe it was the band Big Tent Revival playing in concert that night. I remember leaving the concert with a strong desire to want to play guitar in a band. I lay in my bed praying and seeking the Lord, and I clearly heard God tell me that I needed to start learning to play the guitar if that is what I wanted to do. I began practicing every day after that and, within a few months, I was playing in the youth praise team. This turned into playing in the praise team for the whole church and singing in the choir and a 6-week tour with The Continentals. This experience at the concert brought a purpose and direction for my life, and I didn’t even realize it at the time. It led me to become more and more involved in my home church and gave me confidence, as I was an incredibly shy person.

The first time a really began to think seriously about ministry was after my grandfather’s funeral. I ended up leading a couple praise songs during the service along with my dad, brother, and a friend. After the service, several of my friends (who were there) told me it looked like I missed my calling. They could see something in me as I led those two songs. The worship pastor also noticed something, and that is when he first started having me fill in on occasion while he was out of town. I began praying and thinking about the possibility of surrendering to the ministry. One Sunday after church, I talked to the worship pastor about what I was thinking. He prayed with me and encouraged me to continue to pray and think about it to make sure. Surrendering to the ministry was not something to take lightly. After talking with the worship pastor about the possibility, I continued to think and pray about what God was calling me to do.

In March of 2008, we got married and had our future together all planned out. We thought Joyce would work for two more years. Then we would start having kids, and she would stay home with them. This turned out to not be God’s plan.

A few months after getting married, it hit me one Sunday that God was really calling me, and I needed to surrender to the call. I resisted at first and didn’t go forward that Sunday, but I talked to Joyce about it some more. I also prayed that God would somehow confirm the call, and I would surrender the next Sunday. That next Sunday, the sermon was on Isaiah 6, where it says “here am I, Lord send me.” I knew at that moment that God had confirmed the call. Again, I resisted and was too afraid to go forward in the early service. During Sunday school, the teacher said in passing, “Who knows Nathan may be up there leading music one day.” This was even more confirmation of what God was telling me to do.

We started to drive home, and I kept driving slower and slower, until I was going at least 20 mph below the speed limit. Joyce knew something was up. She mentioned that I could go back to the church and go forward in the second service. She tried to stay quiet and let me decide what I was going to do. I continued to struggle with the idea until Joyce said “if God tells you to do something and you don’t do it, there is a word for that.” That statement really made me think about what our future would be like if I didn’t follow God and what kind of example I would be setting for our future family. This finally gave me the courage to drive back to the church and go forward to surrender to the ministry. Joyce and I still joke that I don’t run away from God; I drive away like a grandpa, because of driving 20 below the speed limit.

A few weeks later, I was struggling with doubt. At the same time, God was speaking to Joyce. After a period of prayer and fasting, God again confirmed what we had been hearing through an experience at a pull out over looking a river between Aztec and Durango. To read more about this story check out the blog post Lessons Learned at the River: Sheep on the Rocks.

I am not exactly sure what specifically God is calling me to do. When I first surrendered, I was open to whatever God wanted me to do. In the back of my mind, I figured it would be leading music, because that is where I have the most experience. All the ministers I know suggested that I go back to school to prepare for ministry. I first needed to finish my bachelor’s degree. I thought I would get one in church music, but God had other plans. I auditioned to get into the music program at Hardin-Simmons University, but did not get accepted. This caused me to reevaluate, and I eventually decided to get a computer science degree with a minor in music.

Joyce and I moved to Abilene in August of 2009, after quitting our jobs and selling our house. We soon found a local church home, RidgeCrest Baptist, a small new church plant. We started a college class in October, and in January I began leading the music. The role seemed to fit, and I enjoyed serving in that position. We had many good experiences there. Sadly, that church plant failed to thrive, and the church disbanded shortly before I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. Before I even started seminary, I had learned many valuable ministry lessons that will impact whatever ministry God directs me to in the future.

During this time, I was also struggling with what direction I would take once I started seminary. I thought about church music again, but soon realized that the minor in music was really as far as I wanted to go in music education. I looked at the Logsdon website, and the family ministry program really spoke to me. I thought about all the families that are struggling and marriages that need help, and I wanted to do something to help families.

While I am still unsure exactly what God has for me, I am thinking right now that it may be working for a small church leading music and helping families in someway. I continue to remain open minded to the direction that God leads.