revival.thirstysoul

This past weekend I had the pleasure of ministering with one of my closest friends, Gerard Henry in Kingstown, North Carolina. Some of you may know Gerard, as he is the host for BET’s Gospel program “Lift Every Voice” (Seen every Sunday). This was actually my FIRST public ministry appearance. So for your boy — this was a huge step towards the things God has called me into.

I’ve known Gerard for nearly 6yrs, but it wasn’t until the last 2 that God began knitting our hearts together. Probably the most compelling characteristic about Gerard that kind of hooks you and pulls you in… is his deep love for kids and family. He is also a sports guy and very competitive as well. What’s most provoking about him? Well…its his spiritual intensity and passion for the Lord. He has high standards, I consider him a young general in the spirit — a no-nonsense type of guy. He’s about as authentic as they come with a real assignment from God to impact youth all over the world, through media, entertainment and the arts.

On that note, let me update you on a recent trip he invited me to go on with him. This trip was basically setup to be a TEENSUMMIT Q&A type of format or program that Gerard would host. There were several major personalities who appeared as panelist. It was designed to allow youth and young adults to have a platform to speak on critical topics that aren’t discussed in the church i.e.) abortion, homosexuality, Teen Sex, Drugs etc.

Kim Burrell

One of the personalities I happen to be a big fan of was there too — Kim Burrell. Kim is gifted psalmist prophet of God’s word through song. She has a strong deliverance anointing on her that arises in power as she sings. Her voice is endowed with greatness, but what I love about her most, especially having had the opportunity to meet her is her humbleness of heart. She’s a bonafide servant of Christ. No artificiality going on with her! Nope! and I love it!

Overcoming Fear

During the program I was VERY nervous and somewhat intimidated, but evenso I felt a calm peace that seemed to straddle me into balance…saying it’s okay Darrian this is the first of many. I begin to look at the crowd. There was a significant amount of youth there too, if I were to guess, I’d say it was between 250-300 people. So I was in some real intense warfare at times, wondering how would the Lord use me in this environment, I’d never been in something like this before.

Nonetheless I just begin to pray and I remember asking the Holy Spirit to help me when it was my turn to minister. For those of you who know, God uses me very strongly in the seer anointing. Often times I receive strong revelations and insights during casual conversations and discourses, which generally end up progressing into visions and significant unveiling’s. It’s like a bubbling up, but I didn’t know how God would manifest Himself through my music, because I wasn’t speaking. Although the atmosphere to that point was unshaken, I did feel, however that there would be an outpouring. How? I didn’t have that answer.

So what did I do — I prayed within myself, “Holy Spirit help me!”, and I heard the still voice of the Holy Spirit say, “Darrian bust the atmosphere open!” So as I prepared my song I begin to sing I could hear the nervousness in my voice. Finally I was done singing. Gerard begin to minister by asking the youth to respond and as the kids did, he felt that they did not know how to be open in sharing their hearts to God.

As I sensed his words and where he was going I transitioned and begin to sing “Just to be close you, just to be close to you, just to be close to you — Is my desire” …this song proved to be the song that prepared the way for the song of the Lord, after I rested on that song for 5 or so minutes… I begin to prophetically sing that “Jesus is the One, Jesus is the One, the Lover of my soul” …and then the atmosphere was broken and the kids begin to weep and cry under the intimate presence of the Lord. I realized that there are youth out there, particularly in the black church who have never had a Love encounter with the Lord. They’ve never received the true intimacy of the Lord. The Lord that night exposed them to His love for good.

I had overcome my fears by trusting and depending in the Love of Jesus — and He would come to minister to His sons and daughters as I exalted Him as LORD through song.

Are you near a first in ministry friend?

Trust in the Lord with thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. And in all thine ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. - Prov 3:5