Entering a New Season
For the past seven years, God has given me the opportunity to glorify Jesus through the medium of Hip-hop. I’ve been privileged to release three solo albums, and I’ve been a part of numerous compilation albums. I’ve participated in four tours, performed in the states and overseas, and sought to use every opportunity to point to the Good News of Jesus. As if that wasn’t enough, I’ve also been given numerous opportunities to teach and preach in a wide variety of places. And all of this while pursuing a degree! When I sit back and reflect on all the Lord has done, I’m truly blown away. I’m deeply grateful to God for EVERY opportunity He has given me. From the small block parties with fifteen in attendance, to the packed out tour dates with thousands–I consider each opportunity to be a precious gift. I want to thank each of you that has so consistently supported us over these years. God has given us grace to go hard for the glory of Jesus, and I don’t intend on stopping any time soon.
One of the things you consistently hear in our music is a desire to keep Christ as our main focus, not albums. My deepest desire is to see Christ glorified, and I want to be faithful to the ways He’s calling me to serve. As some of you know, I desire to serve in pastoral ministry (1 Timothy 3). An opportunity has come up for me to take part in an internship aimed at teaching and training men for this noble task. I jumped at the opportunity to sit and learn from men who’ve faithfully served in ministry for years. This particular internship is unique in that it includes both learning about the church and watching what I’m learning being put into action. The program marries reading and thinking about what God calls for from His church and observing how a healthy church seeks to flesh those things out.
In order to take full advantage of this internship, I will not be doing any concerts or working on any music, with very few exceptions. I consider it a more-than-worthy sacrifice because this program will mature me and prepare me for future service of God and His people. The internship will also be a unique season for me, because I will not be in any leadership positions, nor will I do any teaching or preaching. Therefore, I will have the opportunity to just sit and glean and to serve in less “glamorous” ways. I think it will be good for my heart to be away from the “spotlight” for a season. So in addition to taking a break from touring, I will also be taking a break from Twitter, Facebook, and all the ways I keep in contact with those of you who support us. This will allow me to posture myself strictly as a learner and take full advantage of the season ahead of me.
However, I have prepared a series of blogs and new songs that will be posted on the site during my time away. You can expect a post from me every 1st and 3rd Tuesday here on ReachRecords.com. Some of the good folks here at Reach will have access to my Twitter and Facebook during this five months to give you guys reminders.
This all begins next week. So please pray for my wife and me during this time–that God would teach us, grow us, and prepare us for a life in His service.
Grace and Peace
All Comments 46
Good for you man. I will definitely be praying for you. Your music is such a blessing, I am sure your other ministry will be as well.
Jack
– Jan 4 2011
awesome.
Aaquil
– Jan 4 2011
Awesome. Ur willingness to follow the call and make sacrifices along the way is an inspiration. Praying for you!
@jon_stem
– Jan 4 2011
Do ya thing kid!
Chunky c
– Jan 4 2011
This is monumental. Excited for you, love you bro.
Michael
– Jan 4 2011
Amen. More power to u, and may the grace of God be upon ur life in ways never seen before. I pray the Lord opens doors even more than what he's already opened, and bless you and your family ten fold. We'll miss you!!
Sincerely,
A fan
Tanya
– Jan 4 2011
Bless God. That's what's up! Def praying for you and your family.
Jon
– Jan 4 2011
A true example for us all to follow. No matter where you have been positioned, Trip, you are proving you are what you proclaim by constantly pursuing Jesus. You've always illustrated that you live for Christ, and you are painting a viv
Jay Stafford
– Jan 4 2011
Thats what up my Guy I like this. . .real talk
3xodu
– Jan 4 2011
congrats brother. the wisdom to lead...is the wisdom to follow...
Terrell
– Jan 4 2011
Grate Work in your success in life!
Will pray for You and Your wife aswell =]
Synamon treco
– Jan 4 2011
Congrats & good luck on your journey! I will hold you down in the streets with your classic records.
Ap
– Jan 4 2011
man?ur deep,im from kenya n u guys gyv us hop 4 Jesus,u remind us guys of the higher calin. May God bles u in ministry n in evry aspect of lyf. He's with you man. God bless
joseph
– Jan 4 2011
Yeah, Godbless and be with you and your wife, really enjoy your music bro... may God increase grace in your lives to growing in Him in this season.
kisstheson
– Jan 4 2011
We will be praying for you during this time in your life. We completely understand how you feel, because we are here to serve God.
Angel
– Jan 4 2011
Way to remain true to what your music is about: doing what God desires us to do for HIM, through his son, Jesus Christ.
Dan
– Jan 4 2011
Good Luck man. I will be praying for you and your wife.
John
– Jan 4 2011
I'll be praying for you as well. Music lasts forever and I know your music will continue to bless this world while God is blessing you in this season in your life. Stay encouraged and God Bless!!!
Chere
– Jan 4 2011
its so nice that you guys have a blog now.....here in malawi we love your music so much....i have every album.....we young and unshamed here....and its so exciting to know flame is coming over....every one is so excited!!!!!!we will continue praying for you and your family trip...you guys might not have any idea about how greatly you have changed our lives....may God greatly bless you....
daisy.
Daisy sibale
– Jan 4 2011
These next five months will be precious and rewarding for you and your family. You will come out of this time with a G5 force I am quite sure. Godspeed!
Ben
– Jan 4 2011
Congrats on your internship you'll do great!! I will pray for you and your journey!
Ashley
– Jan 4 2011
I commend you for this decision and I pray that you receive what God has planned for you on your journey. I, myself, have a very rough road ahead of me. Along with Trip, to anyone else reading this, please keep Trip and myself in prayer. Thank you Trip for all the music and teachings you have given to us. Glory to God!!
Andrew
– Jan 4 2011
U are truly blessed and it is such a blessing that you will have this opportunity. It seems like it will be a very humbling experience. We all know that when God says go, we should ho. So I support every aspect of your calling. I pray that you and your wife gain everything you need through this experience according to tha will of God. Stay blessed!!
Sherronda
– Jan 4 2011
THATS AWESOME THAT YOU ARE TAKING THIS OPP FOR YOU AND YOUR WIFE MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU THRU THIS INTERNSHIP AND ONWARD THRU YOUR FUTURE MINISTRY!!! GO HARD FOR THE LORD!!!!
nAY
– Jan 4 2011
Thank u, we(as a member of the Body & also fan) look forward to benefiting frm ur experience wether directly or indirectly. Praying and your wife a full experience of God Godness thru this season& beyond.
Tsholo Mhlanga
– Jan 4 2011
Man...that's what's up, Trip! I was just about to try to work on getting you and Lecrae in Orlando for one of our games this year! Maybe we can just get Lecrae! Your music has been very influential for me, my family and friends, and even the Florida Flight (www.flighthoops.com). It's good to have a high quality Christian alternative to offer hip-hop heads! Praying for you man!
Mark King
– Jan 4 2011
Man I think this is an awesome opportunity, and all my prayers go to you and your wife. I think its amazing how you look at it as well. I know that God is doing something amazing to impact you, as you impact the world with your worship. We are all rooting for you and know that God will allow his will to be done upon this opportunity. Thank you for your many blessing that you've given through your music and will keep you in prayer brotha.!..
Barry B. from P4CM
– Jan 4 2011
Way to follow Jesus. Thank-you for this example of serving and the cost of discipleship. It costs nothing to be saved but everything to be discipled. May God bless you in this time.
jon ruby
– Jan 4 2011
I have to say you are an awesome writer and you are in my prayers! I know that you will excel in everything thing that you do for christ! I thank god for giving you the opportunity to make all these awesome songs because i don't know what I would be jammin to every morning and night! God bless!
Tiffany Beaumont
– Jan 4 2011
Aye Trip Lee,
Do ya thang man. Gods got somethin good for u bro so just follow in his footsteps and im sure during this time, u will definitly grow, as well as ur wife also. Godbless u bro
Xavier Scott
– Jan 4 2011
I look up to you sir much respect... I'll keep you in my prayers!!!
MIKE
– Jan 4 2011
May the Lord continue guidin you big brother!!!! Ill sure pray for u so u can continue to minister
In the perfectin of us "Saints"
musawashe
– Jan 4 2011
congrats, thank you for your work so far and i pray that u do much more in whatever it is god has called you to do
leonard
– Jan 4 2011
May open up your mind and heart to the newness of this season of learning for you soak it all in bretheren !!!!
Darius Cummings
– Jan 4 2011
That's awesome and have really bless me to hear this. A man that understand the spot light can sometimes cause bad vision. I believe in you and reach artists.I keep say that for all christian rappers. Blessing upon you bro.
Little sailor
– Jan 4 2011
I will miss you and all other folks that love you here in Malawi. I'll be praying for you.
Gilbert
– Jan 4 2011
"We gotta grow we can't stay in the same place we gotta grow we gotta stay seekin He's face"....We have your music for a life time, so weither you come back or not the words that you harmonize is the oracles of God....so contiue to seek the source of He's wiosdom.
Shidell Richardson
– Jan 4 2011
That is amazing....May God Bless u and your family in your journey..we will continue to keep u in our prayers.
Collin Weathington
– Jan 4 2011
i think this a wonderful thing you are doing and i wish you and your wife nothing but the best of blessing i pray that this internship helps you and leads you to the places you want and need to be supporting you all the way!!!!! God Bless
Mercedez
– Jan 4 2011
AMEN AND GOD BLESS!!!! THANKS FOR THE GREAT MUSIC, GOD BLESS YOU ON YOUR NEW JOURNEY!!!!
Brad
– Jan 4 2011
Love the humility. Keep drawing close to God & He'll draw close to you. God bless you fam!
Nki
– Jan 4 2011
After the music stops, amen. Trip, this is a good example for all these young dudes coming up who may not admit it but want more to be church rap stars than Godly Young Men. I have always appreciated your preaching ministry over the past 2 years when I heard you at Epiphany & PBU and believe God will use you in this capacity in the future, go with God's Grace in Christ, brotheren!
Pasquale
– Jan 4 2011
very dope man. Godspeed homaay.
James Sims IV
– Jan 4 2011
Dang Trip, you'll def be in my prayers. Really excited to see what God wants to do in your life. Miss ya though. Guess I'll have to hold onto Between Two Worlds for awhile. Haha love ya man
Link
– Jan 4 2011
Amen!! God bless you & your wife bro!
Kee
– Jan 4 2011
Wishin u all tha best, Trip! I pray that God wil continue 2 use u in every wae that He simply cn. I also nd wil also continue prayn dat He wil giv u a longing 2 get even deeper into Him nd 2 giv u an incredible thrist for His Word. Keep ur candle burnin. Prayn 4 u nd ur wife. All tha wae 4rm Malawi,ur sista in Christ,Zeë :).
Uchizeë
– Jan 4 2011