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