What Two Years Can Bring

It’s been a full and really encouraging season around here, with lots happening behind the scenes and plenty of things beginning to take shape.

First: the Detroit VBS songs are coming in! And they are so cute. They’re genuinely accessible for kids and somehow manage not to be completely mind-numbing for the adults who will inevitably hear them 47 times this summer. (You know what I'm talking about haha)

I’ve also had the joy of restarting a teen songwriting cohort. They’re writing their own songs, bringing them to the group, and learning how to make those songs stronger. This time I brought the song "Just to Know You" as an example of a heart's cry song—a song that encapsulates their own personal life purpose or mission. This is the chorus from mine:

Just to know you Lord

Just to love you more

And to grow to be more like you

I surrender all

So they each took time to begin working on a heart's cry song for themselves, and I expect when we gather together again next month, there will be great new songs to work through together!

A couple of new retreats are now officially on the books, too: a November Multi-Arts Retreat and a songwriting retreat in January. I love watching conversations and ideas become actual dates on a calendar, knowing artists will soon be gathering in rooms together—creating, collaborating, and encouraging each other.

Since starting this role a few months ago with United Adoration, I've spent much more time simply connecting with local artists. After one visit, an artist told me something heart-breaking: "Peter, I've never had any ministry leader ask to spend time with me and just do exactly that. There's always a catch. Always some ask. But you genuinely seem to want to see how I'm doing."

This is the gap we're working to bridge.

And then there’s the less glamorous but incredibly vital work: big strategic questions at the executive-team level. There are many conversations happening about where UA is headed, how we can steward what God has already entrusted to us and continue building something that serves artists and the Church well. I’m grateful to have a seat at that table, getting to wrestle through some of those questions and provide fresh eyes along the way.

And now… the Smokies.

I’m gearing up for a songwriting retreat in the Smoky Mountains with more than 30 other songwriters from around the country. We’ll spend several days inspiring, equipping, and collaborating with one another, and I’m really looking forward to it.

But this particular retreat carries some history for me.

Two years ago, I had a profound experience with the Lord at this very retreat. I remember turning to one of my friends there, saying: “I feel so alive… I could do this every day.”

And he replied, “Maybe one day you will.”

I don’t think either of us knew what the next two years would bring, because now… I get to.

And in a huge part, I get to do this because of you.

Your prayers carry me. Your financial support (through monthly giving, commissioned paintings, and ordering items from our shop) makes it possible for me to say yes. Your encouragement reminds me I’m not doing this alone.

So as I prepare to head back to the Smokies next month, I’m carrying a lot of gratitude with me.

Thank you for helping make this life possible. Let's see all God does next!