Testimony: I have been in church ever since I can remember. From the time I was a baby until now. I was about eight years old when I first remember the Lord start to deal with my heart about being saved. I don't remember a lot about the earlier years as a boy, but I remember the Lord started showing me through His word that I was a sinner that needed Him. I was really shy growing up, and I would put off going down to the alter because of my pride even at a young age. That went on about four years or so. The Lord would deal with me from time to time but for one reason or another I wouldn’t move. Finally I got tired of fighting it. The Lord dealt with me on Sunday morning November 7, 1993. The strong hand of the Lord was moving on my heart that morning. Preacher Shook was preaching a message entitled, "What do You Have to do to Go to Hell." I remember thinking at the beginning of the message, "Well you don't have to do anything to go to Hell." Boy was I wrong! One of the main points of the message was that I would have to reject the precious blood that our Savior so graciously poured out for us. By the time the invitation came, I was under old time Holy Ghost conviction. The Lord showed me my helpless state that morning, and that he was the only answer to my need. I took off to the alter during prayer that morning, and that heavy burden of sin was lifted. As soon as I left my seat headed for the alter the burden of sin was suddenly gone. I believe the Lord saved me the very instant that I gave in to His will. That has been 15 years now, and sure I have failed him many times but he has never failed me. There is no other way than to walk with Jesus. He has been better to me than I could ever have imagined.
I had no idea all that the Lord had in store for me at such a young age. Not long after I was saved, the Lord really began to interest me in music. Not just any music, His music. I began teaching myself how to play the guitar when I was 13. I would watch others as they would play, and then go home and work on a song until I got it just right. I would also play with recordings, and with the help of books, chord sheets, etc. my playing technique began to develop. Not long after that I started playing the Banjo also. After I had been playing a while I began to study music more in depth, and my love for it began to grow stronger. When I was about 15 years old the Lord began to deal with my heart about doing something more for Him. Just a little time went by, and Preacher Shook came to me and asked me if I would pray about leading the youth choir at our church. Immediately the Lord said there it is. The Lord taught me a lot during the time I led the youth choir, and how important it is to pray & seek His will about the ministry of music. I lead the youth choir for about 10 years. We had a whole lot of really special times in the Lord. It amazed me that the Lord would save a shy little boy, and work in my life in such a fashion as he did preparing me for such a huge ministry.
While I was working with the youth choir, the Lord oped up the door for another ministry. We took some friends out of the choir, practiced a little, and went to sing at a benefit for Bargain Food Stores in Pelzer, SC the fall of 2003. From that time the Lord started opening up many more doors for us to carry His ministry, and thus Mountain Harmony was formed. I have always tried my best to pray, and seek the Lords will for ever time we sing. His will is what keeps me driving on, even when the going gets though. I want to make sure that He can have His will, and make sure that I stay out of the way. John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." Sure, I make mistakes everyday, but He is faithful to forgive. 1 John 1:9 My hearts desire is to continue to serve Him in whatever avenue he has for my life for the present, and the future.