Disclaimer: This story is a genuine appraisal of my life. It is being told to bring Glory unto God for what he has done and is doing in my life. It is not to slam down anybody that is not my will, aim, or my desire.

 Wow, I moved to the Northern Neck of Virginia. I never discussed my transition, the move, or the reason for the move. People often hear me talk about 2008 because it was a pivotal moment in my life. Let me go back. I grew up in the church. I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior fourteen days before my seventeenth birthday in 1998. Besides, like many other youngsters, I had my share of ups and downs over those 10 years. I served in/on Choirs, youth ushers, youth ministry, church musicians, brotherhood, fellowship, and numerous ministries. I was a balanced person.  The first time God revealed his plan was in February of 2008. My apostle spoke during the annual revival at my church in Norfolk, VA. He prayed for me and said, “God was calling me, and it was not what I was thinking, but it was something else. But I had to do it God’s Way. “Me being confused, I said All right. So when I returned home that evening, I began to pray, fast, and seek God for the entire month of February. God began to address me. I never had that experience. This was new for me, and I was excited. He released all of my spiritual gifts and let me walk in them for a brief period, then he shut them back down. Then advised me to seek him, and, gradually, he will return them to me when the time is right. He also enlightened me about my life and my ministry, and that I would not be able to do it at the place where I was worshiping. And he was going to prepare a place for me where I was able to do my ministry there.  After God shut down my gifts and told me to seek him. After a while, I grew upset with God; I felt I was doing all I could to seek him. However, it seemed nothing was working. As soon as I was getting into his presence and worshiping Him, all he would say was just seeking me more! And after a while, I was furious with God: all I do is worship, and all you tell me is to go deeper and seek you more! (presently, I have a comprehension of it) Yet in those days, I felt like you were leaving me hanging.

 The BIG MOVE

I was getting by in Norfolk. I just received a promotion to a leadership position. Also, in addition to my regular pay, I now receive an extra stipend for the work I was doing. Also doing that time I was starting to have a fallout with the church. I was clashing with the leadership; it was not intentional, it was just happening. I was seeing things that I did not like and seeing people being hurt. And I did speak up on their behalf, and I had to pay the consequences for that; it is what it is, and I find no fault in them for that. The nest began to stir at my former church. I have always been someone you can talk to all day long; it didn’t bother me per se, but when it was someone else, I always had to speak up or step in to protect them, to ease the burden. I got into a lot of trouble, and I sat down multiple times, but I felt like “The STAND” was worth it at the time. I could be very soft-spoken, but meant what I said. I had no idea what was happening at that point, yet I can see it now. It seemed no matter what, it was under constant assault. If I prayed, I was told I did not pray enough; if I fasted, I did not fast enough. Seems like no matter what I did, I got no acceptance. Notwithstanding, I remain dedicated there. Over the years, the nest was still stirred, and feathers were still ruffled. But I never lost love for the church or its people or leadership. What’s more, it cemented my trust in God even more. I know now that God had to stir the nest, or I could not ever have left. With everything that was going on, many people were attending their New Year’s Eve service, praying to God, or making New Year’s resolutions about what they planned to do. I was on my knees, dependably appealing to God, inquiring, “Is it time for me to leave?” I prayed this for years, and he always said no! Not yet, and I would say, God, I cannot take it anymore, if I stay here, I am going to lose you, I am going to hell! This continued from 2008 until 2013, when I prayed that every New Year’s Eve service.  In 2013, I wrote an email to my Apostle explaining my frustration and seeking counsel. He then told me, “I do know you have outgrown that church spiritually and you must seek God’s face for direction for your next step. (This is not a knock against the church; it’s just where you are)”. I stayed before God in supplication for the rest of that year. In early December of 2013, I remember it was a Wednesday night. I got to church for Bible study. The doors were locked; they had canceled Bible study, and no one had contacted me to let me know. I was standing at the top of the steps by the glass doors, and God said, “Now you can go!”

I was not vexed the entire time I was riding back home. I was not mad or upset. I typed up my resignation letter, ( Well it wasn’t in a sense of a resignation letter, it was I not going to renew my membership starting January 1st), and on that New Year’s Eve night of 2013 going into 2014 after the service. I put the copies in the church office and one under the pastor’s study door, said goodbye to everyone as usual, and went home. Now I did that because if I had handed it to them, it would have been a big mess.  In any case, here’s the kicker: God releases me, but I had no clue where I was going. I didn’t know what to do; I didn’t know where to go. Thus, in my letter, I tell them I will go under watchful care until God shows me what I should do. So my 2014 started a little rough because I was accustomed to going to church every Sunday. After all, that is what you are supposed to do; well, in my mind, that is how I felt. Nonetheless, on certain Sundays, God put in my spirit and told me not to go. But I did anyway. And every time I walked in there, I felt this heaviness, as if I was not supposed to be here! What are you doing here! The service would go on. While playing the organ in the middle of the service. God would be speaking to me. What are you doing here? Why are you here? I have released you.  I remember one Sunday getting off the organ, going into the bathroom, and crying for the rest of the service. One Sunday, while I was there, God used one of the sisters in ministry. She began to speak a word of knowledge to the congregation. She was saying What are you doing here? For what reason would you say you are staying here? I told you, you can go/ YOU’RE FREE TO GO! And this happened two Sundays in a row. I was perched on the organ, simply crying. Until at long last, I got up and walked out the door, and went home during the middle service.

In October 2014, my Vice Bishop asked whether I could come up to play for a Revival the entire month. Playing each Sunday in Warsaw. Even though I was no longer an official member there, he obtained permission from my former Pastor in Norfolk.  In 2015, God had a great plan for me, though I did not yet know it. While in Payer, in a hotel room, the Holy Spirit spoke and said, “What I have for you is in Warsaw”.   Responding to God’s plan, I started to travel every weekend to Warsaw, VA a two (2) hour drive there and Two (2) hours back while still living and working in Norfolk under the guidance of my Apostle and my Bishop.  On top of that, my car wasn’t running anymore, so I had to rent a car every weekend. The first time I tried to rent a car, I was rejected by several places. I told God, if you want me to do this when I walk to this next rental car place, you have to give me a car. I walked into an Enterprise. I was in a car within 10 minutes. I rented a car for two years to travel to Warsaw just for the ministry. Even with Enterprise, God gave me favor with them for all types of vehicles. I was given even free weekends. 

While still traveling and not yet moved to Warsaw, God confirmed this by calling me into ministry in 2015. While I was in between, churches and traveling, just to verify the promise that he spoke unto me.  In 2016, I had to let go of my apartment. Put all my belongings and storage. I moved in with my sister and then my brother, and slept on the couch. Even the enemy spoke to my mind, “Is this surely what God wanted for me?” I felt like I was homeless even though I had a couch. I made plans to resign from my job. I was leaving after 12 years of work, just after being promoted.  In June 2016, after a two-year journey, God allowed me to move to Warsaw, not even knowing where I would live. He gave me a house two days before I moved. Now I’m living in another home, bigger than the first one I had. I’m in the 3rd car God has blessed me with.

So, in 2025, I realized many people are feeling the strain and tension. Or the call that God is telling them it’s time to move on or go into ministry. I was 32 when God released me in 2013. I realize some individuals say. You must be crazy. I would have left a long time ago, but I stayed where I was planted until God uprooted me and put me into a bigger planter. Sometimes God ruffles the nest and feathers to get you prepared to fly. And you should never do anything in anger; always rely on and trust God. There were years when all I had was what God promised me in my dreams and nothing else. I had to endure, or I’d leave before the time. I wouldn’t be where I’m at now. I end this with Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.