To The Land I Will Show You…
After much prayer, provision, and confirmation I am announcing that I am moving to North Hollywood to play in a christian hardcore band for the purpose of touring and preaching the gospel and sharing the light and love of Jesus with kids in the hardcore scene. I ask for your prayers that I will grow and go deeper in my relationship with Jesus during this next season of life. I know it seems random and very quick but those of you that know me know that it is actually the fruit of years of dreaming, growing, and being refined. God has finally opened the door He wants me to walk through and illuminated the next steps on the path for me to walk in. By stepping out and following this opportunity I am stepping into my identity as the son that God created me to be. He has called me by name, equipped, and surrounded me with a group of brothers, called to the same mission, and has commissioned us to further His kingdom by bringing hope to lost sons and daughters caught up in the anger and negativity of the hardcore music culture. My heart breaks for the kids who are just like I was. Kids who felt absolutely alone and desperately wanted to be loved. This is my chance to go back and be a godly influence in a godless subculture, leading people to Christ and His wonderful redemption through heavy and passionate music. God used guys in some of my favorite bands to lead me to him in high school and I want to be used in the same way.
Our EP is almost finished and will be released within the next couple months along with a Facebook page. We are getting everything set and ready to go before we launch anything. I will be creating a new blog and giving updates on the band; where we are, what we’re doing, and what God is doing in our lives through our music. Our goal is to be a full time touring band preaching the gospel and proclaiming Christ as King everywhere we go. I have no idea what is going to happen or where God is going to take us but, like Abram before he was Abraham, I am being obedient to follow His call so that He may be glorified and I may become the man that God created me to be.
To my friends and spiritual family at Reality and Isla Vista Church, I want you to know that I love you and that your love and support over these past couple years have been absolutely amazing and instrumental in my growth. It is however, time for me to make a move, a change, and set out on this adventure that God has set before me. God told me to look at this as my “YWAM”. That it will look different than a normal missionary being sent out but to be encouraged by the examples of our beloved Kelsie Herbison and Katie Alspaugh. I want you two, yes you, Kelsie and Katie, to know that I love, admire and honor you guys for being bold and following His leading to leave the life you knew to find the one He had planned. That is what is happening in mine and without you guys as my friends there is no way I would have the courage and faith to make this decision. I praise God for you two!
I also want to especially thank my brother Mac Montgomery at IVC for loving me and encouraging me when I was the most down on myself. I praise God for putting you in my life. I truly look up to you as an older brother and I want you to know that I am so thankful for you. Thank you for loving me and truly caring about me. Thank you that I can trust you and be transparent with you. The prophecy you spoke over me that day at Caje, that God was going to redeem music in my life, has come to pass and I thank God for His promise and that he remained faithful to see it to fruition despite my scoffing at it. Again, without you in my life I would not have the courage or the faith to step out and pursue touring with this band.
I want to thank Jason Lomelino of IVC as well. Thank you for your unending grace and patience with me! I never had that until I met you and it’s been hard to receive but I’m learning and being humbled by it! Thank you for your father’s heart and for taking the time out of your busy life to talk to me and check up on me through all my chaotic seasons this past year and a half. Though it wasn’t an official discipleship you really did help shape me and guide me in the right direction. I trust you, I love you and praise God for you!
I hate to leave anyone out so everyone else in my life… Thank you! I’m so stoked to embark on this journey and continue to be refined. I’m excited to be doing something that I not only love and am good at but that actively and explicitly brings forth the kingdom of God in a tangible way.
Lastly, all I really ask for are your prayers and your encouragement, but I do have a couple financial needs in order to adequately play in this band. I am in need of a new stage-worthy rig (amp head and cabinet) and a flight case for the head at least, I foolishly traded my last one for an acoustic guitar last year thinking I was never going to be playing shows again. Specifically I am looking for either a Peavy 5150 or 6505+ and an Orange cab. If you know what those are and happen to have one that you would be willing to sell and give me a deal on, please let me know. Otherwise if you feel called to help me out financially you can send a donation in the mail to 5252 Hermitage Ave. #6 Valley Village, CA 91607. I need about $1500 to fully update my gear. Anything helps! Thank you for taking the time to read all of this!
“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.’ ” Genesis 12:1-3
Thank you,
Joshua David Morton
(805) 232-6286
