11/03/2021
Today I’m Grateful. This past Saturday was the first ever (with more to come HOPEFULLY) Reformation Fest. I work for a very traditional Presbyterian Church with an aging congregation. Saturday, none of that mattered. 11 bands and artists came together, along with an amazing speaker to share the love of Jesus with Bartlesville and the surrounding areas. Bands from all over the US came to our small city to welcome the unwelcome, and show hope to the hopeless.
Our speaker was Brian “Head” Welch of the band, KoRn. I grew up listening to KoRn. I remember when Brian left the band and pursued Christ. I was in high school when it happened. I don’t really remember thinking much of it at that time. Fast forward 14 years later, my mom sends me a copy of his book to me when I’m at my lowest point in my life. I was sitting in a jail cell. I read that book, and for the first time, my life was changed. I finally understood things that I had always heard about and never felt. I felt HOPE. I would go through many more struggles, but in September of 2020, a church in Bartlesville took a chance on me and hired me. It has been a rocky experience to say the least, but a growing one. Our former head of staff believed in me and encouraged me to be creative and think outside the box. As I was praying for God to show me a way for our church to impact Bartlesville, I remember the impact Brian’s book had on my life and so many others. It came to me. I needed about 3 months to book and produce an event, which at that time would make it Halloween weekend, or in Presbyterian terms, Reformation Day. One of our big quotes is “reformed and always reforming.” What if there was a way I could bring bands and people together to start reforming lives in Bartlesville? I researched and found contact for bands and Head. I prayed, “God, if this is from you, make this possible.” Within two days, I was getting in for back and bands wanting to play. I got a response from Head’s management team saying this could be a possibility for us. I reached out to my boss and to our Session Board and presented it to them. They unanimously said yes! Now the real work began. Over the next few months, obstacles hit me left and right. Doubts and questions of what we were doing were coming from everywhere. But my friends Tim, Jason, and Pasquale kept encouraging me. My fiancé, Courtney, was with me every step of the way. As the date drew closer, even more doubt, discouragement, and disapproval grew, but I still pushed forward. I remember Sylvia and Ron from our Session board being there for me at that time. Finally, this past Saturday came and we got to witness what God had for this city. I want to thank Brian Head Welch for believing in Reformation Fest to come and speak and tell his story. I want to thank Relent, Spoken, Zahna, Chaotic Resemblance, We Are Victory, Gadgets Sons, Drive Thru Society, DeadSin, Azariah, B-Wade, and Alyssa O’Connor for sharing with Bartlesville your amazing talent and love for people. Thank you to Humble Road Church and Hope Dealerz for helping where we needed people. Finally, thank you for coming! Thank you for supporting the efforts of Reformation Fest. Without you guys coming, there would’ve been no Reformation Fest, and for that I’m truly thankful.
Born Thru Death
Chase
