i am chris brown…for now

This Is Why We Moved

Last May (2007), Beth and I were moving to Nashville. It had been in the works for months at that point…I had made a connection or two (…wow…), she’d transferred school credits, and we were ready to close on an apartment.

Then, on the Sunday we were heading out there to start tracking for the Starbore project and finalize some other moving details, “it” happened. I was leading worship at Elevation that morning and Pastor Steven challenged everyone to take their faith public, to be baptized if they’d never taken that step before. And that morning, I sat back stage and watched, literally, hundreds of people file in from the hall onto the stage to step and say in front of everyone, “God has ignited a passion in my heart, and I’m ready to live out his heart in the world.”

I cried. I moved to a dark shadowy place backstage and cried. I’d never seen such an act of God. Never been a part of something so God-honoring, or seen such a fire in teenagers and grandparents alike. And I needed it. I needed to witness it.

Apparently my wife needed to witness it as well. We got in the car to head for Nashville right after the services that morning and looked at each other in amazement of what God had done. We knew our move to Nashville had been redirected to Charlotte.

Today at Elevation, we had baptisms again. And today, we saw God move in such a huge, life-changing way…one that man could never possibly take credit for. I won’t give any details away, because I’m sure Pastor will be posting soon to let you know exactly what we saw happen today at Elevation. God is on the move here in Charlotte. I feel like I’m in the middle of watching his kingdom come to earth. This is why we moved. I’m glad we did.

August 3, 2008 - Posted by chris | Elevation | , , | 4 Comments

4 Comments »

  1. [...] Chris Brown has a similar post/experience on his site… but this is the second time I’ve been a part of in-service baptisms at Elevation. The first time was last Spring during the Deep series, and it was the first time that God quickened my heart to the realization that He wanted Meredith and I to be a part of this church. Before that, I had only been a contract player, coming in from Columbia every week, not really plugged in, not really involved. [...]

    Pingback by O’Snap! O’Jetfighter! » Blog Archive » Awakening | August 3, 2008 | Reply

  2. Chris, I was thinking the same thing. I just finished typing an email to someone saying the same thing about what I witnessed at Elevation this morning. I have never witnessed the move of God like I witnessed today. My life will never be the same and hasn’t been the same since the day I visited Elevation the first time. I walked through those doors and God reached out and grabbed me and hasn’t let go. Chris, you are a great blessing to Elevation.

    Comment by Chris Luke | August 3, 2008 | Reply

  3. This is good to hear Chris. Over at Butler – it was an amazing thing. My wife told me last night that this is the first time in 5 years of marriage that she has been absolutely 100% in love and behind our church. Thanks for your worship leadership.

    Comment by Chad Fair | August 4, 2008 | Reply

  4. The Ramseys are so glad you two decided to move to Charlotte! We have been so blessed by your ministry at Elevation! Thank you!
    And we agree, Sunday was indescribable! Wow!! It was our first baptism at Elevation, so we were amazed!

    Comment by Dana Ramsey | August 5, 2008 | Reply


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