My wife and I finally got home for Thanksgiving today… Thanksgiving day that is, around 2pm in the afternoon. Life has been crazy for sure. We came off the road just in time to hop back on a plane and fly to North Carolina for a memorial service in honor of our dear friend Ronnie Coleman. The last time we saw him before he passed he reminded me that I was to play “You Carried Me” at his funeral, and there was never a question that I would be there with my beautiful wife to honor one of the most amazing men we had ever known. I’ve got to say that after watching a family that I’ve known and loved for the last 8 years walk through the mourning of their loss and then turn it into, not only worship and celebration, but a challenge… I am a different guy. I left his funeral thinking, Lord I’ve got some work to do. I think that was the message of his life: We’ve got work to do… we’ve got love to give, and we have hope to share… that was Ronnie, and I see it echoed in his family that he leaves behind. Which brings me to the other amazing thing that happened to me on the last night of our tour… well, last Sunday.
Anyone who’s been to our shows or read my blog knows that my wife and I have wholeheartedly embraced World Vision and their mission. You may have heard me speak at length about what it’s like for my wife and I to sponsor 3 children and how we challenge people to listen to their hearts and take a leap of faith to find that when God uses us… a lot of times he uses us in spite of ourselves and our weaknesses, (i.e. Moses and his speech… Paul and his past). You wouldn’t believe who the last three people to sponsor children on our tour were.
1) One of my crew
Honestly these guys hear about child sponsorship all the time and I worry that they get immune to it.. but the last child out of my hand in the building that night went to my good friend Johnny who had served without failing the entire tour. He didn’t miss a night of my speaking about WV.. mostly cause he had to run the sound board while everyone else stepped out to get a break… but when I counted down my last 10 children… I never thought that I would say zero after giving the last packet to him. It was truly an amazing moment.
2) My 6 year old son Avery
Ok I know what you’re thinking… “Yeah right, where’s the money gonna come from?” Which is exactly what I was thinking when I met him at the table. He said, “Daddy I want to sponsor a child that’s my age.” Ok son, but don’t you understand that we already sponsor 3 kids? “Yeah daddy but I really think I need to do it, those kids need some help and I’ve got lots of money at home in my room” BTW he has a jar full of quarters that he was talking about…. And I almost started arguing with him until I preemptively heard what he would probably say next: “But daddy, you said it doesn’t matter where the money comes from… cause if God calls you to do it then you have do it, RIGHT?” In that moment I realized that God was telling me that I had a blessing and a chance to teach my son and allow him to know that it’s alright to lead with his heart. And so after about 10 minutes and 40 child packets my son picked out a boy named Enerst from Zambia. He filled out all the paper work himself and today my family sponsors 4 children. My son will get his first allowance this month and he will begin a relationship with this young boy that could last the next 14 years!!!
3) Our nanny… and her quote said it all. “Well my gosh, if a 6 year old can do it then I know I can.”
Wow what a night… it was truly amazing… and it made me proud to say that our son showed me something first hand that I would be reminded of a few nights later at a funeral service for an amazing man. Ronnie Coleman’s life was about love. I left his funeral thinking, Lord I’ve got some work to do. I think that was the message of his life: We’ve got work to do… we’ve got love to give, and we have hope to share… that was Ronnie, and I see it echoed in his family that he leaves behind. I see it in a 6 year old boy who doesn’t know how, he just knows that he must. My son is the man… and he’s inspired me. How about you and your children/ family… what have they done that inspires you?
Happy Thanksgiving,
Jason
Jason,
I know it meant a lot to the Coleman’s to have you there. You did a beautiful job. I’ve never been to a memorial service like that one before. You are right. After the service, I realized I’ve got work to do… I’ve got to get out of my comfort zone and just love on people like Ronnie did, like Jesus did. I am passionate about helping my 5 year old love Jesus, be “In love” with Jesus… just like all of Ronnie’s kids. WHat a testimony to Ronnie. One of the things that got me hooked on to Snyder Memorial, was meeting Ben at a New Way rehearsal. My first rehearsal. I loved how in Love with Jesus he was/ is! I hadn’t been around “On fire” folks in a long time. There are so many that truly love the Lord at this church. I am so blessed as I just started there last Feb. Being around Ben and his family inspired me, inspires me. Ronnie’s Sunday School class was the first and only class I tried. I was at home instantly. Anyway, I didn’t get a chance to talk to you, but wanted to share. I was the one videotaping memories, and trying to play the sax. =)
Love to you and your family,
Marla Finn
Jason,
Thanks for your love, words and wisdom. It was good seeing you at the service and I miss you greatly. After hearing your story and Avery’s story I was reminded of this event that happened at the Catalyst Conference back in October. Jimmy grew up being sponsored and is now in seminary, but at this event Jimmy got to meet Mark, his sponsor. It’s totally awesome to see the love!
http://www.vimeo.com/7072300
BTW- I put your name in as a suggestion for next year’s conference. I hope you get a call.
Blessings,
Craig
Mr.Roy,
I read this story and it touched me. I would never think that a 6 year old boy would even think about giving his own hard earned money to sponser a child his age. I sawl you here in Springfield MO. and the story that you told was amazing I wanted to sponser a child but I dont have very much money, I have only 5 or 6 dollors.
I love your music and your song Allways really touched me because my Mom had cancer and she died from it and when I hered that song at your concert I couldent help from crying.
Can you come back to Springfield MO. I want to meet you.
Your Biggest Fan,
Alyssa Barfield
Hi yall! I still can’t get over the concert that yall performed at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas! YEAH! thats been a while now and I don’t even live there any more but It was such an amazing night, I love yall! and I want to thank you for putting out the song “Always” because it is so inspirational and it definitly has helped to keep me going in life. God has been working wonders in my life and your music has given me more the one way to worship our great lord. I pray that yall have safe travels and hope that God continues to bless yall and your ministry. again yall are awesome! ^_^
~Anna Yandell~
Jason, this testimonial of your little son is amazing.It’s a prove that you’re really teaching him and this generation to make it different. We must wake up for the reallity, that there’s too many people suffering in this world, and it’s our challenge give them love and support.
I and Brazil bless you and your little son (but a big man!)