On Beat

This place blows me away. The Lord is amazing.

This is the best commencement speech I’ve ever heard. Eric Church absolutely crushed it with this one.

My dad moved our family from the gloomy state of Ohio to the warm and sunny state of North Carolina on July 4, 1988. At the time, I hated it—but today, I’m incredibly thankful he did.

It was here that I became a drummer. It was here that I found my life in Christ. It was here that I found my wife. It was here that my son was born. It was here that I built friendships that are still part of my life today. It was here that I attended Wingate University and Gardner-Webb University. It was here that a drum ministry was born. And it is here in North Carolina that the Lord has shaped me into the man I am today—not perfect, but still a work in progress.

Thank you, Dad, for moving us to North Carolina—the state I love in a country I am blessed to call home.

Most importantly, thank You, Jesus! My dad would be the first to admit that it was the Lord who called us here, and I know that is true because of who I am today. Glory to God!

And thank you, Eric Church, for strumming my heartstrings this morning and leading me to a place of gratitude—a place where we can truly see the work of the Lord’s hand.

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Some are calling it the best commencement speech ever Country star Eric Church is going viral after delivering a surprisingly powerful commencement speech centered on faith, family, marriage, ambition, community...

We are proud of these drummers for taking this step of faith. We had the privilege of baptizing four of our drummers today. Our On Beat drum ministry not only teaches youth drums, but also the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Glory to God!

I’m very proud of these drummers. Even though it rained on them, they were determined to perform at the Ham and Yam Festival yesterday. “Determination” is one of the key attributes we aim to develop through our On Beat Drum Ministry, and yesterday they proved they are wearing that trait well.

They also demonstrated the other two qualities we strive to instill: commitment—our greatest strength—and perseverance.

I wasn’t able to be there, so special thanks to Chris, Andrew, Walter, Jorgé, and Brian for making sure everything was loaded, set up, broken down, and returned to the studio. Y’all are tremendous!

Most of all, glory to God for giving us this incredible ministry. Thank You, Jesus!

We had a good time with our drummers seeing the Super Mario movie and having lunch afterwards. Good times!

I love it when we have a former student in our On Beat drum ministry back in the studio. If you look to the left of him you can see him as a twelve-year-old boy when he was beginning with us. I'm proud of Landyn. He's had much to overcome but he has a bright future ahead of him.