Today I had lunch with Alan and Dennis Jernigan. I’ve hung out with Dennis before but in 1992 I went to see him in concert. The notable part of that, for me, is that I was *highly* skeptical of his testimony of having left a homosexual background. It was the first “Christian” concert I had ever been too and I don’t believe I was even a Christian at that point. If I was, it was in that period of a couple of months (right after embracing Christ) where I was convinced I would only be happy as and die a “gay” man.
I remember my friend, let’s call her “Bright Eyes”, convincing me to go even just for the spectacle of it all. We did that kind of thing from time to time. I went expecting him to be a fire breathing weirdo that just ranted on and on about the evils of sodomy.
He didn’t … thank God (literally.)
He was sane, very talented musician, and a wonderful lyricist and when he sang Amazing Grace … I openly wept. I don’t even remember him talking about homosexuality which I thought was odd until I found out that he considers homosexuality as just one of many different issues he has had to face in life.
I like that perspective … in those days, it helped to change mine and I have found it to be true.
Then as I began to question homosexuality and finding freedom from the tyranny of my previous worldview, I went to every worship concert I possibly could just to hear Dennis and worship the Lord. I was young(er) (24) when that all started and my friends and I would jump around and sing till our voices gave out. It was a whole lot of fun and the Lord really ministered to me during those times. I liked knowing that the worship leader wasn’t afraid of and even had empathy for the issues I was wrestling through at that time in my life. His songs mirrored a lot of my prayers so that made those worship times even more meaningful.
The first time I hung out with Dennis was at IHOP (the all night pancake place … not the all night prayer place) after we had both appeared on James Robison’s Life Today program in 1995. It was that conversation that turned my heart toward the arts and praying for the “modern day Levites” (artisans, worship leaders etc.) to return to prominence in the Body of Christ. Dennis is the one that coined that designation. I started praying that they would not continue to be shunned as “extra,” … or weird … but embraced as a necessary manifestation of worship, communication and communion. And, I think the Lord is answering those and millions of other prayers along the same lines.
I love Dennis’ amazing talent, his passion for Christ and the fact that you know he is honest … oh and he loves to laugh.
Go check out his website.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool, Dennis Jernigan was my first exposure to worship music. He's awesome.
Randy,I enjoyed our fellowship today! Your blog is a great encouragement to me to keep on keeping on. Knowing Jesus intimately is worth every battle and every struggle I have had to face. It feels good to no longer be a victim but to be the victor through Jesus. You are awesome, too, brother!Blessings,DJ
Thanks Dennis! See you at church tomorrow.
That's great Julie.
They’ve got Ex-Homosexual,but I didn’t see Ex-Gay. It’s an awesome idea, it’s definitely the kind of thing I’ve thought about wearing if i ever gave my testimony in a group setting, not sure how I’d feel about wearing it everywhere, because we aren’t supposed to be identified by what we were, where we came from, but who we are in Christ! Perhaps "Because of Christ I am Free from ….."
Blessings P4CM!
This comment was originally posted on ETC: Everyday Thoughts Collected
I don’t see much of a difference in *my* reasoning for not wearing ex-gay and ex-homosexual. Yes, many blessings for P4CM
This comment was originally posted on ETC: Everyday Thoughts Collected
“It was that conversation that turned my heart toward the arts and praying for the “modern day Levites” (artisans, worship leaders etc.) to return to prominence in the Body of Christ. Dennis is the one that coined that designation. I started praying that they would not continue to be shunned as “extra,” … or weird … but embraced as a necessary manifestation of worship, communication and communion.”Thank you Dennis and Randy!!! Yeah Levites. That designate has been a source of healing for me over the last couple years. Arts and church is such a ….difficult subject. I think it's one of the most battle wrought areas within the Body of Christ. I could rattle on for a *very* long time on this subject just with my own experiences. Some mind blowing things have been happening with me in the last year alone. I, too, believe the Lord is answering your prayer, Randy. Thanks for praying it:)
cool. Thanks for operating your gifts and for joining us in prayer.
Hi Dennis. I was just curious if you have written about how the Lord brought to your mind the idea of artisans as Levites. I would sure love to read it if you have.