A Seed Planted in Faith: How God Reconnected Me with a Young Artist for His Glory

Years ago, from 2010 to 2013, I was busy performing at churches across Texas, including Hill Country Bible Church in Leander (now Northway Bible Church). Many of these shows were for kids and youth ministries, where I hoped to inspire young hearts to pursue their faith boldly. Little did I know that one of those seeds would take root and grow into something beautiful over a decade later.

Fast forward to August 2023. Out of the blue, I received a message from a young man named Matthew Stone. He introduced himself as a 15-year-old who loves Jesus, produces beats, and records Christian music with his friends. Matthew shared that he’d been at one of my shows when he was just a kid and wanted to connect. He explained how he was passionate about creating music to glorify God and was looking for ways to collaborate.

Matthew’s timing couldn’t have been better. Only a short while before, we had launched CHH Austin, a Christian hip-hop and creative arts ministry focused on connecting artists, encouraging collaboration, and helping creatives grow in their talents and their walk with Christ. I felt that CHH Austin would be the perfect community for him, so I invited him to be part of it.

As we continued to talk, I was struck by how Matthew reminded me of myself as a teenager, except he was already passionately following Jesus and using his gifts to make a difference for the Kingdom. Here he was—a talented 15-year-old who loved God, who had a heart for creative arts, and who wanted to serve others through his music.

During one of our conversations, he mentioned that he was using trial versions of recording software, including FL Studio, to make his beats. This meant he couldn’t save his projects to reopen them later unless he paid for the full software—a huge limitation for anyone trying to create high-quality music. Immediately, I felt a nudge to help him. I reached out to my team, and together, we managed to get him a licensed version of FL Studio so he could create freely without those restrictions.

Matthew has continued to flourish. Today, he and his friends make music for God and perform at youth groups around the Leander and Cedar Park areas. Through CHH Austin, he’s been connecting with older, more experienced artists who are pouring into his life, helping him grow in both his faith and his creative skills. Watching him develop his gifts and pursue his purpose with such dedication has been a joy and a privilege.

Looking back, I’m in awe of how God can use our small acts of faithfulness over time. Because I stayed obedient to God’s calling all those years ago, and because I followed the Holy Spirit’s leading to start this ministry, Matthew now has a place where he can grow and connect with others who share his vision. I thank God for allowing me to invest in this young man’s life and for showing me how seeds planted in faith can bear fruit in ways we never expect.