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Jordan is a recording artist, worship leader, and serves the local church as Pastor of Worship at First Baptist Church Murray Kentucky. A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist - Jordan specializes in providing a fresh and current worship experience while not abandoning his traditional roots. Jordan is available for concerts, workshops, conferences, and worship events.
Jordan is a family man. He and his beautiful wife Heather have been married for 6 years. Heather plays a significant role in Jordan's ministry as a highly skilled vocalist and creative influence. They have two boys - Kal and Rees - and a third on the way.
Writing "about me" is difficult. God is so amazing, why waste time writing about myself? But since He prefers using ordinary, broken vessels like you and me, I will gladly "...boast about my weaknesses" (2 Cor 11:30).
God got a hold of my heart as a young man. I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home with loving parents. My dad was the music minister in our church (and still is) so I have been blessed to have been exposed to God's word all my life. But it was a personal encounter with Jesus Christ early on that changed my life forever. The Holy Spirit so convicted me of my sinfulness and need for a Savior - I couldn't resist. Since then, my life has been an unfolding story of God's faithfulness, goodness, and greatness.
The Lord gave me a desire to enter full time ministry early in high school. Looking back it is clear how He guided my steps. I applied to just one college - Moody Bible Institute - and pursued a music major in vocal performance. I am forever grateful for those formative years as professors poured into my life and I became friends with future church leaders, planters, and missionaries.
After Moody I began serving the local church in Florida eventually making my way to Sarasota Baptist Church. The blessings and opportunities I was given there have been the greatest in my life. On the personal side, it was there I met Heather - my wife of six years - had our two boys, Kal and Rees - and made some of our best life-long friends.
On the church side - my office was a recording studio and I began pouring myself into the technical side of music production. Additionally I was privileged to be appointed as worship leader at the Lakewood Ranch Campus by Pastor Mike Landry.
It was at Sarasota Baptist that I was introduced to Don Koch by Worship Pastor Michael Moore. Thus began a friendship eventually leading to my first recording project. Working with Don has been an incredible journey - and I look forward to future opportunities. And finally it was in Sarasota that I met Sam Rainer, my pastor and good friend. We now serve together at First Baptist Church in Murray Kentucky.
Directions for Singing in Corporate Worship
Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:27:26
Participating in a worship service can be confusing for the average attender. We’ve all asked some of these questions… How loud should I sing? I recently came across John Wesley’s directions for corporate worship written in 1761 – I’ve paraphrased them a bit. Regardless of style or upbringing these serve as an excellent guide for the congregation. Apply these to your own corporate worship experience next Sunday (or whenever you gather.) I would add just one thing to Wesley’s list. The congregation is a body. The hands need the eyes. We need each other. Your participation in corporate worship is a source of encouragement to those around you. Your worship tells others what you think about God. If you love Him, and believe that He has the power to redeem, let others know by the way you worship. Notes: The United Methodist Hymnal (The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), vii
What if I don’t know the song?
Should I lift my hands?
Will I look weird?
Will I draw attention to myself?
What if I’m uncomfortable?
The Secret to Great Congregational Worship
Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:08:50
This post is part information – part confession. What’s the secret? How do we as worship leaders make the experience “awesome?” There’s the obvious: cool lights, slick countdown clocks, built-in expectation via twitter, cool sermon graphics (bumpers makes great impressions), excellent music (with broad appeal as to not offend anyone), and a studio-like house mix. Then there are the intangibles: sharp wardrobe, progressive haircut, and we cannot underestimate the importance of modeling worship. By modeling we usually mean careful body language and facial contortions that clearly communicate… “I’m really into this!” By now you’re pounding your fist and screaming “That’s not right! That’s so immature and shallow. I’m not like that. I know my Bible. Worship is a lifestyle!” Right on worship leader! But let me ask – what occupies most of your time during the week? What occupies most of your thoughts? What do you practice? What upsets you most when it goes wrong on Sunday? Why do I sound so condemning? Because I’m the culprit! I’m guilty! If you think I’m writing this because I’ve mastered true worship and risen above the fray – nothing could be further from the truth. I have a BA in Music and Bible and a Masters in Worship. I’ve been exposed to the best teaching on the subject. So what does that make me? A more educated hypocrite! There’s One essential component to great worship – and you’ve guessed it – God Himself! There’s only one way to be changed into a legit worshipper – obedience. He reveals Himself – we obey. We’re exposed to His word – we obey. We’re moved by the Spirit – we obey! There are no shortcuts here – no fad-diets – and no faking it. This comes as a result of intentional time with God and surrender. Daily Scripture intake is non-negotiable (see my previous post). Practically I would recommend great podcasts (check out Mars Hill) and audiobooks. Redeem your time. Read great books on the subject like “How to Worship Jesus Christ” by Joseph S. Carrol and “The Knowledge of the Holy” by A.W. Tozer. Also, get some exercise – and get outside – Jesus did. These are just recommendations. The point is to get time with God! Now regarding the list I started with, you may say, “Somebody has to do it.” Agreed. In fact I often think my title ought to be Pastor of Production rather than Pastor of Worship. So I simply say this – do it! Do it well and with all your heart. Enjoy it! But as you’re doing it recognize that all the stuff is only a shadow – a mimic of the real thing – not the real thing itself. Focus the majority of your energy and time on your own walk with God – it’s the most important thing you’ll ever have. Share it with others. Inspire those around you with the reality of God’s holiness as you’re exposed to it. This will inspire greater worship than a thousand moving lights.
Struggling to Get your Daily Dose of Scripture?
Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:26:39
I do. In fact I’m an utter failure at maintaining the Super-Christian status I try to portray to others. Paul told us to “…think on these things…” (Phil 4:8) – but how can we if we’re not regularly exposed to God’s word? Exercise is beneficial with daily use, and so is exposure to scripture. At this point we could launch into a guilt-trip and with new resolve rededicate ourselves to a daily “quiet time” (which may work for while). But I want to offer a solution – something that has worked for me consistently. Listening to scripture. That’s right. It’s easy – and it’s free. I listen to it every morning during a time we all share – getting ready for the day. I use YouVersion (the Bible app) on my iPhone. I created an account, chose a reading plan (Robert Roberts), chose a version (ESV), and YouVersion does the rest. The first thing I do in the morning is open the app, and hit plans. Since I’m only on the Robert Roberts plan, it’s the only one I see – and it shows my progress (I like this plan because it takes me through the entire Bible in a year, and because it essentially divides the Bible into thirds giving me both the Old and New Testaments each day.) From there it pulls up my reading/listening for the day (usually 3-5 chapters). I hit the first chapter. At the bottom you see the speaker. Pull it up, press play, and the narrator begins speaking – plus it automatically advances to the next chapter once it’s done. Note: not all translations have a listening option – but several do. That’s it! There’s another practical element to listening to Scripture. Most of it was written to be read aloud. It was written before mass printing. Many of its stories were passed on verbally. So it shouldn’t be surprising that neglected books like Leviticus seem to take on new life when listened to. Faith comes by hearing after all. Give it a try – I hope it helps.
