Monday, July 4, 2016
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
As A Singer, Are You Prepared to Minister? - Nate Fortner - Christian Country Music - Boaz Alabama
As I travel across the country singing, I’ve learned that
most churches aren’t interested in being ministered to anymore. They would
rather be entertained, and I can usually
tell within the first 10 minutes what condition the church is in spiritually.
It’s different in every church, and isn’t necessarily based on the size of the
church.
While it’s true that you’ll normally receive a higher
offering in a larger church, I’m not concerned with the amount of money I
receive. I’ve sang in some churches and was given no offering at all. Most of
the small churches can’t afford to pay you because they’re suffering
financially, and often times spiritually. These are the churches that I love to
go in and minister.
I recently went to sing at a small church in Arab, AL., and
when the service started, there were only 10 people in the crowd plus me.
Eleven people total. About ¾ of the way through the service, I could feel a
strong presence of the Holy Spirit, and the atmosphere in the sanctuary began
to change. I knew then, that I was going to be able to minister to this church.
I felt a shift in the tone and mood of the congregation, and I was led to pray for
the Pastor and his wife. As I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to do so, I
paused the music between the songs and called the Pastor and his wife to the
front of the church. I said “I have to pray for you and your wife.” I then
called the other eight people in the church to make their way to the altar, and
we laid hands on the Pastor and his wife. We prayed and the Holy Spirit moved
on them. As I began to sing again, I felt the need to preach, and I was definitely not used to preaching in the middle of my singing. I knew God had something to say to this small group of believers. I began to preach, exhort and encourage the church to continue pushing forward. I began to prophesy according to my faith, and proclaimed that “God will be sending the harvest. This church will see growth again!” I again felt the leading to pray for the people, and so I asked them to all join me in the altar. As they came forward, it was revealed who was in need of prayer. As we laid hands on them, they began to cry out to God for healing. As we finished praying, I was completely drained of my energy and tired. Then, the Pastor began to speak to the small crowd of believers saying how he enjoyed having me to their church. He then said, “I know God came by here tonight. We’re Baptist, and we don’t lay hands on each other.” A prayer was said and the congregation was dismissed.
As I began to start tearing down my equipment, I noticed the members were gathering around the Pastor at the back door talking. I saw one older gentleman with tears rolling down his cheeks ask the Pastor, “Is that confirmation enough for you?” I knew that God had used me to minister to a group of His hurting children. That is the most awesome feeling in the world, when you know that you allowed God to use you.
It reminded me of the days when I would preaching at 1:30 in the morning each week. For a period of 2-3 years, I preached at 1:30 am for night shift workers. Sometimes I would preach to three, and at other times, I preached to over 30 people at 1:30 in the morning. Jesus said where two or more would gather together, He would be in the midst of them. I’d rather be ministering in a small church every Sunday, than to be entertaining in a large church even once. I travel from church to church off of the kindness of the people in the churches where I minister, but I never demand a certain amount of money. I’ve never had to, because God has provided for my every need. I’m not about putting on a show to make you feel better about your sin. I’m ready to minister to you, so you can be forgiven of you sin.
I truly believe we are living in the last days, and we do
live in a negative world. Just to clarify, I’m not against large churches or
even having fun in church. Yes, it’s perfectly okay to entertain people when
you sing, but you must learn to recognize when the Holy Spirit speaks to you to
minister. I speak with Pastors each week, who simply can’t afford to bring
singers to their churches, even on a love offering. The fact of the matter is,
if God has a place for me to minister, He will make a way for me to get there
and back home, even if there is no promise of an offering. Ministering at 1:30 in the morning, I've seen my fair share on multiple occasions of God being at work. God walks with me, and I walk close to Him. I can do nothing without Him.
I personally believe that my talent is a gift to be used as a
blessing to the church. So, if you’re a Pastor who would love to have a singer
to come and be a blessing to your church, call my office. Don’t deny me the
opportunity to walk in the call of God upon my life. We must encourage and lift
one another up. I look forward to being in service with you soon!
Nate Fortner - Christian Country Music
256-706-3315
Visit me online at: www.NateFortner.com
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Country Music Has Always Been My First Love - Christian Country Music
Country Music Has Always Been My First Love
Nate Fortner
Growing
up in the mountains of West Virginia, music has always been a part of my life.
From singing in church to family Karaoke parties at Uncle Sam's House on the weekends, music has been
running through these veins since my birth. I've always known that my life would revolve around Country Music. Although
I sing Christian Country Music, I have a deep passionate love for Country Music. I’ve
looked up to so many Artists over the years such as Keith Whitley, George
Jones, Alan Jackson, Tracy Lawrence, Garth Brooks, and of course the Man in
Black- Mr. Johnny Cash. I guess this is why my music is so deeply rooted in the
Country Music Twang. I love it, but as a Country Christian Artist, I promote
the message of Christ with the songs I sing.
I do listen to some Country Music. There was a time
span of two years where I didn’t listen to anything, but Christian Music. No
Country! In those two years, God was cleansing me and preparing me for the
call. I had always dreamed of becoming a famous Country Music Singer, but my
heart wasn’t right. Once God cleaned me up which took a period of about 7
years, He has allowed me to sing again. This time as a Country Christian
Artist. Although 7 years is a long time, it’s God’s perfect number of
completion. Even though I didn’t sing much in those 7 years, I’m thankful that
God is now allowing me to blossom for His glory.
I had the first line of this song in my head for over
a year. “How can I embrace the thought of Your grace, when I can’t see past the
shame of my disgrace?” I pondered on this for many months, and nothing ever
came to me. Sitting in my hotel room in Nashville, TN. earlier this year, I
pinned down the rest of the lyrics to this song. I guess I had to get to the
heart of the Country Music Capitol of the world for God to penetrate my heart.
When He downloaded this song into my spirit, I was ecstatic. I really believe
this song is going to bless many people.
Writing a song is not something I do very quickly. If
fact, many of the songs I’ve written have been over many months of praying and
seeking God’s guidance. However, when I feel a little song coming on, I grab my
pen, and jot it down right then. Most times, I see or hear something that makes
my mind race, and then I get an idea for a song. So, to answer your question,
Yes, I love when I get to write new songs. It’s like I’m sharing a piece of
myself with the world that they would otherwise never have gotten.
Well, I wrote my first real song about 8 years ago,
and I found some guys in Nashville to put music together for me. “Burnt Baked
Potatoes” was the name of the song. It’s not Christian for sure. I have it on
an mp3 file on my computer somewhere, but I never officially recorded it. That
would definitely be embarrassing for me if certain people would hear that song,
but again, it’s a reminder for me what exactly God has done in my life.
Definitely at the Opry. Growing up, all the major
concerts I would watch on TV were performed on the stage of the Opry. I went
there for a tour about 10 years ago, and I stood in that circle on the stage.
It was as though I could feel the energy of all those performers just rushing
through my body. It was so energizing and exciting. At that moment, I whispered
out loud to myself, “One day, I will perform on this stage!”
Without my faith, my songs would be in vain. My heart
would be in the wrong place. With what talent God has given me, I want to use
it to be a blessing to others in need. In a world of negativity, I like to
believe that my songs can be that positive boost in someone’s life.
Visit my website at: http://www.NateFortner.com
Subscribe to my YouTube Chanel at: www.YouTube.com/NateFortner
LIKE Me on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/authornate
Twitter: @NateFortner
CLICK HERE - to listen to my song "Renew Me I Pray"
Nate Fortner - Christian Country Music
P.O. Box 1513
Boaz, AL. 35957
Nate@NateFortner.com
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Nate Fortner - Whether by the Rapture or by the Grave - Christian Country Music
Jesus is Awesome! I can't even wrap my mind around the thought of His awesomeness! Everyday I live is because of Him. Every breath is Him! Every cell of my body is because of Him! He is my everything! I can't even hardly sit still right now just thinking about how awesome He is! In my sin, He rescued me from myself! He cleaned me up, and set me on a right path! I am nothing without Jesus! My life is meaningless without Jesus! I can't do anything without Jesus! I'm not perfect, but I know a man who is perfect, and He calls my son! He calls me friend! One day He's gonna call me home! Jesus has just set a fire under me today! By the rapture or by the grave, when He calls my name, I'm gonna rise!
Nate Fortner - Christian Country Music
P.O. Box 1513
Boaz, AL. 35957
Nate@NateFortner.com
Nate Fortner - Christian Country Music
P.O. Box 1513
Boaz, AL. 35957
Nate@NateFortner.com
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