GRACE feature : Alan Back

Hello friends! I am so excited to begin a new series I’ve been brewing up for the BLOG called GRACE.  Within this series I aspire to spotlight artists and their testimony, real and raw. It has been heavy on my heart to use my blog as a platform to display the works of God in peoples’ lives. We are all called to share not only our strengths, but our vulnerabilities so that others can see the light that shines through our cracks. I hope that this series will shed light on the grace God has given all of us while promoting thankful hearts and unconditional love through all of life’s lessons.  I’m not sure what shape or direction this series will take but I am beyond excited to launch it and see where it goes. 

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” | Mark 3:19

World, meet Alan! Here is his story…

“Love. This four letter word is the most complex action we can accomplish. To love should always be unconditional, without reserve, and unyielding. This love saved my life. I was an atheist until age 19. I always thought there was a purpose for my life but couldn’t figure out what that was. When reconnected with my friends Shelley and Erin, we talked about theology and who Jesus really is. I then met the man who would change my life forever. His name is Chris Mathis. Chris truly showed me what it looks like to constantly seek and act like Jesus. From playing ping pong in the youth room to staying up until 5 AM talking about God, women and life’s lessons, he was there. After one short month of time spent with Chris I was baptized. Two months after baptism I auditioned to play bass in a band called True Story. This group of guys have been there for me through thick and thin. I lost my beautiful, loving and caring mother to Stage 4 Colon Cancer on April 26, 2013. My brothers from True Story got me through the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced by expressing their love that can only be found through Jesus. Since then I have been able to travel the world, performing in countries such as Guatemala, Panama and Lebanon to share the love of Jesus through music. Along the way I have been able to create incredible friendships, have witnessed miracles and am constantly reminded of how God can take a broken man and transform him into a disciple of Christ. Though love can be so complex, it is essential. Love saved my life, now I love others so that one day I can do the same for someone else.” – Alan

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | 2 Corinthians 12:8-9