Encounter Eternal

For those of you who have seen Encounter Eternal, you know how they go all-out for their fans. They will do whatever heroic act it takes to make sure that they get what they know their fans need from them. Yesterday, they ministered at an outdoor benefit concert for a little girl who is overcoming leukemia. On the way there, they had some difficulties with the wheel bearing of their trailer. Though this caused a slight delay in the start of this benefit concert, it did not stop them from getting to the park in Harriman. It was also very cold outside, but that did not stop these five men from doing what they were there to do, which was to show some brotherly love to a little girl, and also to warm the hearts of those who love the powerful messages in their songs who came out for this great cause.

As many of you know, the event that happened last night at Life Point Church in Lafollette, TN, had been canceled back in July. In my humble opinion, having to wait until last night to go to this event to see Encounter Eternal was almost unbearable for me. I love this band's music! Add to that my friendship with the band, and you couldn't blame me for having to anxiously wait nearly two months before I'd be able to see them again. In that time, Vance Moore came on board as the new bass player. Vance, we all wish you, as well as your family, a warm welcome to the band. If I do say so myself, you have enhanced the band's sound with your talents.
For those of you who were there last night, if you needed to let your hair hang down (literally and/or figuratively), or came feeling ashamed, hindrered, or even spiritually dry, I hope that Encounter Eternal's music, and what lead singer Jon Hopkins spoke about between songs, uplifted you. Having seen them four times already, their music may be hard and loud, but the messages in the songs, as well as what Jon shares between them, are very real and humble-just two of many things I like about them-and are things that have stuck with me over time.
While still on the subject of their songs, there were some new ones that they played. Though he hasn't gotten to where he has memorized the words, and in his dedication to have God speak to the audience through him, Jon sang some of the new ones. That he wasn't ashamed of needing to look at the lyrics he had written on paper spoke volumes to me. I am, for a lack of better words, a "reformed perfectionist"; seeing Jon do what he did has convinced me to apply that a little bit more to some areas my life.
If you were truly blessed with Encounter Eternal last night, or at any other time over the past few months, I have great news. You will more than likely see them quite a bit in the near future. After what I saw last night, I believe God is going to do great things through them. You can, as Jon said last night, "jump in and you'll still be okay."

It was a very hot day yesterday! If you were at the London Olympic Outreach at South Harriman Baptist Church last night for Christian Thomas Hawkins' mission trip, you probably would not have escaped the heat, in spite of being indoors. The temperature in the room seemed to rise when Affliction Asylum got up on the stage, and lead singer Jeremy Scott's souled out-ness (for a lack of better words
) was rather contagious. The presence of the LORD certainly filled the place, and the windows-what few there were in the room-almost shattered...But even more so when Encounter Eternal came up. Jon unashamedly danced before the LORD, revealed his honesty and transparency in his own walk with Him, and the messages in the songs really raised the roof. Something that I thought was rather touching was when Dale Johnson sat down with a young girl who was in a wheelchair. When they were about to sing "Lost and Confused", Jon-as well as some other people-noticed that I shouted, just as a way to let them know how much I love that song.
There is so much more I could say about Encounter Eternal, but words cannot come easily. Hopefully, wEE can see them again in Crossville on July 14th and get more of what God wants from us through the messages in their music. With that said, abundant blessings to Jon H., Dale, Paul, Jon A., and Craig.

Encounter Eternal is awesome and will ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! They have such a powerful sound with uplifting, encouraging, and Truthful lyrics. It's nice to be able to get my Jesus/Rock fix all with the same band.They are Great men of God reaching out to a crowd that typically might never hear the word anywhere else. I am an EE fan for life!