The Lord blessed the First Baptist
Church of Byram, Jackson, Mississippi, with the ministry of Gary Lanier in
a Revival effort. It is amazing what God has done in our church
through his special approach to praise and worship.
We have had some confusion in the
past few years over styles of music in our church. The fresh, open, and
balanced worship style Gary brought to First Baptist was used by God to
open many hearts to what true praise and worship is all about, the Lord
Jesus. The music that Gary has composed, and the hymns that were selected
were honored by God, with our people making many decisions to follow
Christ, and others to become a part of First Baptist, Byram.
I thank Gary, for his
commitment to glorify our Lord through the language of Heaven, praise and
worship.
It's hard to put in words what
happened in a revival at First Baptist Church of Byram, Ms, with
Gary Lanier, but God touched our lives in powerful, and possibly even
miraculous, ways.
Since the church has
a good group of senior adults, I asked Gary to adapt his worship
leadership to fit the congregation, which he graciously and effectively
did. But, I was not expecting what God did with Gary's songs, in the life
of the senior
adults... they loved his songs!
I have been doing blended worship in church for
several years, and I have never had a breakthrough like what happened with
Gary in our revival. It was God touching the lives of seniors in a new and fresh way, and they loved it!
Pastor Carl Prewitt and I
called it nothing less than a miracle! If you have many senior adults in
your congregation, you know what I'm talking about.
But, the entire church responded
wonderfully to Gary's worship music, not just the senior adults. The choir
was greatly blessed. On Saturday, before the revival, we had a special
supper and revival choir rehearsal. I had been teaching the choir and
congregation Gary's worship chorus, IN OUR MIDST, the song that was to be
the revival theme. That night, as Gary led us through the song, using his
guitar, one of my choir members said, with tears in her eyes, 'We have
been singing this song to learn it for revival, and it was just a song.
But just then, when we sang it with you, I saw your heart.' The
revival had already started, and it wasn't even Sunday!
Gary's songs and
worship leadership have really touched and blessed my own life. To my
delight, when I started singing Gary's worship songs, they just really
grabbed me and 'transported' me right to God. They are a combination of
crystal clear lyrics and fresh music with melodic motifs that are nothing
less than anointed. These songs took me from singing, to worshipping God
face to face in just a few moments. It was a WORSHIP REVIVAL, and it was
good!
I urge you -
don't miss what God is doing, and wants to do, through the songs and
ministry of Gary Lanier. Your church, and you, will be greatly blessed.
Gary's passion for leading in
worshipping God is refreshing. I know God, in His sovereignty, worked to
bring us together to serve the people of First Baptist Byram. I was
touched by many of his songs. God has given him a special gift through
songwriting, and I appreciate him sharing it with all of us.
Jeff
Byars
Former Minister of Music
Immanuel Baptist Church, Greenwood, MS
WOW! What an awesome
time we experienced, as Gary led us in true worship! Thank you, Gary, for
allowing God to use you to bring us into His presence. I cannot remember a
time when I have experienced God's presence in me, and around me, as I did
in the service as Gary led.
Gary is a down to
earth instrument of God, willing to do whatever God sends him to do, and
willing to go wherever He asks him to go. Thank you for being unselfish,
and so full of His love.