Jess Birdwell
Lead Vocals
As a child, there are very few Sunday mornings I remember when my family was not in church. At times we would grumble and complain about having to go. Looking back, I realize how blessed I am to have had parents that took us to church. So many of my friends growing up did not have what I had. Most of their parents were divorced and most very rarely went to church. I count it a blessing to know that all of my family has a testimony of salvation. Being the youngest child, I don't remember when my siblings were saved but I do remember the night I got saved. It was a Monday night of our fall revival at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church when I was nine years old that I realized I was lost. I remember not wanting to go to the altar that night. I thought that if no one knew I was lost, the feeling I had inside would go away. Wednesday night rolled around and that feeling was still there. I kept telling myself that I could not go to the altar and pray. As the service drew near to an end that night, I knew that an altar call was just around the corner. When the pastor of our church, Elder D.W. Story, made the altar call he began to walk in my direction. As he got closer, my heart started beating faster and faster. I closed my eyes and then heard him began to speak. As started to listen to what he was saying, I realized, he wasn't talking to me. He had walked right passed me and was talking to the girl behind me. I listened to the things he was saying to her and began to cry. I realized that no one in that church building knew my condition, but I knew and more importantly God knew. I knew I could not leave the church that night until I got saved. I went to the altar and after praying for awhile, God saved my soul. It wasn't really what I expected. I was expecting this big event and this overwhelming feeling, but it was just a relief. I felt so burdened down and all of the sudden it was gone. I couldn't cry anymore because I felt better. I was a little confused about what had happened so I kept trying to pray for a few minutes. I found that I couldn't pray for salvation anymore because, I had it! I stood up and told everyone that I was saved. I wanted to join the church that night, but other people were praying so I waited until the next night. I joined Union Hill and was a member there until 2000 when I joined Victory.
God has blessed me more than I could ever deserve since that night. I have a good home, beautiful wife, and two adoring little boys. God is so good to me. He placed a love for music in my heart as a young child and now he has given me a chance to fulfill that love. I pray that, as we travel, we would always remember to share what God has done for each of us. For those of you who have not experienced true salvation, I pray that you will make an altar somewhere today. For those of you who have an experience with God, I ask that you pray for Called Out that we would always be found in the center of God's will. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support and may God richly bless each of your lives.
Birthday: November 12, 1980
Family: Wife-Lindy, Sons- Clayton (7) and Carter (4)
Home: Portland, TN
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, golfing
Favorite Gospel Groups: The Gaither Vocal Band and The Freemans
Favorite Gospel Song: "As Long As I Got King Jesus"
