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If you’ve been following my newsletter for a while, you probably know me as the writer who drops into your inbox each Monday morning. But before the writing, there was music. For those who may not know, I’ve been blessed with a career that has spanned genres and stages. But there’s something uniquely fulfilling about leading people in worship, helping them connect deeply with God. It’s in those moments that I feel truly aligned with my purpose.

Recently, I had the honor of singing for a Sunday morning worship service here in Atlanta. The service was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., but we hit a snag—the guest speaker’s flight wasn’t landing until 11 a.m., and the lead pastor was out of town.

The challenge was clear: keep the congregation engaged, uplifted, and connected without them realizing there was a delay. In other words, don’t land the plane until I’ve got eyes on the guest speaker.

What could have been a high-stress situation turned into a moment of flow. Feedback after the service confirmed that not only did we navigate the delay seamlessly, but many attendees had no idea we were “stalling.” It was simply a room resounding with authentic worship that led up to a message that challenged us to live and love more like Jesus.

Fast forward to the team debrief call later that week. The team was so gracious and gave me lots of props for my contribution to the service. One teammate even likened my last-minute leadership to the late Kobe Bryant’s clutch performances on the court. I was flattered, to say the least.

But here’s the thing: While I appreciated their kind words, I couldn’t leave it there. I made it a point to pivot, acknowledging that my ability to look like Kobe was only possible because of God’s grace, first and foremost, but also the phenomenal team supporting me. Their intentional care and blend of competence and chemistry made the entire morning a success!

Servant leadership is just that—lifting others, even as they lift you. When we focus on collaboration, shared purpose, and mutual support, the whole team wins.

As you head into this week, consider this: How can you elevate those around you? Whether it’s at work, in your community, or at home, small acts of support and encouragement have a ripple effect far beyond what we can see.

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,