I’d prayed over the years at places like Hume Lake Christian Camps (surrounded by beautiful trees, people, and activities), but never in the wilderness, until 2022. Let me explain...
In October 2021, I had been slowing down my production work with the touring gospel reggae band Christafari, and had been increasing my role as the Studio Director at the Watts Empowerment Center, running programming for 40+ youth locally in South Central Los Angeles.
In order to protect against burn out, I began planning my first sabbatical, a time to pause work to connect with myself, God, and community intentionally. With six months of planning, it finally started March 1, 2022.
To start it off, I did a four day silent retreat at St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, CA. Being in the desert, I experienced a life changing detox from noise, and reorientation to God, that kickstarted my 40 day life changing sabbatical. I was able to BE with God undistracted, whereas in life I had so many things vying for my limited attention.
As I finished it and walked away transformed April 10, 2022, I had a lot to learn and integrate into my day to day life.
One way to do that, was in January 2023, I invited my friend Josh to join me for a short retreat to slow down from our lives and spend time with God in the desert.
I believe about a year later (roughly 2024), Josh had a friend Jordan thinking through some life transitions and his newly renewed faith in Jesus.
They went to the desert to be with God and pray.
Then, summer of 2024 Jordan and Josh sat down for a podcast and talked about his journey as a creator and video editor, and I thought it would be good to connect with our shared investment in the entertainment industry. We started meeting weekly for a season, praying, and sharing challenges and breakthroughs.
With some changing seasons, the weekly meetings slowed and stopped, but our friendship is something I deeply appreciate.
Now, Summer 2026, Jordan went back to the monastery, used his creative and production skillsets to capture the journey and his thoughts, and connect deeply profound truths of faith in Jesus. He's now sharing that journey to an audience. Who knows how God may use this storytelling!
Is that cool or what?
I thank God for His mercy in my life, His mercy in the life of others, and how He is connecting and guiding people in their own paths, for our good and the good of others.
Hear Jordan's Journey in the Desert!
oh and by the way, the guitar playing, it was inspired by the conpline prayer in the desert in 2022 :)
