Why I Love Worship

If you know me, you know that I love music! I am one of the Worship Pastors at my church, Hope Church. I play keyboard, guitar, and sing. Ever since I was super little, I had an ear and a passion for music. When I was 11 years old, my family started attending Hope Church. My Pastor gave me an opportunity to take piano lessons from some friends of his. My mom drove me 45 minutes away to another church every Saturday so I could learn. It became so natural for me and I fell in love with the piano. I thought it was just a hobby. Little did I know, God had big plans for me…

Within two months, I was playing the piano for my church’s Worship Team. At the age of 13, I began singing for my church as well. I had no idea I was capable of singing, but I was encouraged by our old Worship Pastor to give it a shot. I fell in love with that, too.

I always loved music, but once I started playing and singing for God, I fell in love with it even more.

It all started because people took a chance on an 11 year old little girl with no real experience to fulfill her God-given purpose. I am so grateful for my parents, my Pastor, and my church.

One of my first times playing the piano during a service around the age of 11!

This was at the church in Houma that I was given piano lessons from.

It was never just a phase for me. When I was 16 years old, I began leading worship services little by little. Meaning I was in charge of the planning of songs, vocal notes, leading practices and the worship service itself. Struggling with anxiety and low self-confidence, this wasn’t an easy task. It took a lot of faith to trust that God had ordained me for this and that He was going to use me to reach others. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough or old enough- but I know now that’s a lie from the enemy.

1 Timothy 4:12 NLT

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Now at 20 years old, I am the Worship Pastor at one of Hope Church’s locations in Raceland, Louisiana. I say this not to boast, but to share my testimony. If He did it for me, He can do it for you. Don’t let the enemy steal your passions and your God-given purpose from you. If you stay committed to Jesus, He will bless you with the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 NLT

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

As a Worship Pastor, I get asked this question a lot: Carlie, what do you love most about worship?

There are so many different ways I could answer this, but my number one reason is always this: My favorite part about worship is seeing how it changes other people’s lives and watching them step into the presence of God.

When we step into God’s presence… chains break, lives are healed, miracles, freedom and breakthrough happens. You can’t tell me that it isn't powerful. There is nothing sweeter than being in the presence of the Lord. That’s why I love worship so much.

Remember… You are loved.

Carlie