Andy Squyres/Jacob Early Show
as well as updates, prayer requests, and a small (but mighty) purchase for the prayer room
One of the many reasons I love living in the greater Charlotte region is the gorgeous privilege of being in the orbit of phenomenal Carolina creatives, both well-known and not-so-known. What’s fascinating to me is that even though many of the well-known artists have far-reaching appreciaters, somehow their hometown shows, exhibits, or gatherings always feel like an intimate family party. I’ve experienced it with many of my favorite musical artists (John Mark McMillan, the Helsers, Stephen Williams, Cageless Birds, etc).
Last night with Andy Squyres and Jacob Early was no exception. We gathered in a small urban warehouse in uptown, and it was the most refreshing, reviving, such-a-joy-to-be-human kind of night.
I discovered Jacob Early a few years ago with his song Resting in the Lord (he became a fast favorite in our home), but it turns out I have connections with his wife Amy that go even further back. If you haven’t heard his song Faith More Precious Than Gold that he did with Mission House stop reading and go listen to it now, it is everything. Try not to cry.
The night started with Jacob in his quiet, unassuming way sharing a few songs. He seemed to me a gentle giant (he is 6’7’’ — it’s always fun when we get to see someone taller than Matt, who is 6’6”), and his songs had a sweet, worshipful tenor that was so pleasant and refreshing.
Next, Andy took the stage; his frame seemingly small at first in the wake of Jacob. Then he peered out to the onlookers, his eyes full of hope and rich with years of anguish. He held nothing back as he served his heart to us and to God with only the strings of his acoustic guitar as accompaniment. Immediately we were transfixed. We were all taken to moments beyond that room. It was mesmerizing, and I highly recommend that if you have an opportunity to see him play in person, you make it happen. His lyrics hit in a way that is hard to describe — he captures so well the tension of pain and disappointment held in the balance of longing and wonder and a faith that won’t die. He is hilarious and honest. We wanted to support him more than just the ticket price, so we snagged one of these for the prayer room.
The videos don’t really do the moments justice, but I’ll share another anyway:
Andy and his wife Amy were lovely to chat with — when people have endured pain and gotten through still clinging ferociously to God, there’s just a quality about them. You can see it in the eyes and feel it in the kindness. Make sure you listen to Andy’s new EP, Praise Songs!
Reminders:
Art workshops are on pause for the month of July! We will see you in August!
The Speak Up writing workshops are still happening at the Rock Hill library on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and at the Mercantile on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM.
The prayer room is open for reserving! Check this link weekly for hours. We’ve had several groups utilize the space with the new World Cup stations up (even someone came in from New York recently!) and are excited to share some testimonies soon!
Be sure to check here for the next Table date, and if you aren’t on the Table mailing list already, jump in to be notified.
Key dates:
The Rock Hill Pilgrimage — York County Prayer and the team from the Charlotte Prayer Room are hosting a weekend of going deeper together in the Lord! For an idea of our time together, see here (final schedule to be sent to registrants in August). We are intentionally capping it at 12 pilgrims to protect the intimacy of the weekend, so reserve your spots before they fill up.
The Global Week of Prayer // September 6 - 13. We will be joining with the nations in a week of nonstop, 24-7 prayer. Read about it here and stay tuned for how to participate locally.
The National Gathering // September 30 - October 2 // Chicago — The theme of this year's National Gathering is Breath. “The rallying cry of 24-7 Prayer has always been rooted in Ezekiel 37, when the prophet calls on the Spirit, depicted metaphorically as breath. Breath is what we need when we're weary, tired, and burdened. Breath is what restores life even to those who seem to have died. Breath is the rest of the psalmist characterized as Selah, and breath is the roar of the prophet over a valley's dry bones. Breath saves, sustains, restores, and gives life.” Join us for a restorative time! More info here.
Prayer request:
Ecclessia Cladding Company has been incredibly generous to York County Prayer in allowing us the use of their prior office space all these months. We are so blessed by them! However, we’ve known from the beginning that the prayer room we currently have is not our long-term space. This is for many reasons. Their lease is up in February of 2027, and it is not ideal for their company to renew this particular lease. In addition, as much as we love the space (the trees! the sunrise! the location!), it is not ideal for our purposes. It is in an office building, and understandably, the owners prefer that the doors are closed and locked as soon as business hours are over. This makes it harder to have evening and weekend hours and events! It also isn’t accessible, so several of our friends are unable to climb the stairs to enjoy the prayer room. Also, our corporate times together have been very tight, and we’ve had to cap them off due to space limitations. We dream of being able to have just a little bit more room when we gather for our worship, prayer, and creative moments. We have been praying for what the Lord has in mind next; we want to be in step with whatever that might be! If you have any ideas or leads, please do let us know, and please be praying with us! The space has been such a blessing and a hub for so many in our communities; if you have not yet had the chance to experience I highly recommend you do so before February of next year! Spend time alone in there! Bring the kids! Bring your small group, church staff, or ministry team! There are so many ways to enjoy the space; lean in while we have it these next eight months.
To the King! To the Restoration!