WORSHIP LEADER HIGHLIGHT: Jimmy Purchase on Church Planting and How the Gospel Balances

Crossway Church

Jimmy Purchase is becoming an expert in growing new things. 
At 24, he is a father, husband, and pastor. Purchase has helped plant two churches, and has been leading worship for 10 years. Currently the worship pastor at Crossway Church in Davie, Purchase works with lead pastor Jon Elswick to impact the community with the gospel. I had the privilege of sitting down with Jimmy over some ribs at Scruby's, to discuss the joys and struggles of being a church planting worship pastor.

NWL: How did you start worship leading?

Jimmy: I started as a 6^th grader, playing guitar for a new contemporary service my church was starting up. From there I went to bass, and then just started playing church music every week from then on. I was leading the youth band by 7^th grade, and at 14 I was like, “Hmm.” (laughs) Thought it was something I could do full time.

NWL: Crossway was planted in 2010, and has been doing some awesome things in the community. You were with it from it's launch, so can you tell us some struggles you find as a “church plant worship pastor?” Ones that maybe a worship pastor from an established church doesn't have?

Jimmy: I'd say the biggest difference is the man power. Many churches have multiple staff members wearing different hats. I kind of wear all of them at once on a week by week basis: worship pastor, community group leader, producer on sunday, graphic communications director, assistant to Jon.

NWL: Are you a good multi-tasker?

Jimmy: No (laughs). Not at all.

NWL: With all of that, how do you maintain your balance?

Jimmy: I'm still figuring that out. (laughs) I think the hardest thing is that for me, to really excel in one aspect you have to neglect others. I think I'm working to schedule my time better. I'm a focus guy, I need one thing to chew on at a time. We're getting to a place at Crossway where I try and give myself like three weeks to really engage in a project. Time management is huge for us.

NWL: Are there things that you've learned being a worship pastor in a church plant that you may have not gotten otherwise?

Jimmy: Oh for sure. It brought in a new view of what it means to be an artist that strives to support the lead pastor. Planting has shown me my role is to help and and serve Jon. I see it like when the Israelites fought Amalek in Exodus 17, you know? When Moses had his hands up, the israelites would be winning. And when Moses grew tired, Aaron and Hur held up his hands for him. To me, that is a picture of what I do. My job is to help hold up the lead pastor's hands to do what God is calling him to do.

NWL: That's awesome. In addition to doing work for Crossway, you recently began hosting a worship leader's gathering once a month at Sheridan House. Can you tell us a little about that?

Jimmy: That idea came from a pattern I saw based from my own experiences. As a worship leader, I had been able to meet other leaders from all over. I was able to reach out to them, build relationships. The more I met, the more I realized that my experience was actually a rare one. I saw this pattern of worship leaders being isolated behind their desks, carrying their own burdens, and many of them feel like there is no support system out there. I believe friends don't let friends do ministry alone, so 

I had the idea some time last year to host an event to help worship leaders from all over south florida connect to each other.

Jimmy and Rowan

Then my daughter Rowan was born and it kind of got pushed to the backburner. But in January of this year, I began to start re-examining the concept. And then literally later that day I got a Facebook invite by Steve Villafane from The Lighthouse Church to join this group called Worship Leaders United. I realized that I wasn't the only person feeling this need to connect with the worship leading community.

NWL: What is the purpose of these meetings?

Jimmy: The idea is pretty simple- Strengthen the kingdom, sharpen skills, seek encouragement. It's super relational, and bridges the divide of distance, the divide of denomination, the divide of style. We all love Jesus, we all want to see people saved, and see the renewal of South Florida. We want to see God work in a mighty way. We write together, share music, discuss issues we face...it's a cool thing.

NWL: Lastly, how does the gospel impact your worship leading, your pastoring, your church planting?

Jimmy: To me the gospel frees, saves, liberates. When I can't wear five hats, the gospel frees me up. The Spirit heals, brings peace, and brings clarity, which I think is rare sometimes. The gospel reminds me that those things I ask for aren't based on my actions, and frees me up from thinking it all is on my shoulders. It prevents me from thinking the church will grow based on what I do. If I couldn't save myself, how can I grow a church by myself? It's all God, man. He grows. He saves. He gathers. He sustains. The Bible says God is the author and finisher of our faith, and I believe He is the author and finisher of our church.

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JIMMY PURCHASE

MUSICAL INFLUENCES:

Death Cab for Cutie, Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Dennison Marrs, Bon Iver

GEAR:

Fender Tele 72 Thinline with humbuckers

Reverent Buckshot

99 Taylor 710

Gibson Les Paul

CHECK OUT: Crossway Church