"God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!"
Band Website: www.tommyrenfro.com
My name is Tommy Renfro. I am a twenty-two-year-old college senior from Greenville, Ohio. My testimony started long before my birth. In 1970 my parents were wed and in 1985 I was born, so if you are counting, that is a fifteen-year period. During this time span mom and dad longed for a child, but every doctor known to man said it was impossible, however, they weren’t dealing with the Alpha and Omega. To make a long story short, mom went in for a complete hysterectomy and found out she was ten days pregnant. Voila, here I am.
I told you that story to help you understand God’s purpose for my life. In 1997 I began singing at my church. I was scared to death, but I was singing. As a twelve-year-old boy, I never dreamed that spreading the Word of God to the masses through music was my calling: “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. “
After a few years singing from time to time I became really involved in my youth ministry, Tidal Wave. I became the praise team’s lead singer, and that praise team birthed a youth explosion in Southwestern Ohio. We grew to much more than just a youth ministry or praise band. In 2002-2003 we sang everywhere from West 58th Street Church of God in Cleveland, Ohio to TBN Channel 17 in Canton, Ohio. From Churches to Coffee Houses and everywhere in between, we were on the move.
My career with Tidal Wave reached its peak this past winter, when we sang for Dale Earnhart Jr. night at the E.J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. 11,000 people was a brand new experience for me. It was then and there that I knew what God had for me. I could see stadiums full of people coming to feel the anointing and power of God. What an amazing spiritual feeling.
Tidal Wave continued to progress, but we all know sometimes the Lord moves in mysterious ways. In June of 2004 I was singing at a revival when God rocked my world. The message was entitled “ Take your blankets off”. Wow, it was definitely time for my blankets to fly off. God said, “Quit holding fast to what is comfortable, jump and I’ll catch you.” So I did. It was very hard, but through His grace I took the leap out into a solo career.
Over the past few years I have been walking in the way of Christ. From church to church across Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Kentucky the spirit is overflowing. I’ve already jumped and God has caught me. Now I’m ready for Him to push me on.
I pray that God leads me your way. I guarantee one thing, where ever I go the Spirit of the Lord will follow, because the Bible says in Mat. 18:20: “ Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them,” and I’m taking Him with me.
Influences
Mercy Me,
The Steeles,
The Crabb Family,
The Isaacs,
Audio A,
Bethany Dillon,
Amy Grant,
Rebeca St. James,
Ray Boltz,
Jars of Clay,
The Katinas,
Israel and New Breed,
Hillsong,
The Ride,
Relient K,
Skillet,
Pillar,
Falling Up,
Rich Mullins,
Michael W. Smith,
Third Day,
Randy Travis,
Ricky Skaggs,
Newsboys,
David Crowder,
Chris Tomlin,
Josh Turner,
The Gaither Vocal Band,
Jimmy Dooley,
Josh Bates,
Jesus Christ
