Letter from my friend in Arkansas about American Idol winner Kris Allen

I couldn't tell you exactly the first moment I remember Kris Allen leading worship, but what comes to mind is a flooding of memories.  You see when I was in college I would go weekly to this Christian ministry called Chi Alpha and it would bring in what felt like over 100 students each Monday night and we'd gather before the Lord in a room upstairs in the student center of University of Central Arkansas.  This is where Kris truly blossomed for the Lord and used his gifting that God gave him to draw students closer to our heavenly Father through song and acoustic guitar.  I, too, was involved in the ministry and served there in a different capacity and though I wasn't a dear friend of Kris Allen, I was touched by his art.  He and I knew of each other and would say "hi" in passing and though my friends and I didn't know then that he would win American Idol a few years later, we  still knew he had talent and believed in him.

I distinctly remember Kris being my favorite worship leader during my college experience and I enjoyed the way he would sing songs acoustically, the lights set low, and the most beautiful sound happened when Kris would close out our worship service by having the whole group of students sing acapella with just our voices filling the room.  It was like a piece of heaven.  On occasion, when I'd walk into our Chi Alpha ministry, I'd be disappointed to find that Kris wasn't going to lead worship that night.  I can honestly say that his gifting drew me closer to Jesus and many times it would bring tears to my eyes and compel me to raise my hands in worship; not holding anything back.  I loved when he sang fast, upbeat worship songs and I especially loved how he sang calm, peaceful songs; both drew me to bow before the throne of our King.

You know how some worship leaders can be overly charismatic?  Well, I'm not I'm saying they are wrong in the way they lead worship, but Kris spoke to all of us in how he was used by God to bring a humbleness to our worship time.  He was never big on himself and he still isn't to this day.  Even on American Idol, he's still the same, humble Kris that I know and have truly been blessed by over the years.  It's a true privilege that I have known him and experienced worship through Kris Allen's eyes and voice.  There were several different times our ministry we would have a retreat, a cookout or a fun gathering and Kris would be there, guitar in hand, ready to be a vessel for the Lord; ready to guide us in worship.  He was just so real in how he performed, because he really wasn't performing, he was using his gifting to lead us in love songs to our God!  I get chills just thinking about it.  It was almost as if Kris wasn't standing up front with his guitar, but standing beside us and we could hear his voice.  He was never one to have all the attention on himself and I admire that so much in him.

Kris was so servant-hearted that he would lead worship for our Chi Alpha ministry on Monday nights and then on Sundays he'd lead worship at a local church in Conway, Arkansas called NewLife Church.  I went there on and off during my college years and if I wasn't able to make it to the ministry on Monday nights, I was able to be led in worship by Kris Allen on Sundays.  His heart of worship has touched so many lives on the UCA campus and beyond that you know God must be smiling down on him already and saying, "You've done so much for me, my faithful servant."  He went on several mission trips with Chi Alpha and was utilized by God in other countries to make such an impact for the Kingdom, which is another incredible way he has lived a life of serving and giving of his time, talent, and heart.

One of my dear friends who I've known for many years, Jody, was my roommate our freshman year in college and she was another person of talent.  Many times I would come back from class and open the door to our dorm room and there she'd be with her acoustic guitar playing and singing something so beautiful.  That year God really called her to be on the worship team at Chi Alpha and eventually Kris Allen made his way onto UCA's campus and joined the worship team with her.  She'd play the piano and sing on stage, while he lead worship up front with a microphone and guitar.  The combination of both of their voices was truly God breathed.  In addition to them was, of course, a bass player and drummer and that truly gave "us" students a complete worship experience.  It was truly a blessing!  During my senior year in college, Jody began her dream of wanting to become a recording artist and made a full album of her own and had her own CD release party.  I wasn't able to make it, sadly, but one incredible fact is that Kris Allen opened for Jody at her release party and now look at what God has done through Kris.  He is the 2009 American Idol!  Jody is still using her God-given talent and playing at shows in Little Rock, Arkansas, so who knows how God will bless her in the coming years.  I know she'll succeed in the music industry somehow, especially now that her good buddy, Kris Allen, has become known around the world.  I hope you've enjoyed hearing this story of how I know Kris Allen and I pray you remember in your heart that God can use you wherever you are, even in a small town like Conway, Arkansas.  God can open doors for you and use you like you never thought before.  Just believe that the Lord can use you and believe He wants to use you for BIG THINGS, because He's a God of greatness!

~By: Jarin Fontenoy