Paisley Yankolovich...what can I say about Paisley Yankolovich? To be perfectly

honest, I could say a lot, but  I’ll limit it to what I think would be most helpful

for others who might consider hosting him at their venues.

 

Paisley and I first met over 12 years ago after he sent me a random cd in the mail

and I did a brief search online to discover more about this perfect stranger. The

comparison to “Keith Green” came up in one review and that had me intrigued.

Paisley’s music and performance is certainly not mainstream, but his message and

ministry touches hearts in a way that cuts through much of the pretense and hype

associated with more “acceptable” and “traditional” approaches.

 

I’m not a professional musician or performer - I’m a youth pastor. So, if you want a

review on Paisley’s music, performance, shows and style, feel free to listen and

watch his many online videos and determine those things for yourself. As a pastor

of teenagers, I will say this: I have seen the Holy Spirit move in extremely

personal and intimate ways through Paisley’s ministry to our kids. The Lord has

touched lives in ways that I’ve been unable to reach and has drawn in kids that

would normally feel out of place or excluded from typical church activity.

 

I’ve watched Paisley respond to the Lord’s prompting and direction with grace and

humility both during times of ministry and in preparation for his time with our

youth group. Sure, his performances may sometimes be covered in flash and glam,

but he and I talk openly about what God is saying and doing in our times together,

and there is genuine depth and tenderness at the core of Paisley’s approach. He’s

been respectful, honest, blunt, challenging and trustworthy.

 

For all of those  reasons and more, I gladly welcome his unique ministry as a

regular addition to my youth group. And for all of those same reasons and more, I

am tremendously happy to call him my friend.

 

If you’re considering hosting Paisley, please do so with my wholehearted

recommendation. If you’re hesitating because it feels like you’re stepping out on an

unfamiliar limb...well, just tell that to Paisley. Believe me, he totally

understands and shares your concerns. I’ve been there myself, still find myself

there on occasion with him, and the Lord uses all of that to stretch me in my walk

with Him. I pray He does the same for you.

 

Cliff Roberts

Youth Pastor

New Life Fellowship

Barstow, California