Clarification from Johnny

As you have probably seen I have been posting on Social Media a "Go Fund Me Campaign". http://www.gofundme.com/Fund-3-songs  I did this to help raise funds for one of the biggest opportunities of my ministry. Before I tell you the details, I wanted to be a bit transparent with you and share my heart. I received some negative feedback. It was said that the campaign made it look like I was asking people to help me become famous. I just want to assure you this is far and away from the truth. Here's the truth, you can't get "famous" doing Christian Country Music. The industry is just not there. Frankly, I have no desire to be famous. As a matter of a fact, I had to have council from my Pastor to even get me to care about writing songs again. My heart has been and will always be working with local pastors to see their city won for the Kingdom of God. That's the truth. About a month ago, my band had the privilege of playing at a rodeo in Allegan, MI. It was there that we met and went to dinner with Tommy Brandt. Mr. Brandt is the reigning 3 time ICM (Inspirational Country Music) Male vocalist of the year and evangelist of the year. I told him that the evangelist category really intrigued me. He also said that's all that really matters to him. He went on to say, the only reason that it matters to have these awards, recognition and radio playing his songs is because it gives him a bigger more excellent platform to spread the gospel. Anyone of you that call yourselves friends and have spent anytime with me at all, know this to be true for me as well. This meeting also stirred up my band and they all saw the potential to and without sounding egotistic, they made it clear that they felt I should be on those same platforms. I was blessed but clear to them about this one thing. I am NOT trying to go after fame, I did that before and it worked against me. I will not fall prey to those same pitfalls. That being said, I told them the omen thing I have struggled with since returning to the ministry is regaining the creative bug and if we all would agree to move forward in this direction, we would HAVE to begin to write songs and stop with the covers. Well needless to say they agreed and we began to meet every week and wrote some amazing songs. The songs in my opinion were so good, I knew they needed national exposure. I then at that time joined the ICM organization and called them up to ask what it would take to get these songs produced and released. Gene Higgins is the president of the ICM's and it was at this point that favor started working for us. He remembered me from back in the early 90's and he was beyond excited to have me back. He actually stated, "we need you". He began the process of opening doors for us that were beyond belief. However, the bottom line is, it takes what Bishop Pitts calls "front end money". No one works for free! This is where the "Go Fund Me" http://www.gofundme.com/Fund-3-songs campaign comes into play. My plan is to have the songs cut, mixed and produced in Nashville with the best musicians in the world and to do it with excellence. I have an incredible opportunity to work with one of the greatest Christan producers in Nashville. I then plan on releasing these songs to radio stations across the U.S. Lastly, in November we will be attending the Inspirational Country Music conference. This is a huge step for us to go to a national level. I don't believe in begging and I don't believe in trying to do a hard sale. However, if you believe in our ministry and believe that God is in what we are doing and that He will use us to see people saved and cities won for the kingdom of God, please consider sowing into this project. If you don't feel that way or even have that connection to us, that's OK. I am not upset. There are allot of amazing ministries out there doing incredible work. They also need your love and support. I get that. I am just asking you because we are connected and you have shown us such love and support in the past.  I went to Bishop Pitts and straight out asked him, "do you think this is a wise direction for me at this time and is it wise to ask people to help?" It was a resounding YES! Because he believes in what God has called us to do and believes the larger the platform the more people can be reached. That's all that matters to ME! If all of my friends and family could help with even $5, it would be greatly appreciated and go along way. I won't forget it! Love y'all #letsgo  Goto the Campaign