Election season in Washington, D.C.

Hello everyone!

It’s such an honor and joy to be able to write to you from Washington, D.C., the epicenter of so much of what is happening in America. For some of you this may be the first email update you’re getting from me. If you would like to learn more about the ministry I work with (David’s Tent DC), please check out davidstentdc.org. If you would like to learn more about my life and my ministry, I would love to connect with you more via video chat or a phone call. You may also read my personal blog here: nuttleyjesusfreak.blogspot.com

David’s Tent DC hosts 24/7/365 praise and worship in a public tent right on the National Mall in our Capital. Since it’s public, it’s not only 24/7 vertical praise to God, but also 24/7 horizontal outreach to people. We're always saying, "Come experience a personal relationship with Jesus!!!" How cool is it that every second of every single day there is an unceasing song of joy and victory arising from America’s Capitol?!? I’m so very thankful that we have a company of believers who are saying, “God we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!” And I’m very thankful that I’ve been able to be a part of the song. I get to lead worship and prayer at the tent almost every single day and am able to help in a number of ways to keep the song of praise and worship fiery for The Lord!!!

Your prayers and financial partnership continue to bless me constantly. Every time someone says they’re praying for me I feel strengthened, empowered and emboldened to keep doing what The Lord has called me to. I definitely can feel the impact of so many people praying for me. Every time someone partners with me financially I not only feel the provision of The Father, but I feel His affirmation as well as He confirms to me yet again that I’m called here to DC for such a time as this.

Speaking of such a time like this...

As you all know, the election process, combined with racial tension, Covid-19 and other things has made life in America more difficult lately. As I write this, Biden seems to have won the election and President Trump has stated that he’ll be pushing back on the alleged results. The elections seem to be a microcosm of what’s happening in America right now. There are a lot of people contending for their voices to be heard in hopes that their side will win and be able to shape our country the way that they want.

In America, people are so hungry for hope in the midst of the storm. That’s why I’m so thankful that about halfway between the White House and the Supreme Court there is David’s Tent. Day and night people are always welcome to come to David’s Tent to lift their gaze to Heaven and put their hope in the Only One that is unmovable and unshakable. We believe that our prayers really do matter. The God of The Bible answers by fire!!!

There have been many prayer gatherings in DC during the past couple of months. One of those prayer gatherings was a prayer walk led by Franklin Graham (son of the late and great Billy Graham). I got to lead worship at the tent while Graham prayed at the tent. My dad was there to take pictures! Also Michael W. Smith was there... no big deal haha:

Over the past month and a half, part of our response to the circumstances in America has been to gather a company of young adults in DC for a prayer intensive. We called it “Breakthrough 2020,” and it really was a time of BREAKTHROUGH!!! From September 23rd to November 5th we’ve been praying, receiving teaching and doing local ministry together. We’ve been able to pray at many strategic locations around the city which we know is very significant and will shape the course of America’s trajectory. We had 17 visiting fiery young adults here contending for a breakthrough in America. I’m so thankful to have been a part of it!
Here is everyone on the team that stayed through to the end:

Part of what the "Breakthrough" team did was choreograph a dance and perform it all around the city. You can check it out on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/wMUaTUXiWVc

Also, I was able to give an interview right on Black Lives Matter Plaza, the site of numerous ongoing demonstrations and protests. https://www.facebook.com/1084507334/videos/10219863550274219/

One of the significant struggles that we’ve had is with Covid-19. Several of the people in our community have tested positive with the virus. I personally was sick for about a week and tested positive. Thankfully that means I have immunity! However, the process for myself and the whole base has been draining. Even after a few weeks of dealing with Covid we are still having to be on “high alert” to make sure that the virus doesn’t keep spreading among our community. Most of our staff are quarantined at the base, unless they’ve developed immunity like me.

For the rest of this year, David’s Tent staff will refocus on the tent. We’ll be taking a week or two in the midst of quarantine to rest from the prayer intensive. It was intense!

In January, in addition to keeping David’s Tent going 24/7, we will be hosting a Discipleship Training School. It is a foundational training school to equip Christians to live a missional lifestyle where The Lord sends them. I’m hoping to be on the staff team to help lead that school!


I really appreciate your prayers! Here are some things that I would love prayer for:

1. Peace in DC. It’s chaotic here, especially near The White House!
2. My own relationship with The Lord. I’ve been so drawn into a deeper relationship with Him and I really want to prioritize Him more than anything. I know that out of intimacy with God fruitful ministry will be an inevitable overflow
3. Financial provision. I’m definitely stable financially as I seek out financial partnership from people like you and for that I’m very thankful. I always want to grow my support base to save and prepare for the future though!
4. Deeper unity in our staff and at the tent. We want to be a unified ministry. We also want the whole nation to come to DC to worship The Lord!!!

Thank you so much for your interest in my life and ministry, and thank you for partnering with me as I help to steward 24/7 prayer and worship in Washington, D.C.!!! You are a blessing!!! Please let me know if you have any prayers requests or if you would like to connect more via a phone call, video chat or some other form of communication!!!

July 11th Update from Nate

"For such a time as this" I'm in awe at the timing at which God chose to send me back to DC. I really believe that I'm called here to DC for "such a time as this!" It is no secret that many Americans are feeling as though things are out of control. And that is even more evident in Washington DC. As I've ministered in Downtown DC near the White House, I've seen countless protesters wanting several things, including the death of white people and the impeachment of our President. In addition to all of the protests in relation to George Floyd's death, there is also the concern of Covid-19. We need a Savior! Yet in the midst of all of that perceived chaos, there is a place on The National Mall where prayer and worship are ascending to God 24/7!!! That place is called David's Tent DC and I get the privilege of working with that ministry. While the music may pause from time to time because of a lack of singers and musicians, the prayer certainly continues and in that way we are still going 24/7. That gives me such hope! Just like Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV) says: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” In the midst of so much chaos, we're able to come together as the church in our National Capitol and say, "God we look to You! We trust You! Come and help us! We need You God!" We believe that as we pray God is working in the US. Jesus reminds us that we can pray with confidence because God is better than even the best earthly father. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11, ESV) I hope you're encouraged by that fact that day and night, 24/7/365 there is prayer and worship going up from our National Capitol. Surely God will move in our nation because we pray! And I get to be a part of this ministry because of your prayers and financial support. Thank you very much!!! Below is a picture of my fellow staff member Steve praying for the Earth while at David's Tent: This is my fellow staff member Steve praying for the Earth while at David's Tent

We're open to the public, as of July 4th!! Ever since April 1st, David's Tent DC has been closed to the public. We've only been allowed to have 3 staff members at the tent. It has been a little awkward trying to switch shifts while at the tent! It has also been painful knowing that many people were unable to come to David's Tent whenever they wanted because of the lockdown in place from the National Park Service (NPS) due to Covid-19. However, we have now reopened to the public! I'm so thankful for that reality!!! I also believe that it is significant timing from God that July 4th would be the first day that we reopened to the public. On July 4th, as a country, we celebrate the birth of a "new thing" (our country)! In the same way, we are celebrating the "rebirth" of David's Tent as it becomes open to the public once again!!! How cool is that?!? I'm overflowing with joy at the thought of all the people that are going to be able to come to David's Tent and meet with God in a personal and powerful way. Yay!

Coming September 21st... A part of our response to The Lord in "such a time as this" is to call young adults in the US to come to DC for 45 days prayers of concentrated prayer during this critical hour. The dates will be September 21st- November 5th. While we're still praying through many of the details of this, this prayer intensive will include: A call to young adults specifically to join us in prayer in our National Capitol Teaching on prayer, worship and intercession, among many other topics Leaders in the Family of God to come and teach the next generation Please communicate this to anyone and everyone (specifically young adults) that has the heart to seek The Lord in our Capitol this fall!

We need more staff! Hosting 24/7 prayer and worship in our Capitol is no small task. We're constantly contending for breakthrough in our Capitol while the enemies of God put pressure on us to quit constantly. We would so appreciate a fresh influx of staff that have hearts after God!!! Jesus said to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest field (Luke 10:2). Please pray to The Lord of the Harvest to send us more help! We're looking for those that want to live wholeheartedly for Jesus. If you or anyone else is interested in joining David's Tent DC on staff for any amount of time (at least 2 weeks) please email us at: volunteer@davidstentdc.org Thanks for your help!

Prayer requests: Because of where I am and what I'm a part of, I really need prayer support! Please join me in faith-filled prayer for these things: -wisdom and guidance to partner with God for His plans and purpose this fall, specifically in our 45-day prayer intensive. -More laborers to join staff, specifically more singers and musicians -I'm believing God for $2,000/month from financial partners Thank you very much for your continued support!!! P.S. If you are interested in partnering with me financially, please let me know and I will send you all of the information needed!

To read my previous updates, please go to my blog at: http://nuttleyjesusfreak.blogspot.com/

10 years after starting ministry: an Update from Nate

Hello everyone!

If you are reading this, I'm assuming that you have supported me in some way over the years and care about investing in my life! Why else would you be reading this blog?!? lol... I am incredibly thankful for your support in my life and ministry over the years as I’ve tried to follow God’s call on my life. Thank you! In addition to thanking you, I want you to be encouraged by the impact of your support. God used each and every one of you to help me follow The Lord into vocational ministry and I am truly grateful!

I began my journey into full-time vocational ministry back in 2010 right after graduating high school (a trimester early!). On April 10th I joined the missions organization Youth With a Mission (YWAM.org) by becoming a student in their 6 month Discipleship Training School (DTS). DTS is their foundational training school for a life of missions and requirement to become a full-time long term staff member with YWAM. As a young 18 year old I was as passionate as ever to know God and make God known (the mission statement of YWAM).

Many of you supported me to do my DTS (which included a 3 month outreach to Thailand and Cambodia). Right after DTS I joined YWAM staff. As a new staff member I spent 4 solid months raising support full time. God provided me (through many you!) with an average of $1,500/month for my first 2 years on staff. During my first stretch on staff with YWAM, I worked with them from April 2010 until December 2013. After my DTS and outreach to Thailand and Cambodia, I went to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, the Philippines and ended up in Washington, D.C. Wow! This is me leading worship in Haiti, right outside the Presidential Palace in their Capital (they were so hungry to experience the love of God!):

Because of your support, I was able to preach The Gospel, pray for the sick, teach The Bible and teach others to teach it, lead worship and prayer in churches and on the streets, and love those that needed love. Because of your support I was able to know God and make God known through my ministry with YWAM. Over the years I’ve seen a multitude of people come to know Jesus for the first time, get healed emotionally and physically and see their lives totally transformed. Thank you again for your support!

Towards the end of my first stretch with YWAM, I was in Washington DC from June - December 2013. At that time the YWAM base was running a little prayer room in a church where we prayed (mostly for America) 24/7. We would each take turns to pray for 2 hours. Then, in the fall of that year we hosted an event called David’s Tent DC (more on David’s Tent below; also check out davidstentdc.org). At that point it was still an annual event (as it had been 2012-2014). I also went back on staff with YWAM DC and David’s Tent in the summer of 2016 and summer of 2017 after it had become a year-long event.

I’ve also been connected with the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOPKC.org) in these last few years. IHOPKC primarily hosts a prayer room with live praise and worship 24/7 and trains others to lead sustainable prayer and worship. I spent two years at their worship school and regularly led corporate prayer for David’s Tent DC. While I was in their music and worship school, I gained a solid grasp of music theory, how to sing, lead worship and how to lead prayer meetings that are sustainable 24/7/365. This season of training has prepared me to move into this next season of leading worship and raising up other worship leaders to do the same.

Another significant thing that happened was that I helped organize an event on Appalachian State University in North Carolina called The Tent (I like to keep names simple!). We had 5 days of public praise and worship in a tent right in the middle of that campus. We had a few hundred students (and others) stop into the tent to worship and pray. Many unbelievers came just to watch. It was an amazing experience as we shared Jesus with a secular state university. It helped give me a vision for what God wants to do at college campuses all across America and The Earth and how God wants me to be a part of it. This is me leading worship at The Tent.

For the next chapter in my life...

I have decided to go back on staff with YWAM DC and David’s Tent again! My parents (and everyone else in my life) are fully supportive, and I am elated! Ever since I stepped down from staff in the summer of 2017 I’ve wanted to go back and now is the time! I’m currently living in Kansas City, Missouri and will leave here on Sunday May 31st and drive to get to DC June 1st (technically I’ll live right outside DC in Fort Washington, Maryland).

The reason I stepped down from staffing YWAM and David’s Tent in August 2017 was that I had some serious health issues. It has been an incredibly difficult chapter of my life. I have struggled with numerous negative emotions and difficult circumstances. I started seeing a counselor in August 2018. However, through all of the pain and sorrow, God never gave up on me! My amazing parents (David and Cindy Uttley) never gave up on me! The call of God never let me go! Even though I have spent the last few years trying to pursue a different education and vocation, ever since August 2017 I have felt God gently and persistently calling me back to YWAM DC and their ministry of David’s Tent. And now it’s happening!

During my time with YWAM and IHOPKC, I was empowered to grow my roots deep in my relationship with God. Because of these years of training, and the grace of God, I have had the perspective and strength to cling to Him and not give up in the midst of great difficulty. I am so thankful for the foundation laid during my time with YWAM and IHOPKC.

What is David’s Tent? I’m so glad you asked! In a sentence, David’s Tent DC hosts a public musical praise and worship service in a tent on The National Mall in Washington, D.C. and is 24/7/365. It was an annual event in the fall from 2012-14. Then on September 11th, 2015 it started and hasn’t stopped until April 1st due to Covid-19. That’s 1,664 days where Jesus has been praised every tick of the clock in our Capitol! Though there is currently a brief pause during the lockdown, I believe that the song will resume shortly and Jesus will continue to be exalted through singing in our National Capitol!

The tent is currently about 7 blocks west of the Supreme Court and Capitol Building and 9 blocks east of the White House. It’s right in the middle of the 3 branches of our federal government! As tourists and residents of the DC area walk amidst all of the museums, monuments and memorials, they will see the white tent and be invited to join in the song of praise! One of the previous locations was actually right in front of the Washington Monument, as you can see below.

Another key aspect of David’s Tent is that it is a “congress of worship.” They have made a schedule assigning each state to one week out of the year to send a delegation from their state. Since there are 52 weeks in a year and 50 states it really works out. This is part of what David’s Tent so unique. As state after state comes to DC, it’s a year-round love offering to God!

This ministry of praise and worship is very important to the Lord and for our nation. God inhabits the praises of His people and His power is released on Earth when we join in the unending worship of Heaven. Now more than ever we need that in our Capitol. God has great plans for America and as we enthrone Him on our praises in our Capitol we will be strengthened to be a tremendous blessing to all the nations of The Earth.

One of my favorite things about a praise and worship service moving from inside of a church to onto the street is that through music, they are sharing The Gospel! They are musical missionaries (aka musicianaries). Every biblically inspired worship song is drenched in the truth of The Bible, the character and nature of God and the love of Jesus. So, through music, Washington DC has been hearing the truth of The Bible every tick of the clock! What’s amazing to see is people’s response when they visit the tent and hear love songs to Jesus.

When some people think of “street preaching” they may have a negative image in their mind. But, when The Church shares The Gospel through music, people are way more receptive to hearing it. Even the hardest of hearts are drawn to the warmth of love being shared through song. In addition to hosting a 24/7 vertical “upreach” to God through praise, David’s Tent is simultaneously sharing a horizontal “outreach” to everyone that comes by.

While I was there, my role has always been to administrate the tent, run sound, share The Gospel, pray and intercede, and of course lead worship (as you can see below, sorry it was taken at night). Since the tent operates 24/7, there is always something to be done, whether that be to restock the staff food supply, answer questions about Jesus, pray with people, run sound, lead worship and more!! I also have the skills and experience to teach others music theory, piano, guitar, drums and singing. Most of the time when I was there my schedule was to spend 6 hours at the tent, 6 days a week. That includes leading worship personally for 2 hours most days. This will change slightly because of Covid-19, but I’m confident they will resume the song soon.

Looking back on the last 10 years, I can very clearly see the Hand of God at work. I’ve been moved to tears many times in the past few weeks as I’ve processed my life with Jesus. God is just so good! I’m so thankful to see that the seeds sown in my first years with YWAM are bearing fruit. I’m so thankful that God has never given up on me. I’m so thankful for each and every one of you and all of your support in my life. I’m looking forward to all that God has and being able to take this journey together in the future!

With much thankfulness,

-Nate “Nater” Uttley