Covenant31:
We want our music to be encouraging, convicting, and showing
the majesty of the One True God. Our lyrics will always give
The Word, which is the only way man can be saved. "We
are not ashamed of the Gospel which is the power of God to
salvation!" We will share the gospel in love at every
concert. We also know our lives need to share the gospel living
through us in our actions. We want our concerts to be personal,
and real. We want people to see what a Powerful, Forgiving
God we have. As we share our testimonies we want people to
know that God has a purpose for their lives, he has given each
of us a gift. It is time to go fishing for men with the comfort
God had comforted us with. We have an Unbelievable Grace to
share!
Our Story: Patrick and Heather Eddolls
Patrick:
I was raised in a catholic home; in a catholic school most of
my life in San Diego, California. I never thought in my wildest
dreams I would be leading worship in a Church or Leading a Christian
Band preaching the Gospel of Jesus. Being shy and quiet by nature
I hate being the center of attention. But I realize this is a
calling from God that I am so passionate about, that I can’t
stop pursuing God through music. I can’t see myself doing
anything else; this is what excites me, giving God Glory! It
is amazing to see where I am weak, He is strong. That He would
use a wretch like me! Jesus continues to give me all I need to
lead, and I find it is not me leading but the Spirit taking over,
giving me all I need to say.
I started playing the guitar when I was 16. I learned all the
songs from the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and CCR, and many more.
Not long after that I starting hanging around the wrong people.
I was drinking, doing drugs, hanging around drug dealers, and
living an immoral life. I had done it all. I remember meeting
Heather, (now my wife) at a party. She loved to sing harmonies,
and caught on very quickly to the songs. We were soon drug buddies,
living together in sin, and neither of us could keep a job because
of our drug use. So we made our money singing in the local bars,
or going down town singing and asking for tips. To write out
all the bad things I did would take a book. It was a life of
complete and total depravity, leading us towards death and destruction.
Heather:
I was not going to get married or have children. My plan was
to be a career woman, start my own business, and become successful.
I was raised in a home where I was saved 5000+ times, everywhere
I went they had me reading the prayer. I was never taught about
my sin or why I needed a savior, I thought I was a pretty good
kid. I knew all the stories, I went to church, and church camp,
but I didn't’t know Jesus. I mean I DID NOT KNOW Jesus! My
childhood years were hard, my dad was very abusive, and he shoved
Jesus down my throat until I hated him. I remember saying- “If
God is that way, then I would rather go to hell then be with
him.” In my teenage years I started drinking, doing drugs,
and hanging around with Pat. I was miserable, but I was trapped
in the escape that drugs offered.
We can look back and see God working… even while we were
yet sinners...
Many people I knew would approach me from church and talk to
me about my lifestyle, and tell me they were praying for me.
Even though I was on drugs many of the times, I would ponder
things later for hours. Don’t underestimate what God is
doing in the life of sinners. Don’t give up on people!
One night, in the middle of a tragic sin, I cried out to Jesus.
I told him what trash I was, how worthless I was. I begged him
to save me from my sin and myself. Starting that night I would
never be the same again. Such love, forgiveness, and peace came
over me. My body felt warmth, like a washing and healing. I started
feeling convictions; I didn't want to live the same way,
so I left Pat.
Something happened, a catalyst, that would
change our lives forever…
I found out I was pregnant. For some reason I felt the need to
get back into Church. I remember taking Pat for a walk and giving
him an ultimatum. “I am done doing drugs! I will not have
that around me! If you want to be with me you will get a job,
and you will go to Church with me every Sunday!” Pat agreed,
and he stuck to his word and August 26th 1994 we were married
at age 18.
Patrick:
I remember going to Church and hating the sermons! I remember
us saying to Heather’s mother, “Why are you telling
the pastor about our lives!” She told us, “I didn't
tell him anything!” Today I realize it was the Holy Spirit
driving home the truth into our hearts. Even though I hated Church
for weeks we kept going, and soon my heart was changed, and I
remember being broken over my sin against a holy God, and crying
out for mercy! We both felt called to get baptized, because it
was time to show the world we were not ashamed of God and what
he had saved us from. I remember Heather being very pregnant
with Ashley; it was amazing to share our testimonies with our
little Church who loved us right where we were.
Heather:
Things were not bliss in our marriage, especially the first 5
years, we struggled together a lot! The fact we are together
today is a testimony to God’s grace in our lives. Now I
would tell you almost 16 years later we are best friends! We
do everything together. All Glory, honor and praise to the King
of Kings, Jesus our Lord. Today you would not know we were the
same people, and again I cry to think that God would want to
do something beautiful in us. He surely takes the fools and makes
them His treasures! He takes bar singers, and gives them a passion
for singing for Christ!
Patrick:
I am the main songwriter (so far – but Heather is catching
up) of Covenant31 and acoustic guitar player and am a part time
Worship leader at my home Church - Living Faith Christian Center
- located in Prescott Valley. I own and operate a computer repair
business to support my wife and 3 children. I love my home church,
and several good writers like A.W. Tozer, Matthew Henry, Jonathan
Edwards, John Bunyan to name a few (the dead ones) and some contemporary
scholars I love to listen to: Louie Giglio, John Piper, Ravi
Zacharias, Mark Driscoll etc… I love to use these resources
to lead my family in a daily bible study. Jesus must be first,
then my family, then ministry. I MUST consistently stay focused
on Jesus and His word for everything…even to write songs
that will impact people. It is the WORD of GOD that saves and
transforms! Heather:
I am the back-up singer and I sing lead vocals as well. I enjoy reading and
listening to Godly men like Mark Driscoll, I love John Piper, and I would
have to say my favorite author is A.W. Tozer. I am half way through Jonathan
Edward’s book, THE RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS, but it is a very hard read
I must admit. I am reading Tozers book on, THE PURSUIT OF GOD at the moment
and LOVING it! Most importantly, I just love Jesus, I love his word and how
it is alive and it speaks to us, and the more I know Him the more addicting
Jesus is to me. Oh how he loves me, Oh how he loves us! What manner of love
is this, that we should be called sons of God? I understand now what it means
to pant for someone!” I know we are called to this ministry because…Jesus
spoke to me one night at 3:00am and told me.
“Heather, listen, I want you to be my Mary Magdalene,
and I want you not to be ashamed, no matter who is around you, wash my feet
with your hair, use
your finest perfume and your tears and Worship me.”
I want all I do to be an abandonment to Jesus!
|