On his fourth day without coffee, David Burtt is too busy to notice any symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.
It’s Thursday, Dec. 1, just a few days since Burtt and the Celebration Choir at First Baptist Church of Dover have performed at Christmas Lane’s live nativity. Even so, the 26-year-old pastor is already preparing for his next event: the church’s annual Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 11.
“We use music as a platform to present the Gospel,” Burtt said. “I love Jesus and I love to sing.”
It was those two loves — ones Burtt describes as guttural feelings — that led him to his new church family.
Made to Worship
Though his father is a pastor, Burtt’s call to join the ministry didn’t come until later in life.
Burtt was studying classical voice as a tenor at the University of South Alabama when he made the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, a choice he made after watching his best friend graduate at the top of his class.
“We were in the same unit,” Burtt said. “We got to work across the hall from each other.”
The new career path came with sacrifices. Burtt lost his voice during boot camp, along with his ability to hit the high notes.
“When I felt the calling to go into the Marine Corps, I never thought I would use music again,” he said. “It hit me really hard that I lost my voice, my favorite attribute.”
With the loss of his voice, Burtt lost sight of his other love.
“For about a year and a half, I didn’t go to church,” he said. “I didn’t live for God, for sure.”
After a stint of active duty, Burtt returned home to Alabama. His mother sat him down.
What do you want to do?
The answer was easy, as though no time had passed at all.
Jesus.
Music.
I Will Sing
The University of Mobile was down the road from where Burtt lived in Alabama. Until making the decision to pursue music and worship as a career, he had never considered attending the university.
“It has the largest music program in Alabama,” Burtt said.
The school also is home to Voices of Mobile, a praise group that travels around the nation performing at churches and other venues.
Burtt wanted in. During his first year at the University of Mobile, he slowly worked on getting his voice back. He tried hitting the high notes, to no avail.
But he could hit the low notes. And Voices of Mobile only had opening – for a bassist. Burtt decided to give it a shot.
“I was worried,” he said. “But I just felt that God was calling me to at least try out.”
He made the cut and spent the rest of his time at the University of Mobile traveling with the group, performing at churches across America. He was serving as the group’s road manager during a performance at First Baptist Church of Brandon.
“I got along with the church’s music minister,” Burtt said. “He said, ‘Aren’t you looking for a job? I’ve got a friend who’s a pastor and they’re looking for somebody.”
With his résumé in hand, Burtt jumped in the car and headed down the road to Dover.
“I came down here and did not want to leave,” he said.
Months later, he’s focused on growing the church’s music programs through praise and worship.
“We are really praying for an orchestra,” Burtt said. “We want to fill the right side of the stage with instruments. I’ve got a classical background and a 70-person choir. We’ve got room for it. This time next year, I want to have live music for everything we do.”
For Burtt, music ties into everything that has to do with worship.
“There’s just something about worshipping the Lord through music that transcends all languages,” he said. “Worship is our response to a great God. Music and worship are two of the most primal instincts of humanity. We were created to worship. Music is just a platform expressing that when words can’t.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.