The path to ministry has been a winding road for Christian musician Jordan Feliz.
“I grew up in the Church but I didn’t really understand my walk with Christ until I was in high school,” Feliz said. “I started writing songs my freshman year when I picked up the guitar and taught myself how to play. Through songwriting I had this amazing moment of feeling like God was calling me to sing and write music for the Church.”
Although Feliz initially began his music career in a mainstream rock band he remained faithful to his calling to reach people for Christ.
“My senior year of high school my friends and I started a heavy metal band with the purpose of being a light in the darkness,” Feliz said. “We really wanted to go out and introduce people to Jesus. In that band I kept the same desire that is still in my heart today — to go out and love people.”
While this genre provided Feliz with a unique platform and opportunities to share his faith, he soon realized the Lord was directing him another way.
“When the band broke up, God pushed me into a different direction when a worship pastor in my hometown reached out to me and invited me to lead worship,” Feliz said. “It was during this time that I really fell in love with leading worship.”
Stepping out in faith
“After a couple of months I got a phone call from a friend in Nashville who is now my manager. He said that he really felt God placing on his heart for me to start focusing on writing songs and moving there.
“During that prayerful time of seeking God’s will I really felt like God was opening this door to pursue music in Nashville.”
As Feliz desired to use his musical talents for God’s glory he stepped out in faith and walked through the doors that continued to open.
Not long after Feliz and his wife moved to Nashville he signed a record deal with Centricity Music and released his debut album, “Beloved,” which captured the attention of audiences across the country with heart-stirring lyrics.
“The title track on the album was written specifically for my daughter,” Feliz explained. “When my wife was pregnant I was sitting in a room with two other fathers and we were discussing what this world would tell our daughters. It was a compiled list that kept growing of negative things.”
Our Father’s love
“As I was thinking about all these things it inspired me to write a song letting my daughter know that she is not only loved by her parents but by the Savior of the world more than anything. Now being a father myself I’ve gained a whole new perspective on God’s love for His children, His beloved. The song has taken new shape knowing the depths of the Father’s love.”
While making an impressive entrance into the Christian music industry, his first single, “The River,” quickly raced up the charts and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian radio chart. In addition the lyric video for the song also has garnered a tremendous response with more than 300,000 views on YouTube.
As Feliz performs concerts around the country he is greatly moved by the testimonies of God at work through these songs and reminded of the winding path that led him to where he is today. Feliz is currently on the “Beautiful Offerings Tour” with Big Daddy Weave.
“My prayer before I go on stage is, ‘Lord, let these people be focused on only You through these words,’” Feliz said. “Ultimately the ability for that to happen through a song that’s written is incredible and so powerful — knowing that these songs can prove to people that Jesus can heal the brokenhearted and that He is the answer for those who are struggling and searching.
“More than anything I want people to know that they are loved by the Savior of the world. I want people to know that everything in life and the void in our hearts can only be satisfied by Jesus.
“It’s an incredible thing to encourage each other along life’s journey, being broken together and worshipping God together. I’ve heard from people going through a lot of pain and loss and I’m reminded that these songs are a lot bigger than me.”
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