Singer/songwriter Micah Tyler challenges audiences to be different, set apart for Christ

Singer/songwriter Micah Tyler challenges audiences to be different, set apart for Christ

In the midst of a difficult season filled with personal trials and storms, singer/songwriter Micah Tyler clings to Christ as his anchor and shares his struggles during concerts as a testimony of God’s sustaining power.

“A few months ago, we found out that my grandmother has blood cancer,” Tyler shared. “As hard as it’s been to watch her lose her hair as she takes her treatments, her faith has remained intact. A few weeks later, Hurricane Harvey came for my hometown. In two days, 44 inches of rain poured on my house. As we’re in the process of replacing the flooring and re-leveling our foundation, we keep waiting on things to get back to normal.

“Then, just a few weeks ago, we found out that my little brother, Daniel, has stage 4 colon cancer. After the shock and the tears, my family is preparing to fight by his side as he gets ready to start chemo. In the midst of all this, the prayer that I kept praying was, ‘Jesus, can you just change these things? Can you stop the cancer? Can you stop the storms?’ But He’s chosen not to stop these things just yet.”

Comfort and strength

Tyler hopes the message behind his music will resonate with audiences and draw them closer to Christ for comfort and strength. With the songs on his new album, “Different,” Tyler emphasizes the theme of Romans 12:1–2 and encourages people to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord so that others may see a difference.

The title track is currently in the top 20 on the National Christian Audience Chart, with over 60 radio stations featuring the song.

“I wrote the song ‘Different’ a few years ago, but I feel like the Lord is teaching it to me in a whole new way right now,” Tyler noted. “I’m finding out that sometimes the best question is not, ‘Jesus, can you change these things around me?’ but rather, ‘God, can you change me so that I can handle the things that you’re walking me through?’ So I keep singing and praying and believing the words of ‘Different’ because I know that He is changing me.

“That’s making all the difference. I want my life to look different because of the difference Jesus has made. I’m ultimately learning to embrace who God has called and created me to be.”

Tyler surrendered his life to the Lord at a young age and was involved in various ministries. He went on to serve in youth ministry for 10 years before sensing the Lord was leading him into an itinerant music ministry.

“I accepted Jesus as Savior when I was 10 years old at a Vacation Bible School,” Tyler said. “I actually don’t have a strong musical background. No one in my family sings or plays an instrument, aside from an aunt who plays a little piano. I started singing in our little children’s choir, and I played baritone in my junior high band in 7th grade.

“By the time I got to high school, my real passion was youth ministry and I surrendered to that calling just before my junior year. I became a youth pastor right out of high school at a little church in my hometown.

“When I first started serving in student ministry, the youth group needed some music on Wednesday nights. I learned how to play guitar so I could lead with a few students. I served in student ministry for nine years at two churches. In 2011 the church where I had been serving for six years sent me out as a ‘music missionary’ after I sensed God calling me to step out into this new, exciting and unknown adventure.”

‘Southern soul’

While influencing audiences with a musical style that he describes as “Southern soul,” he is earning a reputation for heart-felt lyrics and solid melodies in his original songs. His satirical music video, “Gotta Love Millennials,” has garnered more than 65 million views and helped him gain national attention.

With a passion to creatively communicate the gospel through songs, Tyler stays focused on his mission and message as he performs concerts around country. Tyler is currently on the “Set Free Tour” with Big Daddy Weave and We Are Messengers.

Whatever the venue, his goal remains the same: to share the gospel through music.

“Anytime I get to share Christ with someone, one on one, is the most special experience for me,” Tyler said. “I love being a storyteller from a stage platform and watching people connect to the message behind the music is what motivates me to keep pressing on toward the goal.”