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10 Questions with ... Kristin Rader
June 20, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography:
- 2012 I Am Yours
- 2014 Undeniably You
- 2016 Smile
1. Give me a brief history....birthplace, childhood, schools, jobs, current hometown
I was born into a wonderful Christian home. For four generations my family has served in the ministry. Being a pastor's kid we moved constantly. I was born in Dearborn, Michigan. At the age of six, I moved to a small country town called Sumiton, Alabama. Three years later I moved to the picturesque Eugene, Oregon. My teenage years were spent back in Alabama where I now call home. Even though we moved often, I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet so many great people and make some lasting memories. Being in the ministry, my family instilled in me values that I treasure to this day. Showing the love of Christ and compassion for others was embedded into my everyday life. I grew up singing in the church. This is where I found my love for music. After high school, I received a vocal scholarship to Bevill State College, then transferred to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. At Lee University, I pursued a Vocal Degree in Music Education. In college I had the opportunity to travel the world and minister and sing in places such as the Bahamas, Mexico, Ireland, England and Wales. While in college I met the love of my life Eric. I'm so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. After graduation, I began teaching music and also had the privilege of performing with the Chattanooga Symphony Opera. God then orchestrated my path to Nashville to record my first Contemporary Christian Album.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
When I am not on the road, I am a Music Teacher and Vocal Instructor. This calls for a very early wake up time. I usually skip breakfast; I treasure my sleep, and would trade that in for breakfast any day: )! During my drive to work, I love to start my morning off by listening to worship music and spending some quality time with the Lord. After a long day of teaching, my husband and I usually go out to eat. (I'm not a big fan of doing dishes, ha!) Then it's off to the gym. When I come home, Eric and I usually like to spend time together relaxing and catching up on our day. In the evenings, when life has calmed down, I enjoy reading my Bible and praying. Then it's off to bed.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right
"Your Presence is Heaven" by Israel Houghton. This song is a testament that nothing in this world can satisfy my soul like my Savior. It reminds me of His love, mercy and grace that He extends to me everyday. Life has its many struggles, and when I'm hurting and broken, there is nothing greater than resting in the very presence of the Almighty God.
4. How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
Life on the road is very rewarding and is definitely a dream come true. Traveling has always been one of my favorite things to do. I absolutely love getting to meet so many new people and getting to share the love of Christ with them. It's amazing to see new places and experience so many unforgettable moments. I am humbled by the doors that God has opened in my life and in my ministry. Trying to juggle being on the road and teaching music can sometimes be challenging, but both jobs are very rewarding and completely worth it.
5. What's the biggest "God moment" that you've ever experienced, personal or professional?
When I was a teenager, it was prophesied over me the gift of healing. During an alter service, a woman had asked me to pray for her sister. The woman's sister had just recently been diagnosed with cancer and was praying for her healing. After praying together, we received word that her sister had been healed of the cancer! I am so thankful that Jesus took the stripes on His back for our healing. He allowed me to experience this amazing miracle first hand. He is so faithful.
6. What's the last book you read?
"Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo. It is an amazing story of a little boy that died while having emergency surgery. He was later revived and was able to very vividly describe the amazing details of Heaven. It is so inspirational to hear the awesomeness of our eternal home from a child's perspective.
7. Tell me about how you became a believer.
Growing up in a family that was in the ministry, I spent most of my time in church. I'm not sure when I asked God to come into my heart for the first time. I'm pretty sure I continually asked Him every night until I was a teenager lol! (I wanted to make sure He remembered my name and didn't forget to write it down in the Lambs Book of Life haha!: ) I've always had a deep passion for Jesus, music ministry and serving others. There was nothing that was more important to me. I grew up in a musical family and sang my first solo "Awesome God" when I was in elementary school. I've always had a heart to lead others, through music, into the presence of God. I desire to be an instrument that He can use and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
8. Tell us about your latest single, "Smile".
It's kind of taken on a life of it's own. Stations have started to play it in various places across the country. One radio PD heard it, started playing it, told a couple of his friends, and it just kind of grew on it's own. I don't have anyone working the single for me, as I don't have that in the marketing budget. But I'm grateful for the airplay, and looking forward to seeing how far it reaches. One of the radio guys sent me a screen-shot of it playing on his station, and said, "this makes me smile every time I hear it."
9. Favorite cereal, favorite comfort food, favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite cereal is Cap'N Crunch's Crunch Berries. Favorite Comfort Food has to be Mexican Food. Favorite ice cream is by far Chocolate Oreo.
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead?
This would have to be my Dad. He was diagnosed with cancer when I was a teenager and passed away three weeks later. He's missed so many important events in my life. I would love to have just a few minutes to tell him how much I love and miss him, and to share with him the moments that he's missed out on, especially my wedding day. In return, I would love for him to share with me the amazing details of what we have to look forward to when we get to Heaven. I can't wait to spend eternity with my Heavenly Father and Earthly father.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite Bible verse....life verse?
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Through faith in Christ, we as believers, become new creations. We are now a new person, created in the image of God.
2. Funniest or most embarrassing moment?
For a project in sixth grade, I had to make a "Future Outfit" to share with my class. I waited until the night before to even start the project! After pleading with my parents for help, they decided to teach me a lesson. My father told me that this time I would have to do it all by myself. The only thing I could come up with in such a short time frame was to wear a garbage bag and spray paint it yellow! As I'm presenting/wearing my project, yellow spray paint starts crumbling in a puddle all around me. Needless to say, I learned a big lesson! If I ever need to make a "future outfit" again, I will get right on it. Second is to never use yellow spray paint on slick garbage bags! I was humiliated, but it was quite entertaining to the rest of my class. : )
3. If you could go back and change three events/decisions in your life, what would they be, and why?
To not worry so much. To trust God, and take life as it comes.
There's times that being timid, has caused me to miss opportunity's to share Christ with someone. I pray that I will always walk in courage and never let one of those moments pass me by ever again.
To vacation more and eat more sweets!! : )
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