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10 Questions with ... Kari Jobe
February 13, 2017
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1. Brief history....birthplace, childhood, schools, jobs, current hometown?
I was born in Waco, TX but only lived there for three weeks. I grew up in the mid-cities area in Dallas, TX. I went to three colleges, Oral Roberts University, Christ For The Nations and Dallas Baptist University. I worked for seven years as a Sonic carhop. Toward the latter part of that job, I would take off to go and sing at events on the road.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
Haha. It's always different. Now that I have a baby, my day looks different every day. THIS WEEK... I have been getting up and playing with my son until his nap time, then I work out, get ready for the day and sit down at my computer to work for a few hours. It's a new album release time so I have to set aside 3-4 hours a day to just answer emails, interviews, etc.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
"I Won't Forget" by Brian and Jenn Johnson. "I won't forget the price you paid, though death was mine, you took my place. I won't forget the sacrifice, for to this love I owe my life. Jesus, O the wonder of Your name. Jesus, I'm forever changed. You came in the night and tore down the walls, held my broken heart. When all I could see lay ruined and scarred, your light shattered the dark."
I love songs like this that help you pray things to God that you may not have been able to find the words for. But to be reminded that everything we face we have a savior that defeated hell and darkness so we can walk in freedom and joy. I also love the strings and production on the song as well!
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
Well, we are entering into a busy travel season. We have a 6-week tour where we'll be away from home. One of the things that help us is having our own family bus. It allows me to make it feel like home. I get up and play with my baby and can cook and make food for us. I try to make it feel like a bit of home with my own decor, bedding and pillows. It's an honor and dream to travel and do music so I try not to complain on hard days and just do something to get out of the bus and get fresh air. Doing music and leading people in worship is so much fun!
5. What Artist or Pastor has had the greatest impact on you?
So many. I feel so blessed to have a lot of incredible pastors and leaders who pour into me. I am constantly on podcasts listening to my Pastors Henry and Alex Seeley. And I listen to Pastor Robert Morris, Steven Furtick, Christine Caine and Jeremy Foster a lot too!
6. What's the last book you read?
I haven't read anything in a long time because of having a baby! I read baby bed time books now!! Ha
7. Tell us about your latest project, "The Garden"
The title track, "The Garden," is truly one of the most intimate songs I've ever written. It's a song that captures the raw emotion of truth. Truth of pain and sorrow that feels like it could swallow you up and suffocate you.
There are moments we experience in life that knock the wind out of us and cause us to question exactly what God is up to. God used a garden in my back yard to help me remember that He is always at work to turn EXTREMELY difficult situations into beauty.
Everything we do in this life, on this side of heaven, is kingdom oriented. There will always be pruning, planting, watering and growth. Different seasons have different experiences- but God is ALWAYS up to something beautiful.
I want to honor my sister today and all who have lost little sweet angels in your life. Oh the pain that it is. Maybe you didn't lose a child but you've experienced something that was extremely hard to walk through.
Questions rise up at times that cause us to cry out to the Lord for answers. In all the searching and surrendering there is life and the very presence of almighty God that comes rushing in to heal.
I pray that as you listen to the Garden, the song and the whole album, you'll feel the incredible peace of God and hear His voice speaking words of truth, life and healing to deep places of your soul.
You are going to be ok... hold on, life is growing around you, but it might take your spiritual eyes to see it.
8. What organization/service group are you affiliated with?
I am affiliated with several different ones, actually! Different tours we have different groups come out. I am passionate about helping those who need it. God says to take care of the poor, widows and orphans. I have also been involved with A21 campaign since its beginning and I'm passionate about children being freed and protected from Human Trafficking in whatever way we can help.
9. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead...Deities are excused from this question.
The President of the United States. I would count it an honor to ever meet the person in the highest seat of leadership in our country, to just tell them I'm praying for them to have God's wisdom and strength to lead well.
10. Favorite Bible Verse.... life verse?
Right now it's Ephesians 5:25-27 where Jesus is talking about loving the church. How He desires to return for a pure and spotless bride. As a songwriter it's powerful to write and sing songs as believers that declare our desire for Him to purify us "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish".
I love the presence of God and because of the price Jesus paid on the cross and the veil at the temple being torn in two pieces, we have access to His presence. But it's not to be taken for granted. God desires holiness and purity. He is a holy God. And Jesus death on the cross broke the power of sin so we have access to His presence. So powerful!
Bonus Questions
1. How & when did you become a believer?
I was five and my mom and dad got to pray with me to receive Jesus as my personal Savior!
2. What's the biggest "God moment" you've ever experienced? Personally or professionally, when has God shown up in a powerful way?
This kind of question always feels hard because I truly feel like a live a very spiritually aware life. I feel like I experience sweet moments of God speaking to me or showing me things a lot. This whole album experience has been really special and I've watched God already breathe fresh life and healing over my family after walking through a traumatic experience. God is always kind and in due time turn ashes into beauty.
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