Dave Pettigrew
Feb 15, 2018
Dave Pettigrew, the Indieheaven award-winning artist and founder of the “There is Hope Movement,” has recently released "Love Is Here," the lead single from his upcoming album “Faith & Gasoline,” produced by Scotty Wilbanks, ASCAP and Dove Award-winning artist and Third Day keyboardist.
“‘Love is Here’ speaks about the never-ending love of Jesus for us, how His love works in our lives, how it breathes life into us and how it restores us," says Pettigrew.
Pettigrew and his family have experienced this love over the past year, following the death of his 27-year-old nephew, Ryan, due to a drug overdose on Good Friday in 2017.
“We've had so many people reach out to us, comfort us and walk with us. It's been amazing to have friends and people in our churches holding us the way that Jesus holds us, being the love of Jesus and claiming love is here in our lives,” said Pettigrew.
Pettigrew says 2018 is the right time to release this song, to share our story, to let people know the love of Jesus is unpredictable, neverending and always for us. His love literally does conquer all.
On tour, Pettigrew and his band share hope with and offer help to those struggling with substance abuse and with their family members.
“We are told addiction is a character flaw, and we are told addiction is a deficiency,” says Pettigrew. “Individuals suffering from substance use disorder are no longer unrelatable strangers, they are our neighbors, our friends and our family members.”
“Each time I’m able to share Ryan’s story on stage is a night that allows people to confront their addictions. Hearts are moved, hearts are changed and lives are changed. People succumb to the fact that they need help, and we’re the first line of communication in getting them the help they need.”
Through the There is Hope Movement, Pettigrew and his band have partnered with Teen Challenge and New England-based churches with substance abuse recovery programs.
“We don’t want to send someone to an organization," says Pettigrew. "We send those who need help to a real person within Teen Challenge or partner churches who can provide the help and healing immediately. Through the release of 'Love is Here,' we want to reach more people with the message of hope that has taken over our ministry.”
Pettigrew and his band has recently toured with Paul Baloche, Kutless, Love & the Outcome, the JJ Weeks Band and Brandon Heath.
“Dave, with that voice, could make anything sound good, but ‘Love Is Here’ actually says something. We need him,” says Heath.