E-Blessings.Org Interviews Jeremy Ledgewood

Email * info@jeremyledgewood.com

Tell us a little about yourself. What made you get into the music business? Who were your inspirations?

I pursuing recording a secular album. I'd written a few songs and been in the studio a few times. After I turned my life over to the Lord the songs just poured out. I couldn't stop writing. Everytime I'd turn around another song was born.got my first guitar when I was 15 and taught myself to play. About a year before I accepted Christ I had started

I'd met a guy named Chris Booher, who renewed my love of music. After knowing him and his family, I came to see Christ through them. The day I gave my life and music to the Lord, I called Chris and told him. He was over joyed and began to help in ways I could never imagine when it came to getting my EP completed. He was a blessing when it came to the music and Jesus becoming one.

Some of my musical influences include Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Jeremy Camp, Need to Breathe, Life House, the David Crowder Band and Casting Crowns.

Describe your music to our readers. What do you bring different to the table? What kind of feedback have you had thus far? What have been some of your challenges?

Here recently the Lord has brought about calling the music: "Music with a Testimony, Ministry and Mission". The music as a whole on the CD describes where I was before Christ, my first steps with Him and a future left to grow. I think they are songs that aren't just pertaining to me and my walk- everyone can relate, no matter where they are with their relationship with God. It's a rock style packed with lyrics that have a message tangled inside.

I think one thing that sets the music apart is my testimony. I can't help but have that be a big influence on my music and my performances; it comes up constatly. I'm still amazed that God is using a sinner like me to further His Kingdom. We deserve death. I look back and there are times I should have died with what I did to myself. But, He kept me here and pulled me out a pit that I could have never gotten out of on my own. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice and I am eternally grateful for that. I think that's why so many can relate. Whether we came to Christ young or old it doesn't matter. We all face trials, we all feel at times we are apart from God, but the one consistant thing is that He is always there to deliver us when we'll let Him. He is always there to forgive, whipe the slate clean and love us right where we are.

Overall the feedback I've recieved from fans is positive. I've been very blessed to find that the majority of those who listen to the music, no matter their age, enjoy the songs. I can't really take credit for writing them, it's all come through God's hands. I've just been happy to be entrusted with these talents and glad to be a useful tool. (Continued on next page)

What is your favorite bible verse? book? etc..and why?

It's hard for me to say that I consistantly have a FAVORITE verse. The Lord brings me to what I need, when I need it. A few months ago I would have said Isaiah 6:1-8. But the last month and a half He's brought me to Psalm 46:10-11. God's Word reads: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."After my album was completed and printed, we started preparing for another stage in the music ministry; one in the promotional aspect. Just when things were getting ready to get off the ground, my wife and I lost another child to miscarriage and after she had some complications that followed. The Lord brought me to these verses and He has continued to whisper them in my ear over and over and over. As a result I wrote my first 'worship' type song. I find myself singing this song all the time because these verses are wapped all around it. He just keeps telling me to "Be still, and KNOW that I am GOD!" He's got this. I just need to be still and really KNOW that.

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Challenges come with all pursuits in life. This one has tested a new found faith in many ways. However, I have grown as a result. God broke me, I hit my knees and told Him the music was His. From day one, He said 'Follow Me'. That's what we've done. The last year and a half has been one of CONSTANT surrender and prayer in many aspects. I could talk for days on the ways God has brought just what we needed, whether it be a musician, financial backing, or anything else, right when we needed it. We have felt at times we were walking through a desert. He has used that to show us this is all from His hands and not our own. We have faced things that we know is a direct result of God refining us and Satan attacking. From car accidents, to random checks in the mail to the loss of another child to miscarriage. Either way, we have affirmation in the midst of everything that this is all His and not our own.

What upcoming projects to you have that readers should know about (if any)?

Right now there are many up and coming promotional and concert dates. One thing most notable at this moment is that my single 'Pint Size Jesus' has been picked up by the 'Songs for Hope' project. The project will be sold to raise money benefitting the Hope Haven Children's Shelter in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Concert date will be mid-summer for this project.

What kind of support have you received? If you needed help with anything, what would it be?

Support has come in many forms. Whether it's through financial backing, musicians playing for 'the cause', prayer from numerous people, my home church, encouragement, word of mouth from people talking about the music and ministry because they believe in it, the team behind this all... the list goes on and on. No one thing means more than the other and is all necessary for this to function. Out of my flesh I could list things that I think I need. But God has shown me time and time again that He knows what I need, when I need it and He provides it. However, prayer comes to mind. This whole ministry is carried by prayer. We NEED it to be COVERED in prayer. We want this to be in God's hands at all times. If we don't know why something is happening, I just ask that instead of us trying to make this ours, God keeps it in His timing and His will- NO MATTER WHAT! Word of mouth also comes to mind. If the music, my testimony, the foundation I support through the ministry (the India Agape Movement), videos on the site, whatever... if it touches you- I just ask that you tell a friend. Maybe that friend will tell a friend and so on. I see this all like a rock thrown in a pond. Whether we see a direct result or a ripple that touches someone we will never meet, I just want people to know the power of Jesus Christ. He changes people's hearts, He makes us whole, He can and will deliver you from whatever we are in. You just have to ask Him, seek Him and want Him to.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I know the Lord has called me into this music ministry for right now and I know the Lord has called me to provide for my family. I don't know how or when or where but I know, eventually, I'll be in ministry full time. God says to worry about today because today has enough worries of it's own. I know He's leading, so I follow. I know I'll look back someday and know without a doubt it was all from His hands. The details of what will happen from point 'A' to point 'B' are unclear.