Jordan G. Welch on Faith, Engineering, and Viral Worship Music

From Engineering to Worship Music

• 💡 Jordan G. Welch, a Stellar Award-nominated singer and songwriter, shares her journey from a 14-year career as a chemical engineer to a full-time music ministry.
• 🧠 She initially pursued chemical engineering to follow in her father's footsteps, balancing her love for math and science with her passion for music.
• 🚀 A pivotal moment came when she realized she had to choose between her stable engineering career and her calling in music, leading her to take a sabbatical.

Viral Success and Faith

• 🌟 Welch's cover of "Open the Eyes of My Heart" unexpectedly went viral, garnering over 10 million video views and 11 million audio streams.
• ⚠️ She describes waking up to the clip being posted without her knowledge and being overwhelmed by the notifications and the song's impact.
• 🙏 Her prayer during this viral moment was to keep her focus on God, acknowledging that praise and accolades are not meant for humans to keep but to direct back to Him.
• 💬 The song's impact extended to profound testimonies of people finding hope and returning to faith after hearing it.

The 'One' Live Recording Experience

• 🎶 Welch led worship for over 20 years, noticing how worship was often confined by time and genre.
• 🎯 Her live album, "One," was intentionally designed not as a live recording about worship, but as a night of worship that was recorded.
• ✨ The focus was on creating a space filled with people hungry for God, leading to an unscripted moment where the room spontaneously harmonized, an experience she described as angelic.

Stellar Awards and Mentorship

• 🏆 Attending her first Stellar Awards for her album "One" was a surreal and shocking experience, especially as an independent artist.
• 🤝 She recounts a deeply meaningful encounter with CeCe Winans, whom she had prayed to meet, highlighting the divine orchestration of the moment.
• 💬 Winans recognized Welch and offered words of encouragement, which Welch considered the highlight of her Stellar Awards experience.

Advice for Young Artists

• 🌱 Welch advises her younger self to keep going, emphasizing that her engineering background provided a strong foundation for her music career, teaching her patience and business acumen.
• 💡 She believes that not being afraid to explore different passions, like science, ultimately shapes a stronger process and outlook for her current calling.
• 🌟 She stresses the importance of learning from diverse experiences, including leadership and people management, which are crucial for navigating the music industry independently.