We are honored to feature the inspiring Jordan G. Welch in this exclusive interview. A woman of faith, resilience, and purpose, Jordan’s journey is a testament to the power of unwavering belief and perseverance. From overcoming challenges to embracing her calling in the gospel industry, she continues to inspire many with her story.
1. Jordan,did you grow up in a musical family, or did your passion for Gospel music develop later in life?
Yes – my entire immediate family sings and some of us play instruments as well. With my parents being heavily involved in music and exposing us to different genres, I’ve grown to have a passion for music as a whole, not just Gospel.
2. What was the defining moment when you knew God was calling you to use your gift in Gospel music?
I had a dream about a song when I was in high school. When I got up I wrote it down, eventually put music to it and let it sit. A dear friend of mine was killed and I sang that song at his funeral. Seeing how the room was focused on God gave me a nudge that I should be writing Gospel music. As I got older and my relationship with God grew it became more and more clear.
3. How has your personal walk with God influenced the way you write and perform your music?
I love God and I love His word and I always want to make sure what I share with the world inspires them to do the same. God’s word has been an anchor to my soul through different parts of my journey and as the Mississippi Mass Choir sings, “having you there makes the difference”. I could not imagine not having God in my life to lean on, learn from, and more. It’s not easy but in the end it always ends up worth it.
4. What role does prayer and scripture play in your creative process?
Always start with it! Before I simply dive into anything I start with prayer – acknowledging that my gifts come from God and I want to make sure that’s evident. I want to make sure I’m saying what He wants me to say and I’m pointing people to Him in the end. And I look at it as partnering with Him vs just giving Him a finished product and asking Him to bless it. God is the ultimate creator and there is no better person to inspire your process than Him.
5. If you could describe your relationship with God using only one of your songs, which one would it be and why?
Mmm. Hard to decide between 2 of them right now lol. “Good Company” is one – I have always looked at Psalm 139 as a personal love letter between me and God. Knowing that no matter where I am He’s there AND He knows everything about me really helped me in seasons of low self-esteem, not understanding my worth. So Good Company is a great reflection and reminder of that promise and that He really is Good Company. The second one would have to be “Trust”. This song was written in a moment of heartbreak and it was one of the most raw conversations I had with God. As a perfectionist and someone who wanted to have control a lot, I gave up trying to do things my way and just had to be completely honest and tell Him what I learned and that I just need Him and I need to trust His plan whether it was difficult or not. So this song reminds me – even if I find myself replaying and reliving it years after it had been written – that I can take everything to God in prayer and He won’t forsake me for doing so. Nothing catches Him by surprise so why not bare all before the One who is Truth?
6. How do you balance artistry and ministry, ensuring your music remains Christ-centered rather than just entertainment?
I remind myself of my core values – what is it that I ultimately want to see happen? And that is for God to be glorified and uplifted. I want His name to be made great and I want people to fall in love with Him and His word. So when I am invited in different places, I have to understand what I’m being invited to do and what are my boundaries. Entertainment is not necessarily a bad thing as I enjoy creating and trying different things with harmonies, songs, production, etc. but it’s important that I am clear on what is the end goal and presentation, and these days it’s really about presenting the Gospel and sharing Jesus.
7. How do you stay grounded in humility when your platform and influence grow?
This is God’s doing. I can’t take credit for hardly anything that has happened that grew this platform. So treating it that way keeps me surrendered to the Lord and what He wants me to do with this platform. I also believe that as your influence grows, you have to be careful of the example you set. There are people who are watching and gleaning and I do not want to be someone that influences another to sin or do anything that doesn’t demonstrate the love of Christ.
8. What’s the most powerful testimony you’ve received from someone who was touched by your music?
After releasing “Open the Eyes of My Heart”, I received a LOT of testimonies that were amazingly powerful. One that I remember came from a young lady who was visiting a church and said a mother had testified that her daughter was going to attempt suicide. She had sent a letter via text and was sent the video of me singing the song. She called on Jesus and then the suicide hotline and her life was saved.
9. Have you ever felt pressure to conform to industry trends? How do you stay true to your calling?
No I haven’t. While I am in the music industry to a degree, I am an independent artist and producer so I determine what I create, what I release, etc. and that frees me from having to do everything that trends. I find peace in that.
10. How do you handle seasons of creative drought or spiritual warfare?
I don’t correlate the two so I’ll answer separately – again being independent, I determine the creative process and its timing so that keeps me from having to force anything. If something doesn’t come up, I pray and give it to God and I return to it when I have a little more. You don’t have to have the full on finished product right then and there. There is beauty in the process of creating – having something bit by bit and watching it grow over time. It also helps that I have a day job that helps me to balance. I don’t always have a lot of time to create all day so I take the moments when I’m inspired and build then.
For spiritual warfare, I lean on my community. I have an amazing group of leaders, friends, and family who pray with me, pray for me, and walk me through those times of spiritual warfare, especially when I don’t recognize that that is what it is right away. We aren’t meant to do life alone – and yes the Lord of Hosts fights for me without question and He sends people to help me fight when it’s time.
11. What Gospel song s currently on your playlist?
I’m pretty bad at making playlists lol. I have 3 and that’s it. I know people who have a ton of playlists and are super organized with them too lol. But one that I absolutely love is “Pure” by Abby Gamboa & Upperroom.
12. If you could collaborate with any Gospel artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
CeCe Winans. I just love her lol and I appreciate all that she has done and sacrificed to get where she is and not to mention the pure worship! It would be an honor to do something with her.
13. What message or experience do you hope your listeners take away from your newly released album, One?
There’s only one God who deserves our attention and in He is the all sufficient one!
14. If you could tell your younger self one thing about this journey, what would it be?
It’ll be fine. You’ll find your niche and you’ll be comfortable just being yourself.
God has affirmed you as He created you and that will keep you!
God first and God always! I want people to remember God and be connected to God anytime we are worshipping together or in each other’s presence. I want people to always feel like God met them wherever we were and that they could take His presence with them
15. What legacy do you want to leave as a Gospel artist?
God first and God always! I want people to remember God and be connected to God anytime we are worshipping together or in each other’s presence. I want people to always feel like God met them wherever we were and that they could take His presence with them wherever they are and wherever they go and use that as a means of pure daily life surrendering worship.
16. What does being Young and Spiritually Inspired mean to you?
Being led by God, even at a young age! 1 Timothy 4:12 says to let no one despise you because of your youth but to set an example in faith, purity, love, and conduct. That was my anchoring scripture when I was a young leader. It’s not about your age, it’s about what you carry!
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