Kari Jobe on Helping People Connect to God, 'I'm Just Being Obedient to Fulfill the Calling I Have on My Life' (Interview Part 2)

Read the original interview on BreatheCast here.

Kari Jobe had a chat with BreatheCast about her thoughts on this year's Grammy Awards, being a light in the dark, and finding God's calling of obedience in her life and sticking to His "faithful" plan.

Jobe has become a prominent voice for worship in Christian music and is using her talents as a songwriter and passionate singer to spread the gospel of Jesus. She also knows that with her role as a leader and as someone with a platform to be an example toward Christ, it is important to exemplify that standard.

"I believe there are people connected to our obedience in our lives, and I'm just being obedient to fulfill the calling I have on my life and I'm passionate about it and it's helping people connect with God and I couldn't ask for anything better," Jobe said to BreatheCast.

When questioned on the backlash Natalie Grant received for her comments concerning leaving the Grammy Awards early because of certain events not agreeing with her faith, Jobe stuck to the same mantra despite admit-tingly not knowing of the controversy.

"We are all going to be in places that we feel are dark. You can walk into a restaurant and feel darkness, or airport, whatever. We live in a fallen world and thankfully we have the spirit of God living inside of us to be protected," she said. "I don't blame her for leaving. I mean I fast forwarded things, so to get up and leave is probably the same sort of idea."

Jobe was aware of singer Mandisa's decision not to go to the Grammy's because it put her in line with temptations and in an atmosphere she did not want to be in. Jobe respected the decision of both ladies.

"I honor them for it. I think it's important to guard our hears, our minds, and ears spiritually. When you are in a room, and clearly the presence of God is not welcome there, I would probably say I would get up and leave as well. I love the presence of God so much I feel it is worth protecting. It's not worth grieving the Holy Spirit over."

Jobe mentioned that she watched the Grammy's and enjoys music outside of the worship realm. She appreciated the performances by Pink and John Legend the most because the artist's used their natural singing talent without crazy gimmicks and huge stage productions.

When asked how the Dove Awards or the K-Love Awards stack up next to the Grammy's. Jobe mentioned they were shows to "celebrate with each other" because of God's calling on their lives.

"Of course the Grammy's are always fun to watch and we get to see certain genres of music that we like and connect. I like that the K-Love Awards and the Dove Awards are more about the presence of God, and even in this last year, they felt more worshipful than I remember in years past. The atmosphere of the other shows are a lot more God centered and sweet," said Jobe.

Referring to the Grammy Awards, "I have to fast forward through so many things on the Grammy's because that's like, 'Woah' because I don't like it or it seems dark, not everything, but some of the things are awesome. But it's also good to be real and watch those things because so many people connect with that music and I would say that people connect with things that are real, and give them things that are inspiring hope. Songs about hope and love people are always going to connect with."

With secular music on topic, Jobe said it is not hard for her to be a Christian artist because her peers are all doing the same thing as her. She admitted it becomes more difficult to share the gospel and her beliefs when the situation does arise outside of the comforts of church or a concert.

"I don't think it's hard at all. It might be harder if I was in non-Christian circles a lot, you know where I'd have to defend my faith. There are times when I have to explain that, like on the airplane, or someone who doesnt listen to Christian music, or they are jaded by the church. That's when it's hard.

When sit there and say, 'God is faithful' and they are like, 'I don't see that, he hasn't been faithful to me,'" she explained. "It's then that it's hard to answer and all I have to say is well, 'Give him another chance because he healed my life. I chose forgiveness and I chose to press in to who he is.' That's probably when it's most hard, but usually in the circles I'm in, we all do worship and Christian music."

Jobe then shared one of her favorite testimonies on how God changed someone's life through her music.

"My newest favorite is about a motorcycle dude. He rides in a bike club and he was on YouTube and found my music. He used to go to church but he got jaded by church. He wrote in and said, 'You have a grown man, a biker man in his leather and I'm crying because I feel the presence of God in my house and just wanted to thank you for being a godly woman and leading worship the way that you do.' I thought that was really cool," she said.

As far as what is in store next for Jobe, she is going to head out on tour with Rend Collective and promote her new album Majestic. After that, she will continue on to play a few summer festivals and begin planning the fall leg of the tour.

"My brother is getting married too, never a dull moment," she concluded.

 Majestic releases on March 25, and her tour starts on Feb. 27.

Kari Jobe Interview Part 1: Insight Into the Creation of New Album 'Majestic'; Maintaining Grace-Filled 'Church-Like' Worship Every Night

Article originally for BreatheCast. See original here.

Recording artist and worship pastor Kari Jobe recently spoke to Breathecast about her new album Majestic, her experiences on tour, her feelings on the Grammy's, and being a light in the darkness through her ministry.

Jobe will be releasing Majestic along with an accompanying live DVD on March 25, and will embark on her tour with the Rend Collective Experiment on February 27. Jobe spoke of her excitement for the new album, and gave an insight into the writing process she went through in creating the new album.

"I've been a worship leader for over 15 years and grew up leading worship. It just made sense to do a live project and just write for the church and to do songs that are more congregational, just with people in mind that are going to be singing these songs in church," she said about the thought that went into the songs.

Expanding further on the amount of time spent writing this album, she mentioned how her contributors were key to the completion of the album.

"So having relationships with Tomlin and Matt Redman, and some of the Hillsong crew like Ruben Morgan and the Bethel Crew; just amazing songwriters and worships leaders, helped me write for this project. I wrote for about two years for this album so, just working hard on making sure these songs worked for church."

It is easy for Jobe to communicate through worship because of the love she has for it. Worship music is something that flows out of her very being, and she has captured it perfectly, especially when creating a new album.

"Leading worship is my number one passion. You know when you are full-on passionate about something, it doesn't even feel like work. I just wrote for two years out of relationship too. Got together with friends and was like, 'Hey you want to write with me for this album?' or 'Do you just wanna write a worship song?' I wound up having around 50 songs to pull from this project. So it's special too, because there wasn't a lot of pressure. The Lord was just really faithful to help me have good songs that were ready to go for this project, so it just felt like fun."

Jobe also gave an insight into her experiences on tour, and she explained that her concerts are like "big nights of worship" where she wants people to enter into a church-like atmosphere to feel the presence of God.

When pressed on this "church-like" feeling, and how she could possibly stay in that mindset every night, Jobe offered an honest look into her relationship with God and music.

"Worship is so important to me. I love to be in the presence of God. Even on the tough nights, once you get in the presence of God, nothing else matters. God always shows up," she revealed.

She continued, "In my humaness, I might say, 'Lord please help me' but He always shows up. When two or more are gathered in His name, He is there. You kind of get this grace for it once you're out on the stage and you're going and his presence comes and you're like, 'Oh, this is why I do this.' Other than that, I love who I travel with, that's important, having friends and family support."

Kari Jobe Interview with 'Female Vocalist of the Year'

Here's an interview I did for my job at the Christian Post, enjoy!

Christian worship singer-songwriter Kari Jobe recently won "Female Vocalist of the Year" in the first annual K-LOVE fan awards and says she would strive leave a legacy "that impacts and touches lives" in her interview with The Christian Post.

The singer was overwhelmingly excited when speaking about the K-LOVE music awards and her time there.

"It was so exciting to share in a category with some of my beautiful friends and peers. It was a big honor," she said happily. "It was also exciting for all of my fans as well. I had fun with tweets playing little games and interacting with followers."

Overall she said the first K-LOVE Fan Awards was "well done and an excellent show," and promised it is an event she will look forward to every year. "It was perfect."

On speaking about some of the other winners of the night, Jobe was asked if she could share some of her thoughts about her fellow artists.

"He's so genuine and real and I feel his music just wants to bring you closer to the Lord," she said about Male Vocalist of the Year Chris Tomlin.

The 32-year-old had a funny thought about Artist of the Year TobyMac.

"He's just super cool, and boy can he rock a beanie. I wish I could wear a beanie like that, maybe in the future I can wear a cool headband or something like that," she laughed.

Big Daddy Weave left tears in her eyes when they sang their Song of the Year "Redeemed." "They are just so genuine when they take the stage and minister to you when they sing."

Group/Duo of the Year winners Casting Crowns are one of Jobe's favorites: "I love them. They are so kind and happy, and they are involved with the church and music like myself," she said.

Changing topics, the singer was asked about the constant mostly negative media attention Hollywood and music's young artists and actors are receiving. CP asked her what advice she would give to a young girl looking for a role model who only had negative portrayals of women in media and on television.

"Be inspired by Godly fruit. You are going to be surrounded by this stuff [the world] all the time," she said. "Value and leadership has to come from the Lord. Don't base everything in your life around other people, find value and intimacy in God as inspiration."

With that being said, Jobe was asked about the power of music as a communicator and evangelistic tool to which she replied: "Everyone loves music. It's an emotional thing. I use music as prayers and conversations with God to exalt him."

"At the mere mention of his name, every knee shall bow," she continued.

As far as being a good tool to express the gospel, she thinks pastors, church, leaders, etc are very important to the foundation of saving souls. "It's the meat to the potatoes," she said. However, she views music as an important tool to guide others to where they need to be.

"Music is absolutely powerful," Jobe said. "You hear a song with the peace and power of the Lord and it speaks to you."

Playing on that theme of music helping others, the next topic touched upon the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. A tragedy that felt close to home since she is from Dallas, Texas, approximately three hours away, according to her.

Jobe had recently toured with the duo All Sons and Daughters, who released an EP called Songs for Oklahoma. Jobe thought the idea was great and was happy to tweet and spread the word about the project.

"Their EP is awesome, and I just want to show support," she commented.

The worship leader's last album, Is Where I Find You, released in 2012, was a very successful album for her. "[It's] helping a lot of people, and that's what it's about," straying away from its success. "I was happy to hear it ministering to heart broken people and others in hospitals."

As for her immediate future, Jobe just finished a tour with Chris Tomlin and has a few festivals lined up toward the end of the summer. She is also preparing to record a live worship album in November.

When asked about the kind of legacy she would like to leave on this Earth, Jobe contemplated for a moment before answering.

"I want to be remembered as a godly woman and a worship leader who's music left an impact that touched lives and hearts," she said. "I would also like to be a wife and a mom when the time is right."