GROWING UP SURROUNDED BY MUSIC
Music has been the soundtrack of my life for as long as I can remember, whether I realized it or not. It echoed through our home, filled car rides, and even made its way into showers and hallways. I grew up watching my dad perform in barbershop quartets, sing on our church’s worship team, and later, lead worship alongside my older sister. Music wasn’t just background noise—it was woven into the rhythm of our family life.
Some of my clearest memories are long car rides with my dad to basketball tournaments and practices. His two trusty CDs in the car had an unpredictable mix of songs—all the way from I Believe in Jesus by Vineyard to Forever and Always by Shania Twain. And if the radio was on, it was probably Britt Nicole, Jamie Grace, Building 429, or Brandon Heath. I was always singing along, and always a little disappointed when we pulled into the parking lot before a song had finished.
GOD’S INTERVENTION
By eighth grade, singing in the car was second nature. I had even figured out how to harmonize, without realizing it was anything special. One day, mid-drive, my dad looked at me and said:
“You know, Jenna, you can really sing. I hear you harmonizing on your own… how’d you learn to do that?”
I shrugged and said, “I don’t know—just figured it out.”
His next words awakened me:
“Have you ever thought about joining the worship team at church? I think you should really think about it. You have a gift.”
That was the nudge I didn’t know I needed. At the time, I was shy and reserved, terrified of being on a stage. But deep down, the desire was there. Soon enough, I was standing in front of my entire church for the very first time—not on just any Sunday, but Easter Sunday. Not sure who’s idea that was, but it definitely wasn’t mine. My nerves got the best of me, and I cracked on the opening two lines of What a Beautiful Name. Not exactly the debut I imagined, but looking back, it was the beginning of God’s beautiful plan unfolding in my life.
GROWING AS A WORSHIP LEADER
From that shaky start, I kept stepping out of my comfort zone. Little by little, I gained confidence, experience, and a deeper love for worship. What once was a hidden talent was no longer hidden—I was asked to lead more often, trusted with leadership roles, and given opportunities to use my voice to serve.
In college, my desire to grow expanded beyond singing. I picked up a guitar my freshman year and started teaching myself. (Yes, the finger pain was real!) Before long, I went from being “just a vocalist” to leading worship from an acoustic guitar. Soon I was playing at weddings, church services, campus events, and small gigs.
SHARING MY OWN SONGS
Almost ten years later, one of my greatest joys is still getting to worship alongside my dad, my sister, and my brother at New Providence Church of God. But in 2024, something new and exciting happened—I released my very first single.
Time and Time Again started as a rough voice memo and, through a lot of learning and refining, became a song I could share with the world. It was surreal to hear something that came from my heart become a piece of art others could connect with. More than anything, my hope was that people would encounter Jesus through it.
LOOKING AHEAD
If I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that God has a way of using the most mundane, unexpected moments—a car ride conversation, a nervous Easter Sunday, a simple decision to pick up a guitar—to shape us for what’s ahead. His ways are always higher.
Music is more than a passion for me; it’s a calling from the Lord. I’m excited to keep writing, learning, and releasing songs in the future. To God be the glory, for great things He has done.
You can listen to my single, Time and Time Again HERE!