’ll write the songs. The results are up to God. That way I’ll know any success I have will be his,” says Christian recording artist Chris Joyner. That humble attitude developed from many significant relationships that have sustained this man of God all of his life.
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| Chris Joyner worshipping through song |
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“I grew up with faithful, loving, nonjudgmental, Christian parents,” Chris begins. Chris prayed to receive Christ at an early age but says he didn’t really own his faith until high school. “As a child I looked to my parents’ faith. They believed in the power of God’s word and salvation through Christ, and they lived their faith.”
Chris is originally from Williamsburg, Va. He went to college at William and Mary where he earned a business degree. During his freshman year, he started dating Rachel. He says the relationship moved too fast emotionally and they built up a lot of expectations for each other and the future. After a couple of months, they broke up. Chris laughs as he recalls her words: “She said, ‘I’ll never date Chris Joyner again.’ But I thought I could marry her one day.”
Three years later Chris graduated. Rachel, who is originally from Cleveland, continued at William and Mary to pursue a graduate degree. One day they went for a bike ride — an 18-mile bike ride. Then Chris invited Rachel to play golf. They started hanging out together once or twice a week. Rachel told her friends they weren’t dating. Chris says, “I’ve never spent that much time with someone I wasn’t dating. I had so much fun hanging out with her. I realized that was what was missing the first time we dated.”
Finally after two years of hanging out, the couple got married in April of 1998. A few years later, their daughter Grace was born. Soon after, son Andrew came along.
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Andrew and Grace,
Chris and Rachel Joyner’s children |
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“Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Having said this, Chris also recognizes that the relationships that keep him most grounded are with Rachel and his kids.
Another important relationship in his life is the one with his pastor of 10 years. Chris and Rachel started attending Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Va. in 1998. Within three months, Pastor Rod Stafford asked Chris to lead worship. Chris still leads FCC’s three services most weekends. He also occasionally leads worship at Frontline, a community of young adults who get together weekly to worship.
“My groundedness comes from the mentoring of my senior pastor. He ministers from that mentality of looking forward but not at the expense of ministering today,” Chris says.
He also credits a couple of seminary professors for influencing his faith. All of these relationships were extremely important, particularly during a definable moment in 2003.
Chris released his debut CD “Left with Only You” in 2000. The title song is still one of his favorites. He remembers how the lyrics came to him. “I couldn’t sleep so I went down to the den, picked up the guitar and within an hour had written the song. The theme to my life is to constantly refocus on the Lord. I want Christ to be sufficient. This song is a prayer.”
Lord, I stand before you now
To bring you all I have, to give you all I am
And I will not leave here unchanged
So take this heart of mine and plant your Spirit deep
I lay down these worldly things
I call out to you from this place
Your will I will hold on to
Your Word is my stronghold
Oh Lord, to be left with only you
Your grace it astonishes me
Your life is my anchor
Oh Lord, to be left with only you
In 2002, he released his second CD “A Song of Praise.”
By 2003, Chris began to realize he was striving for material things. He says, “God broke my heart over my materialism.”
God continued to work on Chris with the words of Isaiah 58. In this Scripture, the Lord talks about the definition of true fasting, saying it is “not just a day for a man to humble himself” but to also “… loose the chains of injustice … share your food with the hungry … provide the poor wanderer with shelter ….” (Isaiah 58:5-7)
In response to this brokenness, Chris assembled a group of musicians and recorded his third CD, “The Great Room.” The project took eight weeks from idea to completed work. “I Will Run” is one song Chris wrote during that time. The bridge sums up where his heart was.
Not for the sake of fame
Not for the sake of gold
I lay these down for You have captured my soul
Five dollars from the sale of every “Great Room” CD go to the International Justice Mission, a human rights organization that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression.
Chris admits he still works at maintaining perspective, “I still struggle, fight and battle; but my overall trajectory has been being content with where God has me. It’s sinful and miserable not being content.”
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Ben Lashey and Chris Joyner
on the cover of their newest CD |
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Chris cautions new musicians to not get caught up in the fame and money. “As singers and artists, we can become our identity. But if you’re doing what God has called you to do in the place God has called you to do it, you are making it. Be thankful for what God is doing in your life.”
These are heartfelt words that Chris says he has to remember daily. During the past 16 months he’s struggled with his voice. His pitch and delivery are off. It has been difficult for him to walk through.
“This experience has caused me to look deep within and have conversations with people I trust, conversations I never would have had if this weren’t happening,” Chris says. He adds that he truly is prepared for whatever God has for him.
He concludes, “I’m God’s child whether I ever sing another song. I’m redeemed by the Gospel. He didn’t redeem me because of what I do. He redeemed me because he created me and he loves me. If God has a different plan for me, I’m open.”
Chris’ latest CD with Ben Lashey is entitled “Hymns.” For more information, visit www.chrisjoyner.com
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