ara Jackson is a hard woman to pin down. From her eclectic musical style to her diverse ministry and professional interests, she is a unique artist and divinely propelled dynamo. Her self-titled debut album, “Tara Jackson,” released in April 2008, unleashes her passionate energy and powerhouse vocals in a style that even she has a difficult time pinpointing.

“I love to mix it up. The main style would be southern gospel, but you’ll find contemporary Christian and black gospel influences as well,” Tara says. “It’s fun and upbeat with a strong message of God’s love and hope. My enjoyment of different types of music is reflected in my song and arrangement choices.”

In talking with Tara, however, it’s quickly apparent that one focus remains constant: her humble dependence on God’s leading and intervention in her life and career guides her endeavors.

“God has been faithful to place the right people and circumstances in my life,” she says. “I have tried to be obedient and take chances.”

Her approach seems to have hit a chord: Her single, “Wonder Working Power,” hit number one on the Southern Spin Radio Chart. In Northern Ireland, “Ask of Me” quickly surged to number one on Shine FM’s Contemporary Christian Music Chart.

A stabilizing force

Growing up as the daughter of a music minister, music and church were always a dominant and stable influence in Tara’s life.

“Like most ministry families, we moved around a lot. Church was always the place that kept me grounded and accountable,” she says. “When I left for college, my first priority was to find a church.”

As a freshman at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, she put down roots at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, where she worshipped and worked throughout her college career. She was also heavily involved in college choral and ensemble groups.

“I give a lot of credit to my high school choral director for stoking my passion and encouraging and educating me about the music industry,” she says.

Surprisingly, Tara’s parents initially discouraged her from a career in music, believing a business degree would be more practical.

Tara Jackson

“They were trying to protect me. Ultimately, however, I majored in music industry studies, with a business minor,” she says. “I’ve always been interested in the management and promotion side of the industry.”

In 2003, Tara moved to Nashville, Tenn. to complete an internship with Provident Label Group, which represents artists such as Jars of Clay and Third Day. After graduation, she landed – once again – in a secure and familiar place.

“For two years, I was on staff at Judson Baptist Church, starting as administrative support and moving up to a music and media assistant,” she says.

A divine meeting

Between finishing her internship and starting her job at the church, Tara met someone who changed her life.

“As a result of a series of random and divine events, I did a few weeks of contract work for Media Shout, a media delivery company that sells screen lyric projection software to churches nationwide,” she says. “I flew to Houston to help Paul Jackson, the software creator, with an event.”

Paul sent Tara to pick up his adult son, Kyle, at the airport. “Within five minutes, God told me, ‘This is the man you are going to marry,’” she says. “I was so freaked out that I drove around the airport twice to get back out!”

Fortunately, Kyle received the same message. “We were holding hands by the end of the second day and were engaged four months later!” she says. They married in July 2004.

Kyle and Tara Jackson

In addition to managing her solo career, Tara and Kyle now own Jackson Management Company, which also helps promote other artists.

“Marriage made our ministry stronger. Our backgrounds and interests make us a perfect fit,” she says.

Stepping out

In 2006, Tara felt God nudging her to leave her job at Judson and pursue her music career full time. Initially, she resisted. He used a series of three car accidents in four months to get her attention.

“It really shook me up. It was as if God said, ‘If you’re not going to respond to my gentle push, I’m going to stop being subtle,’” she says.

The money she and Kyle received from the insurance settlements enabled her to pay for a music demo and press kits as well as the start-up of their management company.

She says her journey reminds her of a scene from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” “Indiana is standing at the edge of a cliff with no bridge to get across. But as he takes each step, a plank appears underneath his feet,” she says. “When we are in God’s will, he always provides the next plank.”

Tara began booking dates to sing at churches and events. Soon, she created her first album with some of Nashville’s top studio musicians and songwriters.

Reaching out

Cover of Tara Jackson's self-titled CD.

Although she loves singing in churches, Tara also feels strongly about reaching those beyond church walls.

She is actively involved in The Bridge Ministry, a ministry founded in 2004 by singer Candy Christmas to reach out to Nashville’s homeless and low-income population.

“Once a week, we meet under the Jefferson Bridge in downtown Nashville,” she says. “We provide more than 150 people with a hot meal, the Gospel message and an altar call. Our praise team sings worship songs while people arrive and eat. We also offer toiletries, groceries, blankets and jackets.”

The homeless they serve are open to the Gospel because the Bridge Ministry has proved to them that we genuinely care, says Tara. “Whether it’s 100 degrees or zero, in thunderstorms and tornado warnings, we’ve been there communicating Jesus’ love. God’s changing lives in miraculous ways.”

A world vision

Tara toured in both Russia and England and has concert dates in Ireland later this year. Although ecstatic about international singing opportunities, she says God also clearly gave her a heart to reach those at home in the USA.

Tara Jackson performing.

“International doors are opening. An amazing revival is sweeping through the church in England,” she says. “But God has also placed in me a strong desire to offer his love and provision to the people in my own backyard.”

She is currently planning a Christmas album and has between 50 to 75 concert dates scheduled this year, primarily in the South, with plans to branch out to the Midwest and West Coast.

“While I love solo concerts, I also enjoy going to churches and plugging in with the worship band and what they’ve already got going. This is about ministry, not about me,” she says. “I’m open to wherever God leads.”

So far, it’s been an interesting ride.

For more information about Tara Jackson and her ministry and to listen to her music, visit www.tarajacksononline.com.