5 More AMERICAN IDOL Alumni Using Their Talent to Glorify God
By Movieguide® Staff
Last week, we listed 8 AMERICAN IDOL alumni who use their platform to honor God. But we only scraped the surface of Christian singers that appeared on the singing competition show over the past 19 seasons.
Here are five more stars whose motivation for singing goes much deeper than performing on stage.
Danny Gokey (Season 8):
Danny Gokey was a church music director from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before his run on AMERICAN IDOL. Just one month before his Season 8 run, he lost his wife, Sophie. Relying on his faith in God, Gokey finished the season as the third-place finalist and continues to point people to God through his testimony.
“As a young kid, I didn’t believe that Christ was enough. I believed there was a Christ plus now I gotta do X,Y and Z,” Gokey said. “One of the most profound things I’ve learned in my walk with Christ is He is enough. I lean towards Jesus more than ever before.”
Jason Castro (Season 7):
Although Jason Castro’s faith was not in the spotlight on Season 7, it played a major role in his life. Castro notes that God drew him to Himself through his love for music.
“I was so tired all the time, I didn’t even have the energy to reach out to God, and I started having this longing for more God in my life. And I wanted more God in my music. Every day, I can count on connecting with him there,” Castro told the Christian Post.
Mandisa (Season 5):
Mandisa grew up singing in the church and placed 9th in Season 5. Mandisa has released two gospel albums and two Christmas albums since her appearance on AMERICAN IDOL.
“I wouldn’t have the platform I have now had it not been for my experience on American Idol,” Mandisa said. “I was happy doing session work, but this is the path God has for me, and He prepared me for it. I don’t know what’s coming, but I know He used American Idol as a catalyst to make a path for me.”
“My only focus is on Jesus. I want people to know what Christianity looks like. People have such a skewed vision. They see certain images and think we’re all fire and brimstone, when really we’re just like everyone else. We just have a relationship with the Savior,” she added. “And so in everything — from the book, the music, the fashion ads — I want people to see what that can mean in a life. I want them to think, ‘There’s something about Mandisa. What is it, and how can I have it?'”
Scotty McCreery (Season 10):
The country singer performed on Season 10 of American Idol.
“I keep a lot of my old baseball hats, and if you look in the hats, I’ve had since I started pitching, you’ll see Philippians 4:13 written on the brim,” he told CMT.
“That’s the Scripture that gets me through the day because sometimes you can’t do it all by yourself. You can’t do it on your own, so you lean on him.”
“It was the best time of my life, but it was tough and definitely stressful,” he says. “That was when I’d have to really dig into the Word and pray and ask for prayers from my friends back home. I leaned on that verse, and I got through it.”
Clark Beckham (Season 14):
Although Beckham grew up in a Christian home, he was not always passionate about his faith in God. Beckham confessed that he was a closet atheist for a time before returning to God.
“The only status that matters is your status in God, and what He says about you. He says you’re a son or daughter of him, and the old things pass away, and all things are a new creation, redemption—thats the best story. Thats the best thing anyone can have,” Beckham said.
“How I see that, though, is not a platform for me, but a platform for Him, and a platform to shine His light on this world.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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