Christian Music Online

Kari Jobe

April 4, 2009 – 5:45 pm

Christian music is huge, but it is not mainstream. Information about Christian entertainment is largely confined to established Christian publications, radio, syndicated television and the Internet.

Kari Jobe is catching the attention of the growing number of blogs dedicated to Christian music and other interests.

While she has performed on recordings as a part of other projects, her first solo CD was released in February. It immediately went to the top of iTunes charts and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Christian album chart.

A favorite of bloggers is her “Revelation Song,” with many comparing the work favorably to that of other Christian singers tackling similar themes.

Kari’s anthem is unique in its richness and one suspects from listening to it and other songs on the debut that she is in the process of crafting music that will place her in a league of her own.

Songs on the album range from elaborate arrangements to toe-tappers.

Or, as Kari put it, there is a combination of serious music with lyrics that get into faces and “others that are less serious to get you on the floor.

“Not everything has to be serious. We also need songs that are happy.”

A daughter of two ministers, Kari has loved music so long that one wonders if her first words were song lyrics.

She decided to become a singer/songwriter at age 10 while her dad was counseling a couple in the family van.

“I put on my favorite Christian tape and hoped the message would help them,” she said. “I decided I wanted to be part of it to meet people where they are and help bring them comfort.”

Kari, now 28, began writing essays and songs while in middle school, earned a degree with a double major in psychology and pastoral ministries, and eventually became an associate pastor in music at Gateway Church, near Dallas. She remains in that position.

In addition to her service in the church, Kari travels to other states to visit churches and other Christian groups.

She expects her next CD to include more anthems people can use during worship services.

Kari Jobe

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