Sarah Grinder On Leading Worship & Her New EP "Sanctuary:" "It's all About Letting Him Do What He Desires"

Sarah Grinder has just released her new EP "Sanctuary" on Invo8 Music.  She is on a journey in pursuit of daily becoming like Jesus and yielding to His will. Her friendly, calm, and passionate demeanor is evident in her music and life.

Grinder describes her passion for music ministry in this way, "It's an amazing thing to use the gifts God has given you to glorify Him. I believe worship brings healing, restoration, freedom, and more knowledge and understanding of Jesus. I know it has for me. The Holy Spirit has changed me for good through it. Worshipping in spirit and truth is to become constantly aware of God's presence, and to worship Him for who He says He is. Worship isn't accomplished solely through music. It is what our whole lives are to be about. My desire for this EP is for people to listen to these songs and encounter the presence of God in a deeper way; changing their hearts forever, and making them aware of His vast love for them. Hebrews 12:1-3 is a verse that I cling to; my life's journey is to know Him as He knows me. To do that I must always run towards Him, and run into His promises, for He is my hope, my joy, my salvation, and my King."

Hallels:  Sarah, thanks for doing this interview with us.  How did you first feel God's call to be a worship leader?

When I was 17 I was pretty set on not doing anything in music ministry, I had a cold heart towards the idea of it. I happened to be watching a video of a live worship song on YouTube one day, nothing out of the usual, but this time God completely wrecked me. I knew he was showing me things about his plans for me, and I felt him telling me that I was made for music ministry. I was made to write worship music and help lead people into a more intimate relationship with Him through music. 

Hallels:  How did you end up signing with Inov8 Music and releasing your EP "Sanctuary"?

I signed with Inov8 in July 2013. Through connections I was introduced to Inov8. After a lot of thought and prayer, I felt it was where the Lord was leading me for the next step. I then ended up recorded Sanctuary in St. Augustine, FL, with a very talented producer, and my EP was released October 1, 2013
Hallels:  What were some of the challenges and blessings when you were recording "Sanctuary"?
Some of the challenges were things like being exhausted, creating a vision for your songs and helping the producer capture that. We did a lot of 10-12 hour days without breaks, it was hard at some points. The blessings were the relationships that got established, the songs being completed and hearing exactly what you'd always been imagining, and experiencing the presence of God in a way that I never had before. You feel His strength in your weaknesses. 

Hallels:  Did you write all the songs on the EP?  Does song writing come easy for you?

Yes, I did write all of the songs on the EP along with some good friends who co-wrote with me on two of the songs, Sanctuary and Holy Holy.  I would say that songwriting comes very easily, I get a new song idea almost every day, if not multiple times a day. It wasn't always easy for me though, it's an art form that you have to practice, just like practicing a sport or an instrument. If you want to become good, you have to work at it! 

Hallels:  Are you currently planning a follow-up album to "Sanctuary"?  If you are, will it be a live or studio recording?  Will it be a worship record too?

I have been brainstorming a lot lately about a second album. I have a lot of new songs that I want to share with the world. The Lord has been speaking fresh things to me in these past seasons, and it's cool to see how my songs have reflected that journey with Him. It would probably be a studio album, and it would also be a worship album. 

Hallels:  When you lead worship, how would you access a worship session has gone well or not? 

I feel that the best way asses if a worship session has gone well or not is simple. Did I sing/speak God's heart, and what He wanted to tell these specific people, or church? Of course there are logistics and technical things too, but over all, my job is to sing Gods heart. If I have allowed him to speak what he wants to, and if I've allowed him to do what he wants to do, then I believe a session, concert, meeting, etc has gone well. It's all about letting him do what he desires, I'm just honored to be used by him in anyway that he wants. 

Hallels:  For our readers who would like to purchase "Sanctuary" or/and find out more about you, where can they go?

People can go to SarahGrindermusic.com, you can get Sanctuary on iTunes, and you can also stay up to date with all that I am doing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Just search Sarah Grinder Music :) ᐧ

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