Christian country artist and pastor Norman Lee Schaffer is bringing his life message of grace, redemption, and unwavering faith to Christian radio with One More Sinner Saved, a gospel-infused anthem that also anchors his 10-track album of the same name. Blending classic country storytelling with heartfelt worship, Schaffer, who has shared the stage with legends including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, and Willie Nelson, describes his sound as "Twang Worship," music shaped equally by the pulpit and the stage. As the founder and pastor of The Garden Worship Center, Schaffer's songs function as musical sermons, drawing directly from his weekly ministry and personal testimony as "one more sinner saved." Released through a unique 10-month radio campaign, the album invites listeners to slow down, walk the journey song by song, and encounter a faith that is lived, preached, and sung with authenticity and joy.
Q: For listeners who may be discovering you for the first time, how would you describe who Norman Lee Schaffer is as both a Christian country artist and a pastor, and how those two callings come together in your music?
As a Christian country artist I blend my love for country music with my love for Jesus. I call it Twang Worship. The songs I write definitely have a country sound to them but they are also sprinkled with a little R&B, Rock and Pop influence to give the music more of a well-rounded sound for mass appeal.
As a Pastor of The Garden Worship Center in Belleview, Florida for the past 16 years it has been not only the greatest challenge in my life but also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I am humbled at the fact that I get to preach God's word and help people, including myself, follow Jesus.
Preaching God's word and singing about God's word is what I get to do every Sunday. There is no doubt that the two are spiritually connected and complement each other. I think being an entertainer my whole life has certainly helped me engage the congregation when preaching the sermon and studying God's word has certainly helped me write better songs that are basically mini sermons.
Q: "One More Sinner Saved"; is not only your latest single but also the title of the album. What does that phrase mean to you personally, and why did it feel right as the centerpiece of this project?
One More Sinner Saved is what I am. I remember what it was like living for the world without Jesus and now I know what it's like living in a world for Jesus.I am eternally thankful that I found a love that forgave me, forgives me and will continue to forgive me even though I don't deserve it. In Knowing that fact how could I not help but sing out to the world that I am one more sinner saved.
Q: You've shared the stage with legendary artists like Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Willie Nelson. How did those early experiences shape your musical style and your approach to storytelling through song?
Not only do I get to perform country music but I certainly am a big fan of country music. I have been blessed and fortunate to share the stage with many entertainers that I grew up with and watched on tv. Seeing my heroes on stage and being able to share the stage with them are some of my most cherished memories.
Listening to these legends of country music has taught me the art of storytelling, the power of a song, and how to paint a picture in three minutes with words that can move someone.
Q: This album is being released to radio over a 10-month campaign, one song at a time. What excites you about letting listeners walk through the album slowly, song by song, rather than all at once?
Life is a journey and I think we all rush through it a little too fast and sometimes we can miss some pretty amazing experiences if we don't slow down to stop and smell the roses. It took a long time to write and produce these 10 songs so I think it's important for the audience to take their time in listening to it and go with me on the journey step by step rather than just rushing through it.
We live in a fast-paced, high tech world and we are bombarded with more new music instantly than ever before but I believe if you take your time and listen closely to an artist's project you will probably find out a little bit more about them and why they wrote the song.
Q: As the founder and pastor of The Garden Worship Center, how does your day-to-day ministry influence the themes you write about, and do your sermons and songs ever overlap in unexpected ways?
As a crazy Pastor of the anything but normal Garden Worship Center church I have a never-ending supply of material to write songs about and write sermons about. A lot of the times I will pick a song that I wrote that will go along with the sermon topic that I will be preaching on to drive home the point even more. In church We are all one big happy dysfunctional family and that makes for great sermons and great songs.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope listeners take away from One More Sinner Saved as the full project unfolds over the coming months, and how do you see this season of music supporting your broader mission of reaching people for Christ?
The 10 songs on the One More Sinner Saved album were written to inspire.The songs were written to encourage all of us to keep fighting the good fight and never ever give up following Jesus no matter what this life throws at us because we know that this is not the end of the story. The 10 songs on the One More Sinner Saved album were also written to be a light. A light for those still in darkness who have not yet found their way home. It's all in God's hands and I can't wait to see what He does next. Amen.
Watch all 10 lyric videos:
Connect with Norman Lee Schaffer:
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https://www.instagram.com/normanleeschaffer/
