Aryn Michelle Calhoun calls audiences to theological depth

FORT WORTH—When future recording artist Aryn Michelle Calhoun was a child, her parents realized God had given her a unique gift to minister through music.

After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., she released two secular albums but realized something was missing.

Questions about her calling led her to insightful conversations with her father, Jerry Campbell, senior pastor of Springdale Baptist Church in Fort Worth. He challenged her to rediscover her purpose and passion for performing music.

“The previous 10 years, I had been writing and performing secular music,” Calhoun said. “I have been a committed Christian since I was 8 years old, and I never left the church, but I had a personal desire to be used by God as a light-in-the-dark artist who was writing secular music from a Christian worldview.

“While I think this is a necessary and excellent calling, I finally realized through these special conversations with my dad that this was not my unique calling. I decided at that point to begin working on my first explicitly faith-based project. It was very scary for me to be so open and vulnerable about my faith, and I also approached being labeled a Christian artist with a great deal of care and responsibility.”

With a renewed vision for writing and performing songs, Calhoun was named “Female Artist and Writer of the Year” at the Gospel Music Association’s Immerse Competition in 2014.

Following that achievement, she released the album, Depth. Its songs ask deep theological questions that challenge listeners to search for truth. In addition, Calhoun has written a devotional book as a companion to the album, to help her audience explore the message behind the music.

“From this album, I hope listeners take away several things,” she said. “I hope followers of Christ will be compelled to engage the Scriptures in more detail, to examine the lives of biblical people with a new perspective, and to be honest about their spiritual questions and struggles. These are the goals of many of the songs on the project.

“I hope people can feel my heart to want to engage Christians to go deeper in their walk with Christ. I strive to make art for believers that not only encourages, but also challenges. I try to accomplish many of these same goals in my concerts, as well.”

At some point, Calhoun would like to release a concept album with songs based on apologetics and focus on the different philosophical arguments for the existence of God.

While performing at ministry events around the country, Calhoun enjoys engaging in conversations, sharing stories through songs and connecting audiences to Christ.

“One of the most important things for me when performing is meeting people where they are at and being transparent with them about my faith and my relationship with Christ,” Calhoun said. 

“This involves a great deal of honesty and vulnerability. I want to communicate how patient God has been with me, and to demonstrate that God can use us for his glory if we are willing to set down our pride and ambition and follow him wherever he wants to take us.”