Anne Wilson Talks Faith Journey, Performs Top Hits at Liberty University

Country music rocked Liberty University's Convocation stage on Wednesday, with Christian singer and songwriter Anne Wilson sharing the inspiration for some of her top hits before performing for students and guests.

Introduced on video by fellow Christian musician Matthew West, the two-time Dove Award winner and Grammy nominee sat down with Liberty Worship Collective Executive Director Kevin Huguley and Thomas Road Baptist Church Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley to discuss her faith and rise to success in the music industry.

Wilson, 22, said she gave her life to Christ at 12 years old when she truly understood Christianity as primarily a relationship with Christ instead of merely another religion. But at age 15, a family tragedy altered the trajectory of her life. Her brother, Jacob, died in a car accident, completely shattering her world.

"I don't know if anyone here has been through something like that, but if you have, you know that it can almost feel like you won't survive the loss," she said. "It felt like I didn't know if I could make it. So, I would journal every day and at the end of the day I would say, 'Thank you, my Jesus, for getting me through another day.' I wanted to prove to myself that I was going to make it and survive this."

Although she previously had plans of pursuing a career as an astronaut and had never even sung in a public setting or even for her family, she sang at her brother's funeral at her mother's request. After she posted a video of her singing at the service on YouTube, Wilson became an overnight viral sensation and signed her first record deal at 17.

A couple years later, she was working on a new song alongside West and Christian songwriter Jeff Pardo, and all three independently came up with the same title of "My Jesus," despite having not even met yet or discussed the song title with each other.

Pulling from her personal experience, Wilson hoped to use her platform, and this song in particular, to share the Gospel with the world.

"That really led this inspiration of wanting to share Jesus with the world," she said. "Saying, 'Look what the Lord has done in my life. He's done so much more that I could have ever dreamed, and He could do the same for you.'"

The song found immediate success, reaching 10 million views on Facebook the day after it released.

"Looking back now, the Lord was always putting that song in my heart, from childhood up until I released it," she said.

Wilson spoke about her new record, "Rebel," which she released earlier this year. She noted this album stemmed from how she didn't want to compromise on her faith or country roots to best fit in a specific music genre and instead decided to blaze her own path. She likened this to how Jesus refused to follow the crowd or religious leaders of His day and instead did what He knew was right. Identifying as both a country and Christian music artist, Wilson approaches her work with a healthy balance of authentic faith and her country upbringing in Lexington, Ky.

She also noted that as a young music star, she still faces many of the same issues that American youth battle, including anxiety, depression, and identity crisis. Through spending time daily with God, she finds the strength to combat these struggles.

"There's something so special about getting in the Word first thing in the morning, having quiet time with the Lord and just reminding myself of who I am in Christ, and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," Wilson said. "The peace of Christ has helped me through my anxiety and some of the panic attacks I've had of just not feeling that I have to carry the pressure. I think the most beautiful thing is when we do what we are gifted in, but we do it for Jesus, it takes all the pressure off because ultimately, we are doing it for His glory."

Wilson closed the discussion by advising those struggling to place their full trust in Christ to bring them through whatever hardship they may be facing.

"We can put so much pressure on ourselves to it figure out, but the best thing I have learned is to seek Jesus every single day," she said. "He will tell you where to go. He will guide your steps. He is all that truly matters. At the end of the day, He is the prize and the treasure. He is everything. Fix your eyes on Jesus and seek Him, and He's going to guide you."

She finished her time at Convocation by performing three of her songs, 'God & Country,' 'Dirt Roads in Heaven,' and 'My Jesus.'

 

 

Tags : Anne Wilson Liberty University Country music Matthew West