Music as a ministry - a spotlight on passion.

I recently read this post on the Oklahoma Wesleyan University wed site and felt I should share it.  

OKWU worship team member, Colton Frederick, is a junior pastoral and youth ministry major with a passion for music, evidenced in part by the recent release of his own worship album.

As a Bartlesville native, Colton has been familiar with Oklahoma Wesleyan from childhood. He knew many of the professors, attended many athletic events, and his brother was a student at the University. “OKWU feels like home,” he says.

Colton has taken OKWU’s mission to impact culture with the Lordship of Jesus Christ in a very tangible way. His story began early, growing up in a Christian home, but it was not until he was sixteen that he fully dedicated his life to Christ.

“I was born loving music.” He said, “My father loves music and introduced me to a wide variety of music genres. I appreciate many forms of music and believe that God gave us music as a way to connect with Him.” While Colton has always loved music, he didn’t start as a singer, but instead played in his school band throughout middle and high school. Singing didn’t come until his church worship band needed someone, and he took the role even though it terrified him. But, he emphasizes, “God has been good every step of the way.”

“I consider my music as a ministry. I just felt like I needed to take it to the next level, so I spent all the money I had, went to Nashville and recorded with professionals (I recorded 2 songs at the time). After…consistently emailing the House FM [radio], they started playing those 2 songs. Like a domino effect, other radio stations started playing my songs and now I’m on stations in 5 different states. Once again, God has been good.”

Colton not only has the opportunity to use his talents as a worship leader during OKWU chapels, but outside of school, he has had different opportunities to share Christ. Not long ago, he did a concert in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and later performed some of his music at the BOK Center. Colton says there have been several positive outcomes through his music:

“I have people tell me all the time that my music has made their day, which means a lot to me. It means even more when people tell me that they didn’t listen to Christian music until they heard my songs, and then they began to. I want people to be excited and passionate about Christian music”

Colton is now the Contemporary Worship Pastor at Bartlesville First Wesleyan Church. He recently had another opportunity to record in Nashville, and now has his own album, “With All I Am” out on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. 

“All in all, I want to serve God with my gifts and encourage others to do the same. If you faithfully serve God, he will be faithful to bless your ministry. Again, God has been good every step of the way. How can I keep from singing His praise?”

“How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!” 
-Psalm 147:1

Interview by Katelyn Paschall, Junior Business major, Management and Leadership emphasis