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Jeremy Camp Biography
Review The Artist (53)
Source: http://www.jeremycamp.com/
They say the best songs come from personal experience and newcomer Jeremy Camp’s music certainly comes from a very personal place. A unique brand of rock and progressive pop, his music was born out of a heart that’s been broken and a faith that’s been tested. Yet, despite all this 24-year-old has walked through—or maybe because of it—he’s compelled to praise the God who has proven Himself faithful through it all and has a passion for telling others about Him through music.
Camp’s journey began when he left his home in Lafayette, Indiana, bound for Bible college in Southern California. He wasn’t sure what God had planned for him, but he knew he wanted to be ready. As he soaked up all the biblical knowledge he could and pondered a career in ministry, Jeremy filled his downtime strumming a guitar, a skill he picked up from his musically inclined father. One day, as he was playing in the dorm kitchen, the school’s worship leader overheard him and encouraged him to get involved in the music ministry opportunities available on campus.
It wasn’t long before Camp was leading worship at the school and all over Southern California. One of those gigs would even lead him to his future wife and a relationship that would shape him in ways he couldn’t imagine. He was playing for a small Bible study group in the San Diego area where he was living when he noticed her. “I started to play a worship song and she raised her hands high above her head to praise God,” Jeremy recalls. “I was in awe of this woman who obviously loved Jesus so much.”
They talked afterward and Jeremy and Melissa spent that summer getting to know each other better through church events, prayer meetings and college group activities. So it came as quite a shock when, after four months of dating, Melissa suggested they break up. Camp couldn’t find fault with her reason, though. She said she needed to spend more time with the Lord, that she felt He was preparing her for something.
Jeremy nursed his broken heart on the road, traveling around the country and overseas, introducing his original songs to anyone who would listen. Inspired by artists such as Dave Matthews, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty, Pearl Jam and Creed, his music made a connection with audiences as his lyrics pointed them to the God Jeremy faithfully served.
While his personal life wasn’t going exactly the way he had hoped, his ministry was thriving.
And then Jeremy received a call that would change his life forever. He was summoned to the hospital to see Melissa, then 20, who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“I walked into the hospital and she was just beaming,” Jeremy recalls. “You could tell she wasn’t bummed out. She was just trusting the Lord. It was amazing.” During that same visit, Melissa shared a unique perspective with Jeremy. She told him if she ended up dying from her disease that as long as her death led one person to Christ that it would all be worth it.
Despite her upbeat attitude, Jeremy left the hospital confused and upset at seeing someone he cared about in pain. Once in his car he found himself making a strange promise. “I drove away saying, ‘God if You want me to marry Melissa, knowing she could die from this cancer, then I will. If she tells me she loves me, I’ll marry her.’” It seemed like a fairly safe bet. They had never spoken those words to each while they were dating, why would she say them now?
But during his next visit she did just that so Jeremy went away and fasted and prayed. The next time he saw Melissa, she was going through chemotherapy and was days away from losing all her hair. As they talked, Jeremy knew what he wanted to do. “I told her I loved her and said, ‘let’s get a ring tomorrow.’”
Five months later, with Melissa’s hair growing back and her feeling better, the young couple married in front of a thousand well wishers. Unfortunately, their happiness was short lived. During their honeymoon, Melissa started having stomach problems and when they returned the doctor delivered the news they dreaded. She had mere months to live. On Feb. 5, 2001, Melissa went to be with the Lord. As she took her last breath, Jeremy stood with her family and began worshipping God singing the same songs they had played so often for Melissa during her hospital stays. “I didn’t want to do it,” he says, “but I knew I was learning something about obedience.”
Melissa’s life and death changed Jeremy’s perspective on the music he makes. “Watching Melissa go to Heaven made me realize what’s important. Music is not my life. Christ is my life. The only thing that really matters is what we do for Jesus on this Earth, and as a result of what I’ve been through, I express even more the goodness of God and how faithful He is.”
One of those songs that reflects that perspective is “I Still Believe,” the first song Camp wrote after Melissa’s death, a declaration of faith from one who has walked through the fire. Also included on his BEC debut is “Walk by Faith,” a tune he composed on their honeymoon. Looking back now, Camp feels God knew he’d need that musical reminder in the months to follow. “I didn’t know what the song was for at the time, but I look at the words now and I can see God was preparing me for the path I’m now walking.”
Jeremy’s the first to admit it hasn’t been easy road. “It’s not like you just bounce back,” he says. “But God gives me the strength and I want to encourage others who are struggling.” And there’s another motivation. Jeremy knows with each song that he sings, he’s helping that wish Melissa made that day from her hospital bed, for her death to impact others for Christ, to come true.
June 2002 |
Would you please submit the latest Jeremy Camp biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Jeremy Camp
Life Changing! | Reviewer: J.J. | 1/23/10
In me, you have granted Melissa's wish! I was an alcoholic and a drug addict when i was first introduced to your, "Carried Me: The Worship Project" CD. That CD sparked a true desire for a change in me, the whole CD just hit right at home to me! I only spent 4 1/2 more years using, causing myself more pain, tragedies and failures, but I always held on to that CD and what it spoke to me every time I listened to it. Today, I am 1 1/2 yrs clean and sober and live a life of service to God, ministering to others, sharing who I used to be, living by example who God has made me, and the best part is, he is just getting started with me! I praise God for your ministry and his loving mercy, because they saved my life!! I should, could, probably would be dead, if i was still livin the way I used to, I believe that because I almost succeeded in doing it. When I listen to a song called, "Thank You", by Ray Boltz, you are one of the people I think of! Maybe one day I will be able to tell you in person!
There will be a day | Reviewer: jim | 1/5/10
My son was just given 8 months to live here on earth,when I hear this song I am sad for all the things he will miss but I am aware that some day, there will be a day. Thanks for saying what what we cant and reminding us of the hope we have in Christ.
Wonderful so wonderful | Reviewer: Alonso | 12/4/09
Hello everyone, I am a christian from Costa Rica and I have been listening music of Jeremy Camp and he is a great singer, i love those lyrics because those touch my hear. My favorite song is This man.
I are a model to me in many ways | Reviewer: chick Nick | 11/2/09
Jeremy, i first heard your song on loveworld Tv and since then i have being very interested in any piece that comes from you because i know its a message from God to his people.I play you songs every morning very loud so much so that every one home even my mum is a fan of Jeremy.I learn your songs and play them with my acoustic guitar because i will love God to use me like you in the music field (rock) .I also read your biography and was heart brocken but i just remembered Jesus died to heal such hearts.I pray God uses u in a dimension.I love you but God loves you most.Nick
thinkings | Reviewer: Aizhana | 10/16/09
I have read your biography, i see that you are a star, and it is not easy, when God is lifting you up, your responsabilaties are growing, and how much He is lifting you, so much you should be closer to Him. Today so many people use religion as a buiseness, i know some wonderfull singer, they sing Gospel songs, but their hearts are far from God, i couldnt belive that, and it is hard to undestand. Wish God will keep you and bless you, and He will get rid the pain from your heart
from Kazakhstan | Reviewer: Aizhana | 10/16/09
Hello. just want you to know that in Kazakhstan people listening the songs that God gave you to praise Him. i was really crying when i was listening "I ll take you back",(i am not sure is that wright word that means to drop water, i am not so good in english) God bless you and your ministry. I will pray for you.
I NEEDED TO HERE YOU LAST NIGHT!!!!!! | Reviewer: Justin Guess | 9/26/09
Im so glad i came to see you last night at viking hall. You was so amazing i have been down lately over the choices i have made through life. And oh how cool it is to know that our god is a forgiven god!Thank you Jeremy and i also want to give special thanks for pastor steve at u turn for christ. Where im going through a one step program to bring me closer to our god and for helping me make a u turn for christ!And god bless your family!!!!!!
There will be a day | Reviewer: Eydee | 9/12/09
This song was released just days before my dad passed. My hero, gone. My life and my faith, well aware of his gain to go on to heaven but the pain and grief you feel because of the loss, could be at times extremely hard. Thank you for such a beautiful song --- the words are perfect for healing and hope! God bless you.
speaking loader then before | Reviewer: scott m shaw | 9/14/09
Jeremy i met you last night 9-15-09 in Alpharetta GA i said to you that your music ins very insprational to and after reading this page it even more you are doing just what Melissa wanted you to do you are changing peoples lifes threw your music that the Lord has given you to sing loader then before i have also wrote the word that God has given me and they are song by my chruches praise team that i'm apart of and i fill the lord more with every song i sing and you are a big part of my change to open my ear to hear the Lords words so Thank you and i hope to hear more of the Lords words for you . Scott
Your an inisperation person to me... | Reviewer: Ashley Rojas | 8/28/09
Well first i want to start by saying that i love your music especially "Speaking Louder Than Before" because that songs is about how we have to encourage our generation and most likely the youth...That song gives me the chills because is something that i want to do,to help the youth and to realize how Amazing is God and what he could do.After reading your biography and what happen to your wife Melissa,that made me think more on what God wants me to with the youth and to always have my Faith up and always Believe in Him.Hopefully when you read this message you could write me back and tell me what you think,it will be a Great Blessing to hear from you!!!Well God Bless You!!!
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Review the Artist Jeremy Camp
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