Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

Jeremy Camp’s New Vision

by Carol Crenshaw

K-LOVE: Tell us about the new album you’re recording.

Jeremy: It’s called Speaking Louder Than Before. I was asking, “Lord, what’s the next thing?” I felt this pressure in my heart to encourage the body of Christ to go out and to really share Christ with people. You have people who speak the truth without love, and a wall goes up with people. Then there are people who show love, but they’re afraid to offend others, so they don’t speak the truth. There needs to be a balance. We need to speak the truth in love. And what does that mean? It means serving. Actions speak louder than words, but if you use words and actions, how much stronger would that be? God has given us a gift of eternal life, so we need to speak up.

K-LOVE: On your new Web site, speakinglouderthanbefore.com, you plan to teach Christians how to speak the truth in love?

Jeremy: Yeah, it’s an equipping of the saints. There’s a campaign we’re doing called “Speak Up, Speak Now, Speak Loud.” Its purpose is to encourage people to step out and share their faith with others by really equipping them. It will be pieced together here and there, and then the whole thing will launch when the new album comes out on Nov. 25. I’m at that place in my life where I’m saying, “If we really believe in what Christ has done for us, and that we deserve death, but he took it on himself and his blood was shed, then we should be excited. We should be saying, “Look what Jesus has done for me!” Part of the song, “Speaking Louder Than Before,” says we need to be the image of Christ, to show love and to serve at all times. If you’re not really loving people and reaching out, then no one really wants to hear what you have to say.

K-LOVE: How is this album different than your previous projects?

Jeremy: It‘s more rock, heavier. It has been really exciting to record it, the way I was writing my feelings, and this urgency and passion that just came out. It’s the best album I’ve ever done. I feel like God has given me a clear direction on every element of this album. It’s very encouraging because I feel fresh. God has given me the songs and also what to say, so it has been cool!”

K-LOVE: Any guest appearances on the album?

Jeremy: We might have one, but I’m not going to say who it is, because it’s not for sure. It will be perfect if it all works out. My wife, Adrienne, will sing on a couple of songs. She’ll do backgrounds or something.

K-LOVE: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

Jeremy: When I was attending Calvary Chapel Bible College in Hot Springs, Calif. I was getting ready to graduate, and I loved music, but I told the Lord, “I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

K-LOVE: So what made you realize music was your calling?

Jeremy: Doors kept opening for me to play music. Churches would call and say so-and-so at Bible college told us you lead worship, can you play for us? It was a natural progression, to be honest. I kept doing it so much that I thought, “Maybe that this is what I’m really called to do.” I was about 20 when I realized music was definitely where God was leading me.

K-LOVE: How did you start playing the guitar and singing?

Jeremy: I always played sports, but my dad played the guitar. He would do small conferences and things around town. I loved music, but I never really got involved until I was about 14, and I said, “Dad, show me a few guitar chords.” My dad is pretty good. It came pretty naturally, and then I started writing songs. I think it was God leading me slowly to what He wanted me to do. It’s funny how he just placed it in my lap and said, “This is what I want you to do, and I’ll give you the ability.”