Jaci Velasquez has been surrounded by music from the day she was born. Her parents and family were involved in music ministry, and their love for singing was passed on to Jaci. Although her life has been filled with more than lyrics and joy, Jaci Velasquez exemplifies how faith and the love of God can transform broken dreams and sadness into joy, hope, and peace.
How Did Jaci Velasquez’s Music Career Start?
Born in Houston, Texas, in the 1970s, Jaci began singing with her parents as they performed in various churches. Her mother and father noticed her gift of singing and allowed her to participate with them in entertaining and sharing God’s message through songs.
Schoolwork was done while the family traveled from place to place. One of Jaci’s favorite pastimes was watching movies. In her book When God Rescripts Your Life: Seeing Value, Beauty, and Purpose When Life Is Interrupted, Jaci shares that she imagined a picture-perfect life in everything from clothing to relationships. She wanted a future with traditions, a cherished home life, and a routine.
Jaci was asked to sing at 13 for the National Week of Prayer event in Houston, Texas. Someone who saw the performance contacted her parents and asked if she could be the opening performer for the music band Point of Grace. That performance led to more connections and opportunities with people in the music industry.
Jaci released her first album at 16 and won the Best New Artist Dove Award shortly after. She went on to open concerts for other Christian artists and has been recognized with awards, including Latin Grammy Award nominations and Grammy Award nominations.
In a News 24 Houston interview with reporter Annie Blanco, Velasquez shares how different styles of music can have the same message: a reminder that “God loves you.”
What Are Jaci Velasquez’s Best-Known Albums?
Although she has recorded and released numerous albums, her debut on a major label was Heavenly Place, which continues to rank high in fan favorites. This 1996 certified platinum album has sold over one million copies, and included a spinoff devotional book written with Thom Granger.
In 2001, Jaci released Mi Corazon. Some thought she might leave her Christian music career to focus on mainstream music. Instead, Jaci worked with a producer who helped her continue the overtly Christian references while developing musically.
Her fourth album, Crystal Clear, showed a more mature sound in which her faith and love for God were evident. In a Crosswalk interview to promote the album, Jaci shared her feelings about the importance of staying true to the faith and the clarity that commitment brings over time. Jaci has relied on her faith and her relationship with God throughout her life.
Other best-known albums include:
- Unspoken (2003)
- Beauty Has Grace (2007)
- Trust (2017)
What Has Jaci Velasquez Done Outside of Music?
Along with her successful career as a musician, Jaci has also explored other art forms such as writing books, acting in several films, appearing in numerous ads for popular products, being interviewed in many magazines, and creating a non-profit clothing line.
Velasquez co-hosted a Salem Broadcasting Network morning show with Doug Giffin called The Family-Friendly Morning Show with Doug and Jaci Velasquez from 2010-2016. They interviewed special guests and chatted with listeners on various topics.
Jaci and her husband, Nic Gonzales, have two children. Jaci shares that during a meeting with educational professionals, she and Nic learned about suspected developmental delays for their son, Zealand. Their young son was diagnosed with autism. Her dreams of a perfect child and family were changed by autism and the difficulties Zealand was experiencing. After researching the diagnosis, Jaci and Nic learned how to provide the best environment for their family. Being flexible and open to a new way of living helped the family. Zealand’s brother Soren has been a great influence and help with the family. Jaci has served as a spokesperson for the 2013 Autism Speaks Tennessee Walk Now.
Jaci Velasquez Quotes about Music and Faith
- “God does reset time from time to time. See what I did there? But He does. For His purpose.” — When God Rescripts Your Life
- “Some things you’re gifted at that I’m not. But it’s also looking at each other and being able to harvest each other’s gifts and pulling it out of each other.” — Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer
- “I always pray ‘God open the doors you want me to walk through, and close the ones you don’t.’” — CCM Magazine interview with Andrew Greer
- “I spent so much time asking the question, “Why me? But I started asking the right question, ‘But why not me?’ ... That was part of my life, but God can turn all ashes into beauty.” — Religion Unplugged interview with Kristina Puga
- “On my first record, the label painted out my freckles on my face because they thought they would disappear as I got older—but they never did!” — Crosswalk interview with Mark Smeby
- “I may not know what to do or what the future holds,” she says, “but I trust that God does.” — quote from official website
What Can Jaci Velasquez Teach Us about Faith?
Jaci Velasquez has shown her love for God through her words and actions. As a young girl, she performed with her family in church, dealt with rejections after her mother entered her in beauty pageants, was asked to sing at a special prayer day, and became a young recording star. Jaci’s life continued to include opportunities to learn, grow, and share her faith. As a young woman, she married, divorced, found her true love, and married again. She and Nic are the proud parents of Zealand and Soren.
Throughout her music career, Jaci has found a passion for other things, including being an advocate for Zealand since he was diagnosed with autism in 2013. Jaci has become a spokesperson for autism advocacy.
Jaci has journeyed through the divorce of her parents, growing up in the spotlight as a young singer, being homeschooled, navigating friendships through her teen years, her first marriage and divorce, finding love with Nic and remarrying, and then her son Zealand’s autism diagnosis.
In 2015, Jaci began having severe neck pain. After visits to medical professionals, she was diagnosed with bulging discs and spine issues. Treatments and pain caused her to ask once again the question of why this was happening. Jaci relied on her trust and faith in God. Daily activities were adjusted, and that included her singing schedule.
In each experience, Jaci has leaned on God and her faith. Yes, she has asked God the questions that many of us ask. “Why me?” In prayer and sharing time with God, Jaci has listened and found answers.
When life has been joyful and filled with promise, Jaci rejoiced and praised God. When life has been uncertain and invaded by fear, Jaci found comfort and peace by going to God and seeking His answers.
Jaci Velasquez is a wonderful example and reminder that good and bad things will happen to everyone. How we react and respond to those times draws us closer to God or moves us away from the Father. As Christians, we can rest in the promises of God and know that when we doubt, God will continue to love us.
Blessings,
Melissa Henderson
Photo Credit:©Getty Images/Rick Diamond/Staff
Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.
Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at http://www.melissaghenderson.
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