Life continues on an upward trajectory for Jekalyn Carr as she prepares to release her new album, “One Nation Under God,” and her first book, “You Will Win.”
The 20-year-old artist, who drew nationwide attention with the gospel hits, “Greater Is Coming” and “You’re Bigger,” aims to connect even more people with God through her new projects.
Expressing excitement about the book, which shares its title with her current single, Carr hopes to encourage those experiencing trying times to experience the power of the Lord to overcome life’s hurdles.
“[The book] challenges people to tap into the champion inside them and helping them to understand that you will constantly go through things, but what you go through does not change who you are on the inside,” explained Carr, who credits her parents for nurturing within her the importance of faith in God.
“You have to keep pushing, keep fighting until you win every battle that comes up against you. It may not be easy, but you have to make up in your mind that you refuse to lose again and just believe that it’s been designed for you to win. Declare that this is your winning season,” she insisted.
Similar themes of faith and determination are found in Carr’s music. Her albums, “Promise,” “The Life Project,” and “It’s Gonna Happen” contain songs that uplift God and reassure listeners of His power to change their lives.
“One of the main goals I have for my music is to inspire people and give people hope and just helping [people] to understand that you deserve to live a prosperous and successful life, despite where you come from, despite what you face,” said the Grammy-nominated artist. “When purpose is upon you, it’s just upon you. That’s what my music is, just to push you into that place of greatness.”
To spread her message further, Carr partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to share her music and inspire young people affected with life-threatening diseases. Renowned for its efforts to defeat childhood cancer, St. Jude has been at the forefront in raising the childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent. Also, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Carr lent her support for their efforts by joining the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign. She performed at the St. Jude Celebration of Hope dinner, appeared in the campaign’s online video and participated in the organization’s St. Jude Radio Cares and Music Gives Day events.
“St. Jude is an incredible organization for anyone to be a part of. I had the opportunity to actually tour St. Jude and see all of the things that they have and offer, not just for the patient, but the family as well,” said Carr.
“You experience the love, see the smiles and see that their heart is really for the families. It’s such an amazing experience. I love St. Jude!”
Carr’s positive message remains constant whether speaking with sick children or singing before thousands, which is like the name of her song and book, “You Will Win.”
“We must understand that despite what you see and the negative things you may hear, we have to look beyond that and keep pushing and keep fighting,” advised Carr.
“Stay focused on what you’re supposed to do so you can continue to be successful in life and connect with the right people – the people who will pull the best out of you and not the worst. Remember you are not what you go through or what you went through. You were born to win!”
To learn more about Jekalyn Carr, visit youwillwin.org. For information on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, visit stjude.org.
