1. What is your work? Does it feel like call to you?
I work as a musician. I’m a pianist/vocalist/composer/ arranger kind of guy. Since I’m freelance I work in lots of different capacities and venues. I do have an overall sense of call about my whole musical career. I suppose I live with the luxury of not knowing what else I’d do. There are those projects where I feel like I’m smack dab in the middle of my call...you know, where I’m swept away in creativity and inspiration...all the neurons are firing and I feel connected to the reason for the work. Then there are those projects that I know are paying my rent and affording me the time to creatively explore my call.
2. Have you been to a FAW retreat?
My first and only FAW retreat so far was the “Sacred Hot Spots” retreat in Schuyler, NE, April 2005. I was surprised by how much I needed to experience the community of that retreat. The tone was such that I felt free to explore, share and participate at whatever level was comfortable for me. Yet, at the same time, it was such a disarming atmosphere that I was surprised by how quickly and deeply I connected with the other retreatants.
I was also on the retreat because of an intersection in my life. I needed to know if I was hearing a call to move from Chicago to Los Angeles. “Sacred Hot Spots” was my time to go away and listen clearly for God’s call. I had it wrong. Instead, I learned HOW to listen for God’s call in my everyday life. About 6 months later I left Chicago and started driving west to LA.
Another significant result of the retreat was my next recording project. I’m working on a CD of improvised hymn meditations. It was that retreat that helped me see a connection between my jazz piano experience and the rich church music of my youth. In experiencing the music of the retreat, I discovered another relevant connection for my faith and music in the world. Needless to say, that is exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
3. Why did you decide to contribute to FAW?
Perhaps it was my Calvinist upbringing. I couldn’t live with the guilt of getting the FAW magazine without supporting the organization. Honestly, contributing to FAW was almost a non-issue. This organization and community is necessary and vital. While so many organizations and publications use their resources to build walls, divide people and create animosity and fear, FAW takes such a different course. It connects us and reminds us of our call-oriented purpose. This is refreshing and important. Plus, when a musician makes a donation, then you know you’re really on to something.
Greg Jasperse is a musician living in Los Angeles CA.