J
ordin Sparks has had two major life-altering moments singing before anaudience. It is probably not shockingto learn that one of them came when atseventeen she performed in front of millionsof viewers on national television andbecame the Season Six
American Idol
in theblockbuster FOX-TV singing competition.The other moment that changed her life,however, may come as a surprise to you.It happened a few short years prior to the
American Idol
performance while she sangin a week-closing assembly at KanakukKamp, a summer Christian sports camp.
American Idol
launched her singingcareer and provided her with a newplatform in which to share her voice,but the Kanakuk Kamp moment hadgiven her a real purpose in sharing it.
A Moment of Decision
Jordin gave her life to Jesus onNew Year’s Eve at the age of four. Ashort time later, while in kindergarten,she sang on stage for the first time. Herfaith and her object of enthusiasm wereestablished. By the time she reachedmiddle school she knew she wanted tomake singing her career.At the age of twelve she enteredand won her first singing competition.It would be the first of many. From talentshows across her home state of Arizonato nationally-sponsored contests, Jordinkept winning and winning. She was adouble-award winner at the Gospel MusicAssociation Academy, and she evenperformed on NBC’s
America’s Most Talented Kids
. Within that stream of accolades, Jordin found herself atKanakuk scheduled to perform at thecamp’s end-of-week assembly.“God had always been a part of my singing, but I didn’t fully realizethat I needed to use it for Him,” Jordinexplains. “I had been singing becauseI loved the attention. It was fun, and Ididn’t realize how much of a (selfish)thing that that was. Then one of thecounselors came up to me and said ‘If you want to sing tonight, make sureyou’re doing it for God and not becauseyou want the glory.’” Jordin debated with herself throughoutthe day about whether or not to perform,unsure if her heart was in it for the rightreason. When show time arrived, she wasfeeling convicted and conflicted.‘“Right before it was about to end,
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