Jordan G. Welch On Blending Worship, Community And Digital Influence

Gospel artist Jordan G. Welch has a way of making worship feel like a community experience, yet personal. She invites people into spaces where it’s not just meaningful gospel for participation, it’s also where her music is set to be intentional, accessible and transformative.

From her start as a chemical engineer to becoming a Stellar Award–nominated artist, author, and community leader, Jordan has cultivated a career rooted in discipline and a deep understanding of her purpose to stir life changing experiences for others.

Her journey from lab to stage might seem unexpected, but her engineering background is what shaped her approach to music. That background taught her that thinking in systems can create every moment to be constructed with purpose, so whether it’s live performances or songwriting, the moments are organized and leave a lasting impression.

“One of the main things engineers are trained to do is think in systems, [and] one of the typical personalities of a creative is they’re all over the place,” Jordan said. “[Chemical engineering] helped me to organize my process, organize my creativity in a way that I can think from conception to completion.”

“People connect well where they are [and] where they’re invited,” Jordan said. “A lot of times, especially in musical spaces, there’s such a big divide between the platform and the pew. And I’ve always wanted to help make the pew feel more connected to the platform.”

A couple of Jordan’s viral and well known hits are her Choir Rehearsal sessions and her How Much More cover moments. And through each song it seems inclusivity lies at the heart of her work. There are many layers to the purpose of worship music, but one of those layers is community. Jordan’s system has allowed her to purposefully eliminate the barriers between the stage and congregation pews to ensure everyone can participate. Whether you’re a trained singer or not, Jordan’s ministry is a reminder that worship is a community experience.

“You can talk more when you’re writing [than] on stage,” she said. “For me, it is almost like expounding on an exhortation. I’m all about convenience, but not at the expense of comprehension.”

Jordan’s work has expanded online through her digital ministry “Reading with Jordi.” Jordan aims to reassure people the importance of faith and literacy combined. Her devotional, At His Feet: A 30-Day Invitation to His Word and His Throne, is a reflection space for study that supplements her stage work. Writing allows her to dive deeper into scripture, giving readers guidance and context that she can’t always offer during a live performance.

The Worship Culture Tour has been a living example of her principles in action. And the Atlanta stop of the tour holds a particularly special place in Jordan’s heart, because it marks the anniversary of the live album recording that first brought her national attention. Jordan mentions this full-circle moment is “sentimental.” For her, it was a reminder of how far she’s come and her music is a growing community.

“Be very clear on what the vision is and what you believe your intentions and calling are,” Jordan said.

Jordan’s advice for emerging artists and creatives show that having clarity of your vision should guide your decisions. And her vision has demonstrated that gospel music goes beyond just a performance. Worship is about community, where everyone can participate and engage in a way that’s communal but still personal and authentic to them.