EP 31 | Stepping Into Faith - Faith Wachtman

Today, Faith Wachtman shares how an invitation to Encounter, a powerful gospel presentation, and a passion for music changed everything. Discover how worship became her favorite way to connect with God, and why she’s pursuing it full time. Whether you’re a worship leader or just someone trying to figure out how your gifts fit into God’s plan, you will want to listen to this episode!

Ready to take a next step and share your gifts with the congregation?

Transcript

[00:00:00] Faith: I don't know, I guess I've been singing as long as I can remember. And music's just always been a passion. I remember, like, just Did choir in high school, taught myself piano, guitar so yeah, always just been something I've =loved= I like grew up in a Christian household, but I wasn't Christian till I came here.

I went to encounter a college ministry for the first time and I met Megan, who used to be a resident and she shared the gospel with me and I was like, how have I like grown up going to church? And I've never heard like the gospel depicted this clearly. It's 

[00:00:27] Rob: common, right? 

[00:00:28] Faith: Yeah. And so I.

Just, I remember kind of like processing it on my own and eventually just deciding to follow Christ and realizing like, okay, wow, I thought I knew Jesus my whole life, but I did not at all. And then, yeah, it was by like my second semester that seeing like Jess, who was the worship leader at Encounter at the time, and then Jackson and just other friends singing up there.

It was just so cool because they also have the same talent and like gift and passion and they're getting to use it to like glorify God. And like, how cool would that be? Like, that's always been something I've wanted to do. , I [00:01:00] auditioned with them and I've been singing at Encounter since 2022 so like two and a half years.

Yeah, and I didn't start on Sundays until like a year ago 

[00:01:09] Rob: Is that your first stage experience 

[00:01:11] Faith: inquire in high school. We always had this event once a year where we got to put on like a fundraiser for the school and we would have the opportunity to be able to like, be able to just sing solos that they picked out.

And so I auditioned for that my sophomore year of high school and I got chosen, which is really cool. And I sang Hallelujah by with Leonard Cohen, I think and that was so scary for me. And so like, that was my only experience singing on stage besides, yeah, coming to doxology. So 

[00:01:43] Rob: what did you sing in fourth grade?

[00:01:45] Faith: I sang stay, stay, stay by Taylor Swift. Big Taylor Swift fan. 

[00:01:51] Rob: Along the way, was there like a pivotal moment or person that you ran into that you thought, Oh, I've got this talent to sing, but [00:02:00] maybe I can use it for something else.

[00:02:02] Faith: just meeting Jess. Meyers my freshman year and just seeing, she was a senior at the time, I was a freshman, and just being able to connect with her, I started going to her C group and I started meeting with her and she kind of started discipling me that was really cool because I just, I really looked up to her just seeing, like, her heart for the Lord and just how gifted she was just made me really want to be able to do that 

[00:02:23] Rob: yeah. And sometimes I think those moments aren't as obvious, but without her, Maybe you wouldn't pursue that.

[00:02:29] Faith: Yeah, honestly, I think if like, if I joined Encounter and we had, someone that like wasn't a student, I guess, if there was like a paid person up there, it probably would have been more scary for me to audition because I would have been like, oh, well, that's like their thing.

There's not like people that I know that are also my age doing that. So, 

[00:02:46] Rob: so you've, you've got a, we'll call it a re engagement with your faith. I don't know if it's the same when you grow up in a Christian household. That's the story for so many college students. I grew up in a Christian household, but it was more [00:03:00] mechanical, logistical.

On Sundays we did this thing And then you're actually introduced to what that means, usually as a young adult. How does your faith play into, you know, what you do now, the performative part of what you do now? 

[00:03:13] Faith: it's definitely been something that has changed over the last three years doing worship.

 at first, because it was so scary and new to me, I found myself just being in my head a lot and just always thinking about, okay, am I saying the right things? Am I singing the right things? Am I coming in at the right time? And it was really hard to be authentic up there. But I think definitely growing in my faith over the last few years and just getting more comfortable, it's definitely been something that I've found so much joy in, and it is like my favorite way to connect with God, and now, like, anytime I'm up there on stage, like, yes, I'm up there, and I have, like, the privilege of being able to lead people in worship but I always try to just be as authentic and like look exactly the same as I would if I'm like out in the congregation. 

[00:03:58] Rob: Your favorite way to connect. [00:04:00] So compare that to somebody who connects. I don't know.

Like for me, it would be hiking or something. It's quiet, there are a few times when I can actually clear my head of noise. what is it about singing and performing that helps you connect? 

[00:04:13] Faith: I think with how singing is just something I've always loved and like, it's always been something that if I have like free time, like I'm not.

Going and reading a book, like, no, I'm gonna get out my guitar and I'm just gonna sing and play. So, I think it's been, like, a really easy way for me to connect because it's something that, when I have free time, like, sometimes it's hard for me to, like, get out and be like, okay, let me just read my Bible for an hour.

But, being able to play and sing and just connect with God that way I don't know, it's a way for me to be vulnerable with him especially like finding a song that I'm really connecting with at the time or even if I'm going through something like a really hard part of life, finding a song that can help me get through that, remind me of just who God is, and I don't know, it just brings peace to me, and then also if I'm even going through like a really Fun time in life and like highest of [00:05:00] highs that I it's just so fun for me to be able to just praise him for that.

And It's my way of being vulnerable. I think it's, fun being able to connect my hobby and my passion with God. So, 

[00:05:10] Rob: yeah, there's for sure, uh, vulnerability there. I think it just exposing yourself in that way. I mean, think about how much anxiety there is for people praying.

In front of other people or like, what do I do with my hands, right? When I'm praising or worshiping and there's that anxiety, like what do people think? How do you achieve that? And we talked about the fourth wall in theater, right? Where you've completely separated yourself from the audience. How do you do that? How do you, so I, again, introverted, I would not be able to do that. I would be paranoid all the time. What do people think about what I'm doing or what I look like?

You know, just kind of stand really still. 

[00:05:48] Faith: Yeah. 

[00:05:48] Rob: How do you get there? 

[00:05:49] Faith: It's definitely been something that's taken time over the last few years, and like, I would be lying if I said I don't still struggle with that sometimes But, I think just, lots of times I just have to close [00:06:00] my eyes, and Just, I don't know, not like forget that there's an audience out there, or like a congregation Cause I'm up there, and like, I'm supposed to be leading them, but Yeah, I think just, It takes kind of a lot of willpower. I just like closing my eyes and just pretending like I'm out in the congregation or that I'm just in my room by myself. And just, try and really not to think about it and just focus on God. 

[00:06:22] Rob: Yeah, don't worry. there's probably no answer to that question. You're one of the singers that you don't open your eyes very much. 

[00:06:28] Faith: Yeah, I 

[00:06:28] Rob: noticed. so my assumption is that's your world. You're in your own world and, I can always tell having seen worship singers for many years now You know who really is being filled up by what they're doing.

Who's kind of more performative about what they're doing Who's doing it there for the volunteer opportunity? It's really neat I think when I see somebody it's like what you were a legit Being filled up by what you do. 

 Any mentors along the way. Not really so much inspirations, like, Ooh, that person inspired me to start singing, 

[00:06:58] Faith: but 

[00:06:58] Rob: mentors about how [00:07:00] to, evolve that craft and, and, 

[00:07:02] Faith: I feel like Encounter has been where I've sang most of my time and like I sing every Tuesday. And so, joining freshman year, Jess was worship leader and got to kind of connect with her at first a little bit, but then she graduated and then Jackson Keyes took over and so he was I feel like probably more of a bigger mentor as I was just kind of with him for more time and Just being able to see how he leads, I'd say it was a lot of, like, not him specifically mentoring me, but just being able to watch and grow and, like, see how other people lead and be able to I don't know, kind of follow that example.

He also he graduated last year, so now I've kind of taken over the role at Encounter, so he got to show me, I mean, even all the behind the scenes stuff of, like, planning sets and, like, yeah, how to pick songs. Scheduling people, all that stuff, but 

[00:07:51] Rob: that's cool. And you're, yeah, I keep forgetting you're really young.

So you're just kind of at the beginning, which is really cool. And think about how good you are now. And then we should circle back in [00:08:00] 20 years and see, you know, but Kami grant or something, I just totally dated myself. Awesome. So who is, who's on your playlist right now.

[00:08:09] Faith: My playlist. If you have one. Let's see. I really like Charity Gale. We sang Thank You Jesus for the Blood on Sunday and we sang it, um, like a month ago too. And that song I really love that song. Living Hope is always a favorite. Like, I know a lot of people are like, once you hear a song a certain amount of times, you're like, I'm over it.

But that song, I've heard it a million times and it's continually one of my favorites. Yeah. And then we sing a song, Holy Ground that encounters my passion. That song I also really love. So, I mean, it changes, but yeah, definitely more song based than 

[00:08:39] Rob: So you're not diving into artists as much as Yeah.

I think 

[00:08:44] Faith: that's, 

[00:08:45] Rob: that's a more contemporary thing because everything is parsed out into 

[00:08:52] Faith: songs 

[00:08:53] Rob: and not like we would go buy albums and stuff or CDs or whatever. And then you have the whole band or artist and you kind of [00:09:00] learn all their catalog and then you move on to the next one that's really popular.

I actually kind of like it this way better, you know, where it's all song based. I don't know why that is probably consume more music. I know my daughter, she went to passion this year and it was a big deal for her. She turned 18 and she got to go to passion with her friends and she came back.

She was really, changed in a way that was noticeable. What is it about worship music? So that's not how I connect. For example, I love going just to watch the music and listen to the music. That's not, that's not how I connect. What is it though for the people who do like, what is that?

What's happening there? Do you think? 

[00:09:41] Faith: Yeah. I think It's a really easy way for me to surrender. , you know, raise my hands to the Lord and just, like, no matter what I'm going through, I think something I've Really learned over the last year college has been hard and it's been a lot of ups and downs and it's not always easy To get on stage.

You're a math 

[00:09:58] Rob: major and that's just [00:10:00] ridiculous. Yes, 

[00:10:01] Faith: and so there's some weeks It's it's rough and it's hard like to get up there and raise my hands and try and lead other people when it's like internally I'm also, yeah, like feeling so drained, but I think something I always have to remind myself is Just how worthy he is and that no matter like what I'm going through, that doesn't change who he is and I just get to reflect on all the ways that he has gotten me through things and all the ways he's changed my life over the last few years.

I think that's always something I have to remind myself and just, yeah, I mean it's just a lot of surrender and I think even just like raising my hands 

[00:10:35] Rob: Yeah. 

[00:10:36] Faith: it's a lot different on Sundays when you have the whole congregation rather than on Tuesdays when there's like 40 to 50 students , 

[00:10:43] Rob: which do you like better? 

[00:10:44] Faith: I think Sundays are honestly better for me. it's really cool being able to look out and see everyone and like so many hands raised and just be able to see like, wow, we're like all worshiping the same God together.

How cool is that? And then Tuesdays are so great too. I think what's hard for me about that [00:11:00] is I look out like I know everyone out there. And so it's really hard when it's like everyone knows me. I know them and I'm trying to lead them. It's just, it's a lot more self conscious for me. I never thought about that.

Yeah. Then like. It's a lot easier to look out and not know anyone like they like they see me, but I don't know them So I think that's yeah, it's easier for me on Sundays. 

[00:11:20] Rob: . So when you're at service, First of all, you can't really see People too clearly maybe the first few rows or whatever.

Yeah you won't typically know them. Is it a self conscious issue like, my friends? And people that I'm kind of growing up in my age group and they see me, I hope my voice doesn't crack or yeah,

[00:11:40] Faith: I think that's definitely part of it. And it's like, okay, oh, if I say the wrong thing, then it's like, I mean, it's not like they're ever going to come up and say something to me like, oh, faith, I can't believe you did that.

But, 

[00:11:50] Rob: you know, but people are human, you know, 

[00:11:51] Faith: exactly. 

[00:11:53] Rob: Yeah. ? Do you have any favorite worship songs that you like to sing? 

[00:11:56] Faith: , on Tuesday we just sang Holy ground.

Like, yeah, I was [00:12:00] saying earlier the bridge of that song is just really great. Um, Chains fall, fear bow, here now, Jesus, you change everything lives healed, hope found. That is just like really powerful for me especially like in my own life, just seeing how he's changed my life, and then also getting to be in college ministry, and we're so, missional, like we're like reaching the nations through the campus, so being able to meet so many people, especially freshmen that come in who don't know the Lord, and getting to, like, meet people.

Walk with them and see their growth Over the years and just seeing how he's taken them and changed their life has been so cool So I think singing that song comparing it to me and then getting to see it in my friends lives it's just so cool about how powerful Jesus is and how how much hope is found in him and How he changes everything like the song says so that's definitely always one that I love 

[00:12:53] Rob: . So your role as a worship singer, what is your effect or [00:13:00] impact on the rest of the congregation?

Um. 

[00:13:03] Faith: Yeah, it's kind of a hard question. 

[00:13:05] Rob: What do you want it to be? 

[00:13:06] Faith: I guess, like, what I want is, That people would see me on stage and not see me as someone that's like, Oh, she's performing or anything like that.

Like, no, I'm, I'm on stage and like you hear my voice, but like, I'm just here with you guys. We're all worshiping the same God. 

[00:13:21] Rob: Do you think that's a question people ask? because I told you when I watch you and that's just having seen music for decades, I have a pretty good feeling for who's performative and who's legitimate.

[00:13:31] Faith: Yeah. 

[00:13:31] Rob: Do you think that's common? I 

[00:13:33] Faith: I think yeah, it's common. I don't know, just like being on worship and knowing other people on worship. it's definitely been something that people have asked 

[00:13:40] Rob: I'm trying to decide, is it important if it is 

[00:13:43] Faith: performative, 

[00:13:44] Rob: like if people are still able to connect does it matter? 

[00:13:48] Faith: I think it's important, like if you're going to be on worship, that it is something you're passionate about and that you are more authentic.

I think it is something that even when I'm in the congregation, it's kind of hard for me to focus. [00:14:00] And Be able to really connect with God when I see someone on stage where I'm like, are you worshiping right now? Are you putting on a show? Like, cause then my mind's on that. And then it's not on God.

[00:14:09] Rob: Do you pay attention? to who's playing or are you focused on, on yourself and, and that. Relationship. 

[00:14:16] Faith: Yeah. I think mostly on myself and that relationship, but it is like opening my eyes sometimes and actually looking that, yeah, sometimes I'll pay attention to it, but mostly I try to just, I don't know, kind of be, be with myself, be with God.

And 

[00:14:28] Rob: that's cool. really just curious, like, are you getting tips or Oh, I like how they did this thing. 

[00:14:34] Faith: Let me do that. 

[00:14:36] Rob: What would you say to that person who is. you know, they're a closet singer 

[00:14:41] Faith: in the 

[00:14:41] Rob: background. They have good pitch and they can sing and they want to be on the worship team, but they're just not quite sure how to make that step.

[00:14:52] Faith: Yeah. 

[00:14:52] Rob: Yeah. 

[00:14:53] Faith: Yeah, I think I would say that like, That was me. I am very introverted. I like if anyone knows me like they [00:15:00] know I'm definitely more on the quiet side it's definitely been something that I've gotten better with over the last few years. But yeah, that was me like wanting to join worship my freshman I wanted to join in the fall and I didn't end up joining till the semester was almost over Like I sang it like one encounter but I think it's something that if you have the musical ability like that that's a gift from God and um Um, I think you should, if it's from God, then you should use it for God.

So I would just say, even though it's scary, just like take the leap and join and it pushes you, but it's something that will be so cool being able to look back and see like, wow, look how much I've grown from being like just a little stick on stage and like this and to now like where the Lord has brought me and, how much I've grown in confidence, like you're not going to be able to grow and, and stop being scared until you like actually do it and push yourself outside of your boundary or your comfort zone. Chris mentioned that on stage, uh, [00:16:00] about Michael Pittman, about just. You know, starting, you just have to decide to start whatever it is that you're doing. Just start. 

Exactly. 

[00:16:10] Rob: Yeah. What's next for you? Yeah. 

[00:16:13] Faith: What's next for me? You're senior, right? Yeah. You're graduating? Yeah. I, yeah. Math major. Honestly, not planning to use it. I've I'm kind of hoping to do the worship residency here. Yeah. I've talked with Philip A.

Little bit about it. I know I've never had one, but that's, that's kind of what I've wanted to do. Yeah, I just honestly couldn't see myself doing anything other. Then something in music and like worship is something I'm really passionate about so that's kind of the goal. And then I've thought about Missionary work maybe after that.

That's also something I'm passionate about I'm getting to go on summer project this summer. So Indonesia for eight weeks. That's 

[00:16:48] Rob: great 

[00:16:49] Faith: Yeah, so, I mean we'll see but that's kind of what you can take it 

[00:16:52] Rob: music's portable. You can take it anywhere Do you see it being part of your life as you move forward?

[00:16:59] Faith: Oh yeah, for [00:17:00] sure, like, I, it's something I find the greatest joy in, and I don't think I could see myself doing life without involving music somehow, so, yeah.