Interview: Sam Evans
Minnesota worship leader Sam Evans is back with his new single, 'Surrender'. Louder Than The Music catches up with Sam again in between a busy schedule of touring to find out about his latest release, and what it's like being on the road with bands like Love & The Outcome.
Hi Sam - it looks like you're having a busy year - you've just come off the 'One More' Tour - how has that been?
It's been a blast. I've learned so much and there have some special moments of connecting with old friends and making new ones. I had a little scare with my back in Cleveland and ended up receiving care in Lansing. A friend and fellow pastor referred me there and when my guitarist pulled up to the ER drop-off, to my dismay it said University of Michigan. I remember him saying, 'suck it up, Sam' and being glad he had already taken my buckeyes down from the rear view mirror.
I ended up receiving great treatment there and they were able to patch me up and finish that stretch of the tour. I had a lot of people praying for me all over the states. I believe God has brought me a long way and I was able to finish the tour, playing 5 cities in Alaska. Far greater than having opportunities to share my music and my testimony, were the many ways it related to others on a personal level. One lady in Wasilla came up to me afterwards and shared that she had been living in her truck for several weeks and my music encouraged her not to give up hope. It was very easy to see God's hand in the tour.
You're starting October with a new song called 'Surrender' - tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this song?
I wrote 'Surrender' in Michigan while finishing up my courses at Nazarene Bible College. Everyone has a different term for surrender. Some call it the baptism of The Holy Ghost, others call it making Jesus Lord of your life. Wesley called it Christian Perfection. No matter what you call it, we all need God, need His living Spirit and need His grace. My soul was feeling dry and I sat down to that baby grand in Owosso, Michigan and wrote from the need I had of God's perfect love. 'Surrender' kinda articulates more of this ongoing process of God changing our worldly heart little by little with every 'yes' we give Him.
Immediately after that release, you're back out on the road again, opening for Love & The Outcome - how did that come about and what can people expect from the tour?
I'm more than a little excited about being able to join Love & The Outcome for 3 stops on their Sparrow Tour. I first met Love & The Outcome at a worship event in Cleveland, and later had them out at my church in Owosso for their Christmas tour. It was really my friend Brandon with Presence Music that kinda put it all together. Love & The Outcome and Presence Music are both wonderful groups, so it's going to be great nights of music. We're all parents and have all done ministry, so people can also expect authenticity and moments of ministry, worship, and encouragement.
You've been a worship pastor for over 13 years - how does leading in your local church on a Sunday morning differ from being out on the road, performing for different crowds every night?
Sometimes you can get people on a Sunday morning who are either checking the boxes, honoring the Sabbath, or going through the motions. Believe it or not, I've met church people who do not like music, but really engage with the sermon. On the other hand, I've had pastors tell me of families who showed up for music nights/concerts who have never showed up to a Sunday morning. So I believe Christian music is another way to minister with songs not in your blue hymnal or praise charts to reach more than just church people. For me, I am very intentional about timing and transition in a corporate worship setting on Sunday mornings with a vertical worship mindset and on tour it's a way for me to minister a bit more horizontally in a relational way.
Aside from your own music, which worship songs are you most enjoying at the moment?
Great question! 'Jesus Be the Name', 'Long For You' by SEU, and Cory Asbury's 'Blessed Be'.
When can people next expect to hear new music from you?
'The Great I Am' will be released to streaming 10/16. I will be recording a few new singles this month, including a song called 'Real Friend' that has been well received during live shows.
Looking back on the year so far, what have been your biggest highlights?
Making the 'Surrender' video in Alaska, getting my daughter settled in her first year at Trevecca University in Nashville, having my first-ever song on the radio, seeing my youngest boy learn to ride a bike... It's been an incredible year.
What is the single biggest thing you've learnt this year?
That when you're sharing a song, sharing your faith... when you're attempting to change someone's life, you are in fact being changed yourself.
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