EXCLUSIVE MUSIC INTERVIEW

 An Interview with Michael Sarver

Jen Gault: You’ve experienced a lot of different chapters in your life and career. When you look at where you are now, what feels different about this season of your life?

Michael Sarver: When I look back at all the different chapters or “layers” of my life, I feel like this one is different because I am the most “me” right now. I’ve learned a lot through the years, including some hard lessons, but it’s all brought me to a place where I know who I am and exactly what I should be doing with my time on this earth.

Jen Gault: You’ve talked about feeling called back to Christian music after spending time in country music and ministry. Was there a particular moment when you realized, “This is what I’m supposed to be doing”?

Michael Sarver: Yes! The minute I stopped doing music as a career six years ago and refocused my eyes on the Lord. He began to redirect my spirit and my path back to where I first fell in love with Him.

Jen Gault: You’ve been through some pretty big highs and lows. Has your faith changed the way you look at the difficult seasons you’ve gone through?

Michael Sarver: The interesting thing is that the difficult seasons have actually changed the way I look at my faith. When I was a child, I always thought faith just meant believing in Jesus. Having faith that He was real and alive. Now, I see faith as my most important tool because it’s what has carried me through those tough seasons. I have more faith in my faith and my ability to trust it.

Jen Gault: “More Like You” is about wanting your life to reflect Jesus. Was there something happening in your own life that inspired that song?

Michael Sarver: Honestly, it was more about self-reflection. One day, I was just not in the best of moods. I was in a store and was treated poorly. In that moment, my flesh wanted to react according to my mood, but then the Lord checked me. He showed me that I didn’t know that person’s life or situation, and that if I reflected Him instead of my flesh in that moment, it could encourage them. So, I chose to be kind, and it turned into a beautiful ministry moment. “More Like You” became an anthemic challenge to me and to other Christians.

Jen Gault: “Count It All Joy” talks about finding joy even in difficult circumstances. What has life taught you about trusting God when you don’t understand what He’s doing?

Michael Sarver: Great question! Life has taught me that trusting God isn’t only a decision to be made, but also a decision to act on. I’ve learned to trust Him and then to actively step out on the water and into what I am trusting Him for—choosing joy the whole way.

Jen Gault: You’re releasing Layer One as the first part of this new project. What do you hope people learn about you or about your journey by listening to these songs?

Michael Sarver: I really hope others learn through my testimony in these songs that they can truly give it all to God. The pain and shame of the past. What the enemy loves to remind us of does not have to define us because our true identity is in Christ. We can be forgiven, set free, and walk forward in God’s full purpose for our lives. So don’t give up!

Jen Gault: Are there one or two songs on Layer One that feel especially personal to you? What makes those songs stand out?

Michael Sarver: “Limitless” is really special to me because I have been blessed to be a beneficiary of a true Father’s love, and in turn, have had the opportunity to be that to my own son in a short season of his life. The story of the prodigal son is one of the most special stories in the Bible to me.

Jen Gault: You’ve gone from working on oil rigs to American Idol, country music, ministry, and now this new chapter in Christian music. When you look back, can you see ways God was preparing you for where you are today?

Michael Sarver:  Oh, absolutely! More ways than I can count. But one of the biggest ways is how He used those years to teach me how to love people. I was a pretty hard person at one time. However, through this entire journey,  which has allowed me to work with so many people from every walk of life. I have learned that love is the way He intends for us to reach the world. He has absolutely softened my heart in so many ways by using my journey to open it.

Jen Gault:  How have becoming a husband, a father, and a man of faith changed the way you write songs and think about your purpose?

Michael Sarver:  My family teaches me daily. The beauty of who they are and what life has been like with them has shifted my writing to a more personal, honest, and most importantly a humbler place. Everything about me is better because of my family, especially my ministry in music.

Jen Gault:  If someone hears your music for the first time through Layer One, what do you hope they walk away feeling or believing?

Michael Sarver:  First, I pray that they walk away with a new and fresh perspective on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Secondly, I hope they walk away believing in themselves more because of who He says they are. Not who the critics and bullies say they are, and not the hurtful words of a rogue family member or a “not-so-real” friend. I want them to know they were created by God and have a place and purpose in this world and His kingdom. God’s love is limitless!