The words of worship artist Dante Bowe's surprising breakout hit single, "Potter and Friend," echo not only the truth expressed in Isaiah 61:8--"But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand"--but the truth of restoration and hope brought about in his life. 

"Oh you take broken things and make them beautiful, oh you take broken things and make them whole again," resounds Bowe in the song's bridge. It's a statement for all of us, but first, it's a statement rooted in his story.

Bowe's recently released album, Son of a Father, chronicles the truths and lessons the North Carolinian has learned over the years, going from a place of total shame and brokenness to one of identity, security, and strength. 

As his momentum increases and acclaim grows, I took a few minutes to get to know Dante Bowe by having him give us a quick pottery lesson--an overview of the work God has done and is doing through his music.

Right off the bat, give us three interesting facts about you.

1. I typically write at least 5 songs a week.
2. I sang in front of 95 nations at one time, in one room, during the "Feast of Tabernacles" in Israel. 
3. I dropped out of high school to dive straight into full-time ministry. A couple years thereafter I received my diploma while traveling full-time. 

How'd you get started in music? At what point did you realize this was something you wanted to give your life to?

I would venture to say that there were definitely seeds of music appreciation planted in me throughout my childhood through my parents. Whether secular or sacred, there was always something new waiting to be soaked up. I realized this is something I wanted to do when I sang for my seventh-grade talent show! That's when I fell in love with the actual art of singing. 

I give my heart to spreading the love of the father, and lavishing identity on a generation from an experience I had as a young kid. As a child, my identity was stripped from me from an elder in my church who molested me and stole my identity from me without giving me a choice. It was only through God that I could find myself, my purpose, and my calling, and go through a process of restoration. I simply want to see this for everyone. The way to finding out who you are is by acknowledging whose you are. 
 
Your album debuted at No. 5 on iTunes as a brand-new worship artist. Was that a total surprise? What did that mean to you?

It meant the world to see my album chart so high. Although, I can't say it was a total surprise that the album charted at No. 5 on ITunes. I knew when I wrote it that God was breathing on it. So I expected it to do very well, in spite of it being my first solo project. 

You collaborated with Jesse Cline from American Idol Season 13 on "Potter and Friend." How did you two find each other? Talk about how you got together.

I have led a worship team named "Ultimate Call" for the last 5 years which is a part of "EJM" or "Eddie James Ministries." About two years ago Jesse joined our ministry as basically an escape route from his home life. Through a love for God and music, it was only a matter of time that we connected and I asked him to join the worship team that I was leading. 

The song has found its way into churches across the country. Talk about that for a second, as far as what you're hearing from them, and what it means to you to have songs be part of the weekend worship experience.

I absolutely love what I am hearing from churches all over the world who are listening to "Potter and Friend." I am also receiving many testimonies of deliverance from suicidal thoughts, perversion, depression, and mental torment daily.
 
Musically, what's the sound you were looking to create if you could describe it?

A universal sound--a sound that attracts every tribe, nation, and tongue. A sound that relates to every generation, in their entirety. A sound that feels like home. 

You dedicated a song on the album to your "Darlin," your fiancee. That's awesome!

My fiancée, Nacia, and I plan to get married in the summer of 2018. She is my world! She's an amazing supporter and backbone to my ministry. Not only does she encourage, lift me up, and tell me she loves the music that I write, even when I hate it--she's an amazing inspiration when it comes to actual music and singing in itself. She is an incredible singer and has a great boldness to stand up for her morals and her opinions. 
 
What was most surprising about making this record, either from the songwriting or the production aspect? 

The most surprising thing that happened while making this album is the placing of the song "Potter and Friend" onto the project. Believe it or not, the song came after the entire project had already been finished. It later debuted as the single of the entire album. 

What's next for you, and how can people be praying?

I am starting a tour! Dates will be released ASAP. I am also writing for my next project, which will be recorded from a living room. Pray for my sound! I long for people all throughout the world to encounter the song as they're listening in the same way that I did when I wrote the song. Pray to see this generation come into their identity as a "Son of a Father."