Stephanie Haavik, a worship leader from the Alabama-based Epic Church, is a choir singer who has a heart for Jesus. She’s a member of the Maverick City Music Choir, an experience she describes as “a beautiful gift.” Earlier this year, she took part in Old Church Basement, a live collaborative effort between Maverick City and the worship group, Elevation Worship.
Besides lending her talents to Maverick and Epic, Stephanie’s hard at work trying to make a name for herself in the Christian music industry. She recently released her first independent single, “Holy Spirit Fire.”
I recently connected with the artist to talk about her single, and the writing process she undertook to complete it. She also shared her perspective on the blessings God has presented her with and her next steps in pursuing her purpose.
You’ve had the opportunity to sing with so many great groups like Crowder, Maverick City Music, Leeland, and Elevation Worship. What have you picked up from these opportunities?
Every time I get to sing and worship with my Maverick City Choir family and these amazing artists and worshipers is an incredible blessing. I have been struck each time by the humility these worship leaders have shown and the way they want Jesus more than anything else. But, in all honesty, I’m just as grateful and blown away by God's faithfulness each time I get to lead worship with my own church family. I've realized that these amazing opportunities are not just fun experiences that happen away from home, but that Jesus is continuously teaching me things through these opportunities to share with those I do life with.
You were part of performing the Song of the Year, “Waymaker,” at the 2020 Dove Awards. What was that experience like?
How can I even accurately describe what that was like? It still feels like a dream. My fellow artists Leeland, Mandisa, and Sinach are absolutely wonderful and fun. The choir was treated with kindness and humility by the artists and the entire crew. "Waymaker" is a powerful song and to be a part of the Maverick Choir supporting three incredible artists was a blast.
As you step out on your own, what are you wanting to communicate with your audience?
I just want to say thank you. Thank you for listening, for sharing, encouraging, and praying. My purpose in life and through my music, on and off the platform, has always and will always be to point to Jesus. I have no idea where this new journey will lead me, but I’m ready and so excited.
Talk about your new single, “Holy Spirit Fire.”
“Holy Spirit Fire” was a total surprise. I never intended on sharing it with anyone, much less releasing it as my first single. I wrote it in about 20 minutes one-day last summer during one of the most difficult days of my adult life. It was like Jesus was giving me a gentle kick in the pants and a reminder that I don’t have everything figured out.
Yet, He was reminding me that He has always been there, my whole life, through each valley and over every mountain. Just by being with Him, spending time in His presence, I am changed. That is true for all of us.
What’s next for you?
We’re already working on pre-production for my upcoming EP. It will have a different feel musically than “Holy Spirit Fire.” But, I’m so excited to share some of my favorite and recent songs with everyone. I'll still lead worship wherever and whenever I can, including Epic Church. Not to mention lend my musical talents to the Maverick City Choir. I’ll also write and release as many songs as possible, all while traveling and going on lots of adventures with my family (my heritage is based in Norway where my husband is from and where my three kids were born).
How can we be praying for you?
Stepping out on my own as an artist is a new territory for me. Pray that I stay sensitive to what Holy Spirit wants, that I don't try to jump on ahead. His ways are perfect and He never wastes time.
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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