David M. Edwards is a man driven by a passion to see people enter into the presence of God and driven to see and be a part of a new generation of seekers – seekers after the "face" of God and not just the "hands" of God. David has had a lifetime full of experiences shaping him into the teacher, writer, pastor, and worshiper that he is today. His music and teaching ministry take him to places as far away as France, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Ecuador and the United Kingdom as well as all over America.  Tens of thousands have experienced the power and presence of Jesus as David has led them into a fresh encounter with the holy, living God.

 

Growing up in an inner-city church where his parents were on staff, David experienced firsthand what it was like to be His hands and feet. Caring for those less fortunate, the poor, the orphaned, the widowed and the out-of-work with his parents on Saturdays laid a foundation for a life of worship, service, and fulfilling the call of the Gospel. At the tender age of 4, David began playing piano by ear, plunking out keys he heard from his musical influences such as Mahalia Jackson, Ethel Waters, Andraé Crouch, and Elvis. The Gospel and R&B flavor permeated through his music and singing style. By his teenage years, David sang Crouch, Danniebelle Hall, and Walter Hawkins songs in church and led his first worship service in Barbados at age 16. The Caribbean counter rhythms changed the way David thought about music and greatly enhanced his writing style.

 

"Within the lyrics of Gospel music, you most often find the struggles inherent within humanity, and yet, it doesn’t leave you hanging or wondering," said David. "It always finds resolve in the hope, deliverance, and salvation that only the Lord Jesus Christ can provide for whatever ails our soul. That’s what I love about it."

 

After serving as senior pastor at a multicultural church for 15 years, David followed God’s call to concentrate on his music and teaching ministry. David later began teaching graduate courses at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he found himself in an academic environment that was as culturally and ethnically diverse as his past. In 2010, David was honored with the appointment of artist-in-residence in the School of Divinity where he also now serves as the creative director of the Regent University International Center for Worship, a position that allows him to connect with and influence worshipers from around the world. The student body represents 78 nations and 39 denominations.

 

David’s latest project, Rising Up To Heaven, is a four-track EP featuring the title track which was the theme song for the Global Day Of Worship at Regent University. The EP was released by Maranatha! Music and produced by Phil Sillas. The EP is a precursor to his new studio recording of the same title, coming fall 2012.

 

New songs of worship have been pouring out of him for years.  David has worked with prolific songwriters and artists such as Margaret Becker, Ginny Owens, Chris Eaton, Steve Hindalong, Tommy Walker, Natalie Grant, Kathy Troccolli, Michael Farren, Caleb Quaye, John Hartley, Regi Stone and others, and had his songs recorded by numerous artists as well as his own projects.

 

"These songs are all about Him—they’re not about me," David relates. "Pain and life teach us to worship and cling to God, so my songs come from personal experiences of joy and pain in my own life. There’s always something we can be grateful for—to come to God and thank Him."

 

In 2009, David and Becker’s Christmas album, produced by David, Gift of Love, released, and in 2011, his solo album, Here With You, released on Maranatha! Music and EMI CMG Distribution. In 2005, David was awarded Worship Leader Magazine’s "Best Scripture Song" Praise Award for his song, "Create In Me," and in 2007, he received a Worship Leader Magazine’s Praise Award for his song, "Holy Rain."  David was a winner of ASCAP’s Popular Award Panel’s recognition for 14 years in a row.  In 2003, David began his WORSHIP 365: POWER TO WORSHIP ENCOUNTERS, a seminar where attendees not only learn about the "nuts and bolts" of worship, but experience God’s presence as well.

 

His critically acclaimed book in 2006, Worship 365: The Power of a Worshiping Life developed out of the overwhelmingly positive response to those seminars. David’s desire is for people to be ministered to as well as perfect their craft and calling.  His other books on worship include: Faithfully Yours: Psalms Series, Create In Me, Enter His Gates, and As High As The Heavens (3 books with worship CDs included) and Worship Through The Seasons With God Series, Season of Provision (Harvest), Season of Promise (Advent), Season of Passion (Easter) and Season of Power (Pentecost) (4 books with worship CDs included).  David is general editor of the Holman CSB Personal Worship Bible and is an official spokesman for the Bible League, which is one of the world’s largest evangelical, non-denominational Scripture placement agencies. In 2008, Baker Books released, Encountering God: Ten Ways To Experience His Presence. Worship 365: The Power of a Worshiping Life was released in e-book format for iBooks, iTunes, Kindle, etc. in 2011.