My testimony through music, faith, and God's grace.
Doug Conrad • Ohio
Looking back now, Seattle wasn't where my story began. It was where it finally broke me.
Years earlier, I had left Ohio searching for something I couldn't seem to find. That journey eventually carried me across the country—from Ohio to Florida, then to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, later to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and finally Seattle.
Everywhere I went, I was chasing the next opportunity, the next experience, the next thing I thought might finally bring purpose or peace. But no matter where I traveled, I carried the same problems with me.
By the time I reached Seattle, I was completely exhausted. Spiritually empty. Emotionally drained. Physically worn down. I had reached the end of my rope.
Standing just inches from a mirror one night, I found myself having another conversation with God.
"Lord, if You give me another chance, I'll change."
As a musician and drummer, I was drawn to intensity. The faster and heavier the music was, the more I loved it. Speed metal, double bass drums, technical guitar work, aggressive vocals—that was my world.
I would often defend it by saying, “I just appreciate the musicianship,” or “I listen for the drums.” And to be fair, there are incredibly talented musicians in those genres.
But eventually I had to be honest with myself. The music I was consuming wasn't simply entertaining me. It was influencing me.
As the years went on, I moved from metal into hip-hop. I loved that too. Different style, same darkness. Different sound, same messages. Pride, anger, lust, violence, self-worship, and hopelessness were everywhere.
What we repeatedly place before our eyes and ears eventually shapes the direction of our lives.
When I eventually returned to Ohio, I intended to keep the promise I made in Seattle.
I started reading my Bible every day. I started praying. I started removing things from my life that were pulling me away from Christ.
Eventually, that included the music I listened to.
At first, I didn't realize how much music affected me. But the more time I spent in God's Word, the more obvious it became. The old music no longer gave me what it once did. The messages felt empty. What used to energize me now left me feeling drained.
That's when I discovered an album that had a profound impact on me:
Empires by Hillsong UNITED
The song Touch The Sky reached me at exactly the right time in my life.
I listened to the album repeatedly while reading Scripture, praying, and rebuilding my life.
Jesus Christ changed my life.
The album simply became one of the tools God used to point me back toward Him. The songs encouraged me to keep moving forward, keep praying, keep reading Scripture, and keep trusting God.
Later, I discovered YES FM out of Toledo, Ohio, along with BOOST Radio. Through those stations I found countless Christian artists and began building the playlist featured on FaithAI.
Today there are more Christian artists than ever before. Christian rock, Christian hip-hop, worship music, and even Christian metal have exploded with incredible talent.
If you're someone who gets completely lost in music like I do, I encourage you to build a playlist that points you toward Christ.
Listen to it repeatedly. Fill your mind with truth. Stay in God's Word. Stay in prayer. Keep your promise to God.
Accept Jesus Christ and begin walking with Him one day at a time.
I'm almost five years into that journey now, and I can tell you with complete confidence:
Jesus Christ changes lives.
He changed mine.