Janine Stange
by Marc Forester

CS: How long have you been in Christian Music?

JS: I’ve been in Christian music about 6 years now, and have been a Christian all my life.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

JS: The main focus of my ministry is all types of all people. I try to make sure that no-one feels excluded by talking or writing ‘over or under’ their heads. My focus is that people, whether lost, hurting, mature Christians, young or old see that I’m real.

CS: Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten? The future?

JS: I can't see myself in any other ‘career’ aside from the arts…singing, performing, songwriting, producing etc. This could be a really lengthy answer but I’ll try to keep it concise! Five years from now I would like to have already gone on a bunch of successful tours, with a least 3 albums out of my own. By then, I’d expect to be established and recognized enough to where people value what I say and are encouraged to live their life by a Higher standard. I’m also interested in acting and would like to be involved in that as well. I plan to have a number of foundations set up to help people get themselves on a better level of life…to help others realize that their dreams can materialize. Ten years from now – I expect to continually grow and expand, adapt and explore and for the scope to just get larger. I’d also like to be producing other artists, writing songs for others, and collaborating. I don’t believe in limitations!!

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change you?

JS: I’ve seen people get ‘weird’ when they’ve ‘made it’ and I think it’s horrible. I have a great family and a great support system that keeps me in check!! I will use the success to reach more people, give into the gospel like I’ve dreamed and impact the world for God.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

JS: Distant?!!! No way!! I love talking to people!!! I sometimes have conversations with them while I’m on stage!!! I love getting emails from people that have been at a show too. There is, however, always a time before the show that I get alone and pray because He gets first priority. I realize without Him I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

CS: Do you ever feel that you are not ready Spiritually to be performing and ministering as you are doing now?

JS: No, I have to be ready. I think that this type of career requires constant replenishment, because when you’re singing and talking I tend to put every piece of me into it. So if I didn’t put back in what I’ve put out then I would be ‘drained’ and do everyone involved an injustice.

CS: If you could meet any one person, past, present or future, who would you meet? Why would you choose that person? What would you ask them?

JS: Those people who are all alone with no one and feeling hopeless. I’d want to meet that person and maybe say something that would change their life for the better…because in the end that’s the only thing that matters.

CS: If you could ask Jesus any one question, what would you ask and why?

JS: When are you coming back!! So I know how much time I have left to fulfill my calling!

CS: When and how did you accept Christ into your heart?

JS: When I was really young. I grew up a Christian which is really cool. I have a great family that lived what they taught me and gave me a great foundation.

CS: Could you please share a short testimony?

JS: Well my testimony is that I really don’t have a ‘testimony’!
I’ve been a Christian all of my life. My testimony is that I didn’t get caught up in a lot of things that would have kept me from focusing on God. I am blessed to have parents that taught me not to compromise and lived their lives honorable to God in front of others as well as behind closed doors. I didn’t need to rebel because I didn’t see hypocrisy. Not to say that I haven’t been aware of God’s grace and mercy on my life – it’s a constant walk.

CS: What is the most inspirational piece of scripture that you have found that applies to your life?

JS: I Timothy 4: 12-16 12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. – The Message Bible.

CS: What is the most fascinating piece of Scripture you have studied?

JS: God created man in His own image. (Gen 1:26) The thought of that spurs endless others. We are in the likeness and image of the guy that created this whole world! The creator of the universe created us to create. The more we realize that and the more linked up to Him we become the less the ‘limitations’ of this natural world have a grip on us.

CS: What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why? What is your favorite book of the Bible?

JS: Isa. 55:11 – So shall my word be that goes forth out of My mouth : it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless] but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
(amplified Bible)

My favorite book would be Psalms.

CS: When did you feel called to perform Christian Music? Have you felt God's hand guiding you towards this all along?

JS: was around 11 – when I knew I was called. I was too embarrassed to admit it to anyone though!!! I wish I wasn’t sooo shy!! I could not think of anything else that I could possibly do in life. SO yeah TOTALLY I’ve felt God guiding me to this…He’s put such great people in my life along the way to help me do this.

CS: Do you make it a goal to use your music to minister to people? Or do you just write for the sake of writing and performing?

JS: It’s what’s inside me, so although I have a blast doing what I do I take it really seriously. When writing lyrics, I’m almost always thinking of what the listener is going to think and get out of it. If I think it could be taken negatively or not lead towards a positive answer etc. then I will work on it until it does… There would be no reason to write or perform if it wasn’t to impact, influence, help others.

CS: What is the message you are trying to get across with your music?

JS: HA!! I guess I answered this question with the one above!!
I just want people to be able to relate to, learn from, and grow with my music. If they’re not feeling so hot then I want them to put the CD on because they know it will help get them in a better frame of mind!

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from performing and ministering through music?

JS: That it comes with major responsibility. You’re not just keeping your life for yourself – what you write and what you do is going to be seen by many others, which can influence others. So it’s important to maintain your spiritual, mental, and physical health in order to properly represent Him!

CS: What is the hardest thing about ministering through music?

JS: Hmmmmm not sure. Maybe it’s hard because it is left up to interpretation in many cases. I can’t sit with every person that buys my CD and explain exactly what each song means.

CS: What is the funniest thing you have seen while touring?

JS: While singing a song I was waving my arms to have to audience wave theirs as well – I, however, wasn’t with the rhythm…the whole audience followed me and my bad rhythm! I figured out later why some had confused looks!!

CS: What is the biggest thing God has done during one of your concerts?

JS: The biggest things are sometimes the little things. I’ve been most impacted when someone comes up to me after a show and says something like.. “I don’t know why I came here tonight, I’ve had a pretty terrible day but now I feel uplifted.” Then I feel that I’ve done my job – meaning I let God work through me to lift burdens and provide hope and answers.

CS: Do you write your own music?

JS: Yes, along with a team of great people.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

JS: From many things, you always have to be open and aware of your surroundings… because creativity ‘strikes’ in varied situations…

CS: How would you describe your music style?

JS: Modern pop/rock, some with good energy, some ballads, a nice journey.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

JS: Hmmm, not that I’ve heard of.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

JS: When I was a kid, I was a huge fan of Margaret Becker…still am J

CS: Who are some of the groups you have performed with and what did you think of them?

JS: A few that I’ve performed with were Vickie Winans: she’s just an amazing artist…she puts every ounce of her into her concerts, and has an amazing voice – very real both on and off stage. I’ve also opened for Dave Lubben and Downhere. Dave Lubben has a great sincerity about him, he takes every minute he’s on stage very seriously – great person. Downhere was cool as well – nice group of guys, their show is total energy.

CS: Who, aside from Jesus, is or has been the biggest influence in your life?

JS: That would be my mom, dad, and brother (sorry, I couldn’t pick one!). They’re not just my family, they’ve become my friends. They’re always there for me. I realize that’s not always the case with everyone so I’m grateful for them.

CS: Who do you look up to the most in life?

JS: My dad!! He’s pretty tall!!

CS: Do you ever feel fear when you approach someone with the Gospel?

JS: Sure, but it’s what you do with the fear that counts. You can’t listen to it. We’re human and sometimes it’s hard not to think – ohhh boy what if they tell me to shut up or something.. When you realize that pretty much is the worst thing that could happen (in America)..it’s not soo bad. Like anything else it takes a few times to break the fear –and then you’re good to go!

CS: Are you involved in your own home churches? What role do you have there?

JS: Yes, I actually used to help them out a lot with their graphic design – for a few things!! Now, due to many shows I’m not able to do as much…

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

JS: Yes, I’m a partner with a bunch of ministries and I'm also a spokesperson for 1 in 9: the Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition. It’s not a ‘ministry’ but they work tirelessly for breast cancer research. I got involved with them after my aunt passed away from breast cancer, I wrote a song to honor her and put it out to raise money. The CD is called: Rhythm of My Heart and is available through my website.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

JS: Hmmmmm..well a friend used to call me a blank slate… because I really didn’t have much of a musical background – and my musical influences were minimal. That has since changed as I've grown and developed. I did take piano lessons later on as well as classical voice training…

CS: How do you fill your spare time while on tour?

JS: With lots of the business aspects that go on ‘behind the scenes’. It’s funny because many people just see you for the hour or so that you are on stage…There’s sooo much else that goes on: preparations, interviews, travel, practice, writing more material etc... I’m involved in many decisions that are made etc. So there’s NEVER a dull moment!!

CS : When do you find time for personal worship while touring?

JS: In the morning – when no one is around.

CS: Do you have an accountability partner or prayer partner to keep you encouraged and uplifted?

JS: Aside from my family. Rob, my producer, etc. has really kept me uplifted. Music isn’t an easy field…but he believes in me, the project and the talents that God has given me – and him. It’s very encouraging to have people believe in you.

CS: Do you sing anywhere else just for fun? Like maybe in the shower or while cleaning or driving, etc. And if you do, do you sing your own music or someone else's?

JS: This may sound weird, but I like to sing other people’s songs in the recording studio, while I’m waiting for the engineers to start recording me!!

CS: Do you find it strange to hear yourself singing on the radio or to see yourself in a video?

JS: I would say it’s exciting not really that strange. I’m grateful that the Program Directors want to play it and that the people want to hear it!

CS: What is the latest news? Any new CD's to be released soon?

JS: Well the CD: Lifetime Guarantee is finished and we're planning the next phase right now!!!

CS: Any plans to sign with a major Label in the near future?

JS: We’ve got some cool possibilities in the works ……… J

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

JS: YES!! Be YOU!! Talk to God just like you talk to your friends –develop a relationship with Him now…it’s the most important thing you can do in life. Don’t give up on your dreams.