I didn't come from a Christian home. If you want to know one of the Christian heroes that shaped my life as a young rebellious teenager - it was CARMEN.
His music inspired me, taught me, and helped me grow as a believer.
He will be missed, but today this former bar performer turned Christian singer that touched so many lives, including my own, is with the Father and will see the fruits of his labor.
@messenjahofchrist yep. He did cover it all. He was amazing.
@Rinati me too. I remember when I was 15 years old, I promised God that if I got a car, I would only play Christian music in and use it for His purpose. Carmen, Ray Boltz (who graduated from my high school), Petra, Michael W Smith, DC Talk, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, and even Sandy Patti were the ONLY ones I jammed out to in my car as a teenager.
@sinbach I still get chills when I hear his song "The Champion"
Andy B
@Berrybunchfamily @sinbach ME TOO! That's my favourite! (along with The Courtroom)
@bethany he told stories in the way that we were talking about the other day. The Courtroom, The Champion, The Witch's invitation, Lazarus...I think the first Christian music video I ever watched was "Satan Bite the Dust." Believe it or not, my parents - who were not Christian - would not let me listen to Carmen because they said, and I quote, "If you are going to listen to Christian music - then listen to Christian music. Stop listening to that rap crap pretending to be Christian music." Upon thinking about it today, I realized that I started off secretly listening to Christian music that was not allowed in our home. So is it so weird that I do what I do today??? Did Carmen contribute to my illegal Christian activity today?
Maybe so
Maybe so....
@sinbach EXACTLY. His story telling was unmatched. They may all be a liiiiiittle cheesy, but it doesn't really matter when everything he wrote had such truth to it. I'm always skeptical of people who don't like Carman (should add it to my left handed, watching movies with subtitles list)
As for your illegal activity.... no. You'd have found your way into rebellion with or without Carman. That I'm convinced of😂
@sinbach great to hear that you found this man to help you grow as a beliver! He found his way to Finland as well. I remember that I listened to some of his songs (maybe on a cassette tape?)... they were so different from everything else I had heard.
@sinbach carmen in spanish is a name of female. Is your artistic name?
@matoyuela @sinbach You're right matoyela that Carmen is a feminine, Spanish name. He was called Carman.
@sinbach Carmen will be leading us all in rapping and dancing before the throne!! What fun that will be! Never got to see his concert but I'll be loving it in Heaven!
@sinbach Oh, I didn't see this! Carmen came out with "Radically Saved" the year I met the Lord in 10th grade. The album came with a free album to give away. I had the poster "Radically Saved" stuck to my locker door... it pretty much said quickly everything that had happened to me. "The Champion" and many others shaped new ways of communicating the Gospel. I performed Christian Mime all throughout Europe and one of my favorite teachers, Todd Farley of Mimeistry, performed "The Champion", see link. Well Done Carmen.
@sinbach man, I loved Carmen so much growing up. Didn't matter what your music interests were - rap, rock, country, hymns - Carmen had you covered. He wanted to reach everyone with the Gospel through his music!