If you were able to attend Youth Congress 2007 in Charlotte, NC, you probably heard Mark Crowder sing! Mark was voted as the North American Talent Search Male Contest Winner. Apostolic Girl was fortunate enough to snag a quick interview and get an inside scoop on how started singing and his future plans!

*AG: Apostolic Girl MC: Mark Crowder

A peak at one of the pictures from Mark's Photo Shoot for his CD!

AG: Why don't you introduce yourself to us!

MC: Well, I'm 21, pretty outgoing.  I love music (obviously), and enjoy
hanging out with friends and just relaxing.  I live in Indianapolis, IN
where I attend Family Praise Center and go to IUPUI (Indiana University,
Purdue University - Indianapolis).  I graduate in 2008 and am
considering going for a Graduate degree.  I am going for Informatics
and Business with a music minor for my undergraduate degree.  For my
Graduate or Ph.D., I am planning on studying Business Administration. 
I am also very into the work of the Lord.  I preach out as well as go
to different churches to sing or minister at a special event or
ceremony.  I enjoy playing my piano, meeting new people, having quality
alone time, talking to Jesus, and acting silly. :)

AG: How long have you been singing? When did it first become a passion?

I have pretty much been singing all my life.  My mom says I was
training as soon as I was born.  She said it was all the screaming I
did as a child that allowed my voice to get so big.  I'm not sure if I
believe her.

I've known for a very long time that singing was my passion.  I guess,
it was the feeling of being able to touch somebody with my voice.  When
one finds something they can do well, it really makes them feel valued.
I always felt like an asset in the kingdom when I sang.  People would
be blessed or receive the Holy Ghost while I would sing as a child and
the Holy Ghost would flow through me like electricity.  I always knew
that it wasn't my talent that set me apart.  I never was extremely
talented.  But God blessed me with an anointing that not everyone is
blessed with.  I don't know why, but even now when I feel His anointing
upon me, I am so humbled because I know I don't deserve it.

AG: Was NAYC Talent Search the first contest you've ever participated
in?

No.  I was in show choir as well as concert choir in high school and
participated in many competitions over the years.  The Lord has blessed
me with many first places prizes.  In an estimated 30 or 40 separate
vocal contests, I have only lost probably about 5; and those were all
second places.  In show choir, they have awards for the best soloist
out of all the choirs.  I won that award many times while in the choir
in high school.  In one competition they wanted to give the award to
another girl, who happened to be in my choir, but they felt I was so
good that they actually bought a second trophy to give to me and called
us co-winners.  It was amazing.  I've had a lot of favor in my life.  I
was privileged to study at the top vocal school in the world on a full
scholarship for a year.  I left because I didn't feel like classical
music was what God called me to.  The Lord has preserved me through
trials and I am amazed at His work with my life.

AG: Tell us what it was like to sing in front of thousands of your
peers at Youth Congress. Was it nerve racking? What were your
thoughts?

MC: First off, I would like to say that singing at Youth Congress was like
nothing I had ever done before.  I was so proud to be able to sing in
front of all those young people.  It was also incredibly nerve racking!
There are very few times I have been that anxious in front of a
crowd.  The way it works is my stomach is all in knots right up until
the time that I get the first several notes out.  Then I am ok.  It's
smooth sailing.  It's just walking up there, making sure I don't trip
on the stairs, and looking out there and seeing all those pair of eyes
wanting to be wowed.  That's probably the hardest thing.  That's
probably why when I sing, I tend to close my eyes.  It's either that or
I'm actually praying the lyrics I'm singing.  But I loved it!  I love
being in front of crowds!  I love ministering!  It's such a fantastic
feeling!

AG: What are your future plans for a vocal career? How's the CD coming along?

MC: I am not sure where I am going to be going from here.  I have several pastors that want to have me at their church soon, but besides that my schedule has me finishing up my undergraduate degree and considering a graduate school.  As for the cd, I am practicing the provided music now, and hopefully I will begin recording either this month or in December.  There is a lot of work to be done to have a product by
January, though.  So pray for me that everything works out.

Who wouldn't be pleased about an interview on AG? :)

AG: Having a strong passion for music, or anything of the sort, can
truly consume your life, even if it's all for the glory of God. What
advice can you give to young people on how to make sure God always
comes first without letting their ministries take the place of a
personal relationship?

MC: Truly you must have a prayer life.  You have to know how to talk to the Lord.  It's such an overused phrase, but it still rings true.  If you
can't talk with the Lord you have no source of power or strength from
on high.  Also, you have no anointing.  God cannot bless a person who
is disconnected from His glory.  You must be plugged into to Him.  Also
reading the Bible.  For those that really want to know God you must
read His word.  The Bible makes a great reference when writing songs,
as well.  Fasting binds the flesh and gives new life to the spirit. 
This is key to making sure that you as a minister are truly being a
vessel for the Lord.  Besides those things:

1. Get in vocal lessons with someone who really knows how the voice
works.  I was in classical school for a year and it did wonders for my
voice control.

2. There really is something to be said for quality technique.

3. Get in the habit of drinking at least six to eight glasses of water
a day.  For water bottle junkies like me, that's four water bottles a
day.

4. Learn the piano or guitar.  It helps to be able to play an
instrument that can form chords at least a little when trying to write
songs.

5. Don't be afraid of criticism or getting better.  Someone just might
know more than you.  That's why it is of value to have an excellent
vocal teacher at least for a little while.  That way you can more
accurately decide which critiques would be of benefit to listen to, and
to which critiques not to listen.

6. Have confidence in yourself.  Anyone can sing.  Only the greatest
have confidence in God first, and a complete confidence in themselves
that they can do it and be great at it.

Interview Achieves

Fallen Chains (Pentecostal Band)

Sis. Thetus Tenny (WNOP President)

Sis. Gwyn Oakes (UPCI Ladies Ministry President)

Shenae Huba (AG Editor)

Sis. Balca (Missionary's wife to France)  

Sis. Mary Simmons (Missionary's wife to Thailand)

Sis. Siez (Sis. Debbie Foster, Single's Director)

Sis. Brainos (Future Missionary to France)

Sis. Debbie Sanders (TCG Editor)

Sis. Paula and Richea Richardson (Missionary wife and daughter to Madagascar)