Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Glasper, Jr..
Hi Nate, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started playing the piano in the church by age 8. I was gifted with the ability to hear chords, and vocal parts, create sounds, and write music. By the time I was 13 years old, I was entrusted to lead the choir at church. I always knew music would have a huge role in my life moving forward. I never had private lessons at the time, but I vowed to use my gifts in the church. I was a part of music bands and choirs in both Middle School, High School and College. While on my collegiate journey, I dreamt of providing a space for youth and young adults, who grew up like me, to learn music theory while also teaching them how to use their musical gifts in their local churches. In 2007, I wrote a proposal to The Growth Center Inc., a faith-based 501c3, to launch Camp Judah, a fine arts day camp designed for youth, ages 8 – 18, from different backgrounds, cultures, and denominational experiences which offered them the opportunity to excel in their gifts and talents. Educators in the areas of music and fine arts partnered with the Growth Center Inc. to help serve these students and offer personal and leadership development through the creative and fine arts. Through this endeavor, we hosted 500+ youth and young adults in the city of Grand Rapids, MI for 13 years. Today, many of these former campers are serving their communities as leaders in the areas such as: Music Educators, Recording Artists, Professional Dancers, Entrepreneurs, Visual Artists, Music Producers, Film Producers, Videographers and Photographers and more.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My life has been full of sudden transitions and overwhelming situations. One that affected me the most was losing my mother at age 13. It was very challenging navigating through life for a long period of time. I’m grateful that God kept my family together and allowed me to connect with a church family and friends that helped to steer me in the right direction and keep me focused. It was a challenge for me to make decisions on life and career goals but as I kept Christ at the center and fully submitted my goals and plans to Him, I began to feel more grounded and confident that He would order my steps. The trials developed my strength and character. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT) The road hasn’t always been easy, but my testimony is that God has been there with me through it all.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I serve as Worship Pastor at Grace for the Nations Church. I’ve been a member since 2004, I’m grateful for the years of pouring into our congregation and serving our worship teams. Through the ministry of my local church, I’ve been blessed to travel the world leading congregations, discipling worship teams building bridges in intercultural worship. From 2015 – 2018, I had the opportunity to teach Gospel Choir at Grand Rapids Christian High School and shortly after, I led the Gospel Choirs at The Potter’s House Middle School & High School from 2018-2021. These opportunities birthed the passion to educate students on the history of gospel music as well as the message behind it and the culture. I currently serve as the director of the Calvin University Gospel Choir (2016-present) The Gospel Choir at Calvin is 1 credit course where students can sing in a variety of styles, including spirituals, African music, anthems, as well as traditional and contemporary gospel music. The choir is made up of students from diverse backgrounds from all around the world. These students get to perform repertoire from this genre in an authentic way by sitting at the feet of the culture, applying stylistic nuances, and making connections to similar characteristics in other musical forms. I enjoy teaching this style of music because it develops and strengthens the aural musicianship skills of the students through learning by rote, they’re embracing vocal improvisation and engaging in call-and-response engagement. Over the years, I’ve heard everything from “Gospel music is not real music” to “Gospel music is not “academically worthy”. At the end of the day, it encourages me to change the narrative and create an experience for my students to engage with this culture, and keep moving forward with what I believe God has called me to do. Most recently I’ve been invited to serve on staff at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship as a Resource Development Specialist and Campus Worship Associate.
Any big plans?
I will continue to disciple the next generation of musicians and worship leaders. I’m hoping to write/record more music and maybe write a few books. I’m currently looking into doctoral programs in the areas of Sacred Church Music, African American studies, or even Ethnomusicology. I’m inspired to dive deeper into gospel music history and culture as I’m educating others and allowing them a space to experience the beauty of the message of hope and the rich history of this music for themselves. I’m grateful for my wife LaShaunda and our daughter Nyla. We plan to continue to raise her up to love God wholeheartedly and create spaces for her to develop into the young woman that He has called her to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://worship.calvin.edu/about/staff-directory/nate-glasper/
- Instagram: @NateGlasperJr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nate.glasper
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-glasper-jr-61157b122/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NGGospel101
