By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Joseph Habedank’s faith journey drives a powerful message

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – Joseph Habedank has changed. 

Oh, he’s still singing Christian music and remains one of the best. After all, he’s been named Favorite Soloist in the Singing News Fan Awards eight of the last nine years. And he’s still closing concerts with his hit, “Here He Comes.”

But as we worshiped Jesus and enjoyed Habedank’s concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church on April 9, it was apparent he wasn’t the same artist we’d seen for the first time on the same stage back in 2018. 

We think he’s even better! He’s kept pace with culture’s musical tastes while staying true to the message of Jesus, earning the Singing News Favorite Soloist award eight of the last nine years.

The observation prompted Habedank to smile broadly shortly after he’d completed his set. “We are always trying to evolve musically and also stylistically and artistically,” he said. “We are able to do it and people are able to enjoy what we do.”

And enjoy the spring leg of his “The Church” tour, they do!  At Sand Spring a strong crowd sang along with a mixture of some of Habedank’s hits and songs from his two latest albums, Autobiography and The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman.

The title song of the current tour can be found on Autobiography.. “The Church” tells Habedank’s story of his home church. According to his website, “‘The Church’  brings to mind Cornerstone Baptist Temple in Dayton, Ohio, the congregation that formed the steady foundation for Habedank’s faith.”

It was during that time that Habedank became a huge fan of Chapman, perhaps the most popular Christian musician of his teenage years.

“Doesn’t he have great songs?” Habedank asked with a big smile. “He has been so influential in my life. Growing up, I loved Southern Gospel but when it came to songwriting and artistry, he was the greatest. I never thought I would be able to do this.”

Late in the concert, Habedank shared Chapman’s song, “Dive,” from the Grammy-winning Speechless album to express his feelings about God’s goodness after his mother suffered a major heart attack at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport last November. His mother is still working through rehab at her home.

“It’s been very difficult,” he said. “It’s been emotional for me watching her age and kind of go through this but I think God also used it to make me more tender, more grateful. I am so grateful for my mom’s life and I am grateful she is still with us. It can be discouraging but the perspective is that she is still living.”

Habedank said his mom’s heart stopped beating for 20 minutes. “I asked the paramedic, ‘How is she not brain dead?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.'”

Habedank doesn’t have to explain. He knows that every day with his mother is a gift from God. He’s experienced that same goodness in his own life for almost 13 years.

“I was a liar and a con artist. I have been sober 4,702 days,” he told the crowd, referencing his battle with addiction that prompted him to check in to Cumberland Heights Treatment Center in Nashville to begin his journey to recovery. (Habedank had shared his recovery testimony with this writer in 2018.)

Habedank shares his days of sobriety at every concert. 

“I have an app on my phone called ‘Days’ that tells me my days alive, days married and I am 4,702 days sober!”

Habedank’s testimony comes from an unwavering faith that has been sorely tested.

And that faith never changes even though the music through which he shares his message is sometimes different than it was ten years ago. And that unwavering faith allows Joseph Habedank to bridge the gap between different age groups, between traditional Southern Gospel and modern Contemporary Christian Music. 

“That’s the goal,” Habedank smiled. “I don’t want to be put in a box. I just sing Christian music.”

And that will never change.