“What I'm Not" is culmination of Leah's journey in this musically venture called ministry.
Though she felt God’s calling on her life, her vision of what that calling would look like took some time to get in focus. Now that her mission is clear, Leah delivers with relentless energy and passion.
Leah can identify with those who are seeking their purpose in Christ. Her heart for service and her passion for working along side churches enabled Leah to find her purpose in ministry. She strives to equip and energize the body of Christ through both word and song.
Listeners are challenged and will be inspired to step outside church doors and into the community; using the talents God has given them to influence others. Leah understands everyone’s God-given talents are as different as the calling he has placed on their lives. The struggle with her perception of her own musical talent and God’s plan for her was the biggest challenge for her ministry. She is eager to share what she has learned with others to encourage them to press on.
The title song on her third album ‘What I'm Not’ tells the story of well... what Leah isn't."I'm not this package, not looking for fame and stardom, nor am I what ‘stardom’ is looking for. I'm not the person you'll see on a fashion magazine. I have a simple message and I tell my story: God is using me in spite of ‘What I'm Not’. I've traveled throughout this and other countries telling that story. God has opened so many churches for me, more than some label artists get opened. He has also placed people in my life that have helped me along the way.”
“In the past, I struggled with the ‘What I'm Not’ concept, yet God was calling me.I was sure that if He was calling me, He must be expecting the best. I told Him: ‘I am just me.’, avoiding my calling as I worked at being the best. Then God asked me this question: ‘What is "the best" in your eyes’? I didn't have an answer. I just knew I didn't want to let Him down.”
Once Leah reconciled the fact that God was looking at her heart and her attitude rather than her music industry status or her pursuit of perfection, her ministry took off.
As she put it: “It's not about how much talent you possess but what you do with what you have been given. I figured out a little biblical secret and I want to pass it on.” Quoting portions of the lyrics from “What I’m Not’: “‘What I'm Not’ is really ‘Who He Is’ and ‘What I Want to Be’, because.... ‘Where I'm at’ is ‘Where He Is’ and ‘He Loves Me for Me’ and ‘For What I'm Not’. That is way cool! Give it a moment to sink in. You'll get it!”
Realizing that God is not just in the business of calling only the equipped but equipping those he calls, Leah traveled successfully for 8 years with an ensemble performing in big arenas with major label artists.
As Leah pursued solo work on the side, she found freedom and more opportunities for ministry. “As an Independent Christian Artist, God and I get to call the shots. I have the freedom to go where God leads and I wouldn't want it any other way.”
God has led her to venues across the eastern half of the United States. She has ministered at churches and conferences and performed at countless coffeehouses, fairs and festivals.
He also directed Leah to minister in South Africa and Asia. He expanded her ministry and her vision during the last two years. Leah signed with World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization, as an artist associate. God uses her passion for the impoverished around the world to birth awareness and compassion in her audiences resulting in changed lives through child sponsorship. “I have seen the devastation and hopelessness in the eyes of children in the squatter camps of South Africa. No clean running water, no toilet facilities, no nutritious food, minimal clothes and no school. The only thing in abundance is disease and death. We can all be missionaries without leaving home by making an eternal impact on a child, a family, or a community on the other side of the world through World Vision. That really gets me excited.”
"I've been singing all my life and traveling for the last 16 years. I get to do this with my husband of 22 years and I love that we can grow together in this ministry. We count it a privilege that God would allow us to join with pastors and churches in their ministry.” Delivered with spirited enthusiasm the songs on ‘What I’m Not’ crystallizes the message Leah has been telling over the years. Her message is aimed at encouraging and inspiring those who will hear.