Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

“God plants dreams in your heart and in your soul for a reason…” – TJ Pompeo

Growing up, TJ Pompeo had a devastating experience that could’ve permanently skewed his spiritual vision. Thankfully, through a myriad of circumstances he realized that the only way to truly see clearly was to keep his eyes focused on the Cross and to give his life and dreams to the One who set him free…

Editor’s Music Pick: Below take a listen to TJ’s song “Tomorrow” (ft. Corbett) about waiting on God’s timing for your life and dreams. It’s one of my personal faves from TJ’s album The Pre View that you can download here for free.

At age 15, TJ embraced his passion for music and started stepping into the rhythm and purpose God placed in his heart by producing and writing songs. As he matured and honed his craft doors started to open for him to share his music on a wider scale. During the summer of 2011, he was discipled by Cross Movement Records group Level 3:16 and embarked on a tour around the nation. Since then, TJ has traveled the world, touring in England, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Uruguay, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and many more, and he’s had the privilege of sharing stages with many incredible artists like Da T.R.U.T.H. (check out a video of them performing together below).

TJ joins in on Da T.R.U.T.H’s song “Hunger Games” at the Impact12 Conference:

I first came across TJ’s music through the Impact Movement (an amazing organization we’ve been supporting for the past few years on Dream in Soul) and we’ve previously posted TJ’s song with Level 3:16, LOVE. The fresh vibe he brings (he describes as a mixture of hip hop pop, soul and R&B that can’t be put in a box) and sound messages in his music will impact people of all ages. In this candid interview TJ tells us about his journey, overcoming a tough experience in his childhood and how he’s learned to trust God with his life and dreams. Here’s just a preview into what makes his heart – and music – beat…

Dream in Soul: We know you do music, but music isn’t who you are- so let’s start off with who is TJ? How would you introduce yourself to us, where are you from, what moves you, etc.?

TJ: Right, so like you said, “TJ” is my artist name and that’s what fans know me by. Everybody who’s known me for a while just calls me TEEJ. TJ is my real name, and it IS short for something, but you’ll only know what the “T” stands for if you’re friends with me on Facebook. =D I’m 22 years young. I’ve got roots in Long Island, NY, but I was raised in the small city of Harrisonburg, VA. I’m all about family, and the one that I have is absolutely amazing. They’ve all been so key in getting me to where I am as a young man and as an artist. I’m also big on family because I’m very Italian. It’s just who we are. One big happy (and loud) family. Along with my family, my friends and my mentors are equally as incredible. They’ve without a doubt been my motivation through life, music and all. They encourage me consistently, and I’m so grateful for them. What else??? Hmmm. I love cheese sticks, having slap-boxing fights with my friends, and collecting rainbow colored gumballs (JUST kidding… Kind of). My favorite show is the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Denzel is by far my favorite actor. One of my goals in life is to visit all 7 continents. Oh, and I’m a sucker for romantic comedies. Sorry fellas.

Dream in Soul: Can you give some background about your story and how you came to know Christ, how you got started in making music then transitioned to dedicating it to God? Did you start out writing music & producing on your own or were there people instrumental in mentoring you? (Can you also share the significance of the way you write your artist name?).

That’s a long one, but I’ll try to not write a novel. As far as my artist name goes, like you said, there is a story behind the way I’ve decided to spell it. When you think of a capitalized letter, it typically symbolizes something of importance, or something that has significance. Someone’s name, celebrities, the name of a city or state, a type of car, a notable product brand, etc. I decided to make the “t” in my artist name lowercase and the “J” uppercase because I wanted it to symbolize that I have no significance without Jesus. TJ is nothing without Jesus. The “J” in my artist name represents Jesus Christ in me. It’s the only letter capitalized in my artist name because of what I stated above… His name is and always will be more significant than ANY other name to ever exist. My own obviously included. To put it simply… I suck without Jesus.

My story has a very common beginning though. I grew up in church, but never fully understood the concept of actually “walking with” or “following” Christ until I was 18. My life prior to 18 was full of bitterness and anger towards God, mainly due to things that occurred in my upbringing as a little boy.

When I was 8 years old, I was sexually molested by someone who I knew very well. It was absolutely devastating… That event would prove to shape who I would be for the next 10 years of my life. From the ages of 8-13, every single day was a Christian version of Halloween for me. I would wear the mask of Christianity on the exterior to appear like a “good kid,” but on the interior I was angry and I could have cared less about God or Jesus. When I was 14, I decided that I was sick of wearing the mask.. I wanted to live “my” life the way I wanted to live it and ultimately do what I wanted to do. This is also the age where I started experimenting with the typical peer pressures: Party scene, alcohol, drugs, chasing girls, etc. At this time, I also noticed that I really enjoyed the musical genres of Hip-Hop and R&B. All of my family was/is musically inclined (my dad, all three of my older siblings, and all six of my older cousins). They all played a significant role in getting me started with writing music…

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The vision God placed in your heart isn’t just for you… What’s the message He’s given you that others are waiting for you to deliver?

Lives may depend on it, so envision it, write it, dare to take action on it today even if it’s just a small step of faith. Follow His lead and move forward into your destiny, bringing others with you into purpose & Truth – all will be revealed in His time, but it’s time to prepare the way for Him & make a move:

“Then the LORD answered me: Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk 2:2-3

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

For, ‘In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.'” Hebrews 10:35-37

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:6-11

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Above: Actor Ernie Hudson with one of the latest designs from Dream in Soul Creative Apparel. Click here to get this and other inspiring shirts…

“…the fulfilling of who you are and your purpose for being here is not found outside, it’s trusting God to move you, to inspire you…” – Ernie Hudson

Lately Dream in Soul has been busy shining a light and spreading inspiration at various events through speaking or representing our Dream in Soul Creative Apparel line (stay tuned for more updates on the blog). Here’s Actor Ernie Hudson with one of our latest designs “Live, Love and Dream for a greater Purpose” at a recent event; you might know him from one of over 100 movie and TV roles – of which he might be best known for his role in Ghostbusters. Ernie’s also an inspiring man of faith who played the voice of the apostle Peter in the “Word of Promise” audio Bible.

Ernie grew up thinking he’d be a minister, but then acting came about after trying different things and not feeling as if he found his sweet spot. When he got to college he took an acting class and felt right at home. Ernie shared encouragement on purpose and dreams in an interview with TBN:

“When I read the Bible it’s the Spirit, it’s the knowing that, it’s the fulfilling of who you are and your purpose for being here is not found outside, it’s trusting God to move you, to inspire you – to move through inspiration. To want the things that you want is a wonderful thing but trust in God to guide you to that and things will work out perfectly…but unfortunately sometimes you fear – when you start feeling fear then it’s not the right direction.

Sometimes in desperation we try to reach out and find things outside of ourselves and trust other people who are trying to sell us something. You really need to listen to the inner voice and know that you’ll be guided and the right thing will line up for you – it always has for me. But if you’re looking for someone out there…put not your trust in man.”

Watch Ernie’s interview where he talks more about his journey into purpose below:
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The Music Ministry Coach created by Ron Cross is a great resource and vocal training service for anyone who feels called to music ministry and needs guidance in knowing how to grow vocally and spiritually. The website features great articles that touch on a variety of topics in a candid and relatable way, like “Talent vs. Skill vs. Anointing; Does God really care?” and “What makes a good singer? 2 things you should work on”.

Ron Cross, The Music Ministry Coach, has been a trained, certified voice instructor and vocal coach since 2005. He has dedicated most of his life; over 30 years to serving in the music ministry in many roles.

Below Ron talks about the one thing every great singer (or any other artist) avoids…

Ron works with Christian and Gospel artists, soloists, groups, Praise Team members and Choir members who are struggling with common physical and mental limitations that keep them from answering God’s call to take their music ministry to the next level. Through specialized training clients realize their desires for greater vocal abilitiy and more confidence so so they can be a more effective witness in their ministry.

Ron also works with beginners and younger people who have a passion for singing, and remarkably gives them courage to sing even when others told them it may not be for them. He recently posted about this inspiring story of how he is helping Natalie, one of his 16-year-old students who dreams of being a singer, but who other instructors labeled and set aside as “tone deaf,” how to better control her voice.

Ron says of this story: “No matter where you are in life or what you’re trying to do, there is a message in this video for you. It’s one that goes far beyond singing and touches the heart of everyone who has seen it so far. I urge you to watch it and share it with someone else. Especially if you know someone who has similar challenges. Can anyone learn to sing? If you thought the answer was no, you’re about to have your whole perspective changed.”

Watch and be moved as 16-year-old Natalie who was labeled “tone deaf” learns how to sing on pitch:

For more resources and to learn about Ron’s services visit The-Music-Ministry-Coach.com. Also become a part of the Facebook page where you can get even more inspiration, interact with Ron and the community of hundreds of other singers and musicians, watch vocal training videos and possibly win free 30 minute on-line coaching sessions for being the Fan Of The Week.

More About The Music Ministry Coach

Have you been praying about your singing and your music ministry?

 

Do you have a burning desire to:

• Overcome physical limitations that hinder you from Giving God your best?

Nothing is worse than being up singing to the glory of God, the Holy Spirit is moving, people are being blessed..and slowly you start to feel your voice going. It’s a terrible feeling to end a song before you feel God was ready for you to. Even worse is when someone calls you to come and minister and you have to decline because you’re too hoarse to sing. Past clients like you understood that training would give them the skills and abilities to overcome those hindrances so they could effectively minister anywhere and any time God opens the door.

• Gain more confidence so you can stop operating in fear about your gift?

Probably the single biggest deterrent keeping people from moving to a higher level of music ministry; even when they’re certain God is calling them to step up; is the lack of confidence in your own ability to do it. You may feel like you lack the abilities or skill to step forward and walk into that next realm of ministry, and nothing anyone can say can convince you otherwise. For many of my past clients, vocal training has been the answer. Just like your salvation, confidence comes in what you know that you know. Vocal training has been the key for many people.

• Be more EFFECTIVE and to stop feeling like you’re in self when you’re up ministering?

That’s the bottom line, isn’t it? It’s the reason for everything we do. It’s the reason for all the other reasons. Let me be honest with you for a moment. I’ve been a singer all my life. And I can tell you there have been very few times I’ve walked off that stage feeling like I was completely out of self the entire time I ministered. For most of us, even when everything is going great and the spirit is high, there is some small part of us deep inside that is always worrying about our voice. Will it hold out? Will I be able to hit that high note coming up? Will I crack? Am I screaming? Am I on pitch? Mental distractions keep us from flowing effectively when we’re going forth in ministry.