Jonathan Cain, longtime keyboardist for the rock band Journey and the composer and lyricist behind the song "Don't Stop Believin'," has shared how his now-wife, pastor Paula White, led him to Christ.
During a recent interview with CBN, the 66-year-old artist shared how, growing up, he always wanted to be a priest. However, he rejected Christianity after his grade school suffered a devastating fire in which 92 students and three nuns were killed.
Instead of entering the ministry, Cain turned to music, and joined the iconic rock group Journey, penning two of the band's greatest hits: "Faithfully" and "Don't Stop Believin'".
However, God continued to pursue the artist. During a plane ride, the 80's music star met Paula White, senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Florida and spiritual adviser to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The two began dating, and thanks to Paula's influence, Cain decided to be baptized and re-dedicated his life to Christ.
"I wanted to become a true follower of Christ - not just a part-time Christian," he told The Blaze. "And I realized that was what it was going to take to be a spiritual covering for a woman of God like Paula White."
Cain, who has also performed with The Babys and in Bad English, added that if God wanted to see him renew his faith, ending up married to a minister is the only way that would happen: "You know, the Lord has a sense of humor," he said.
At one point during their relationship, White asked Cain to lead worship on a cruise. During the experience, he discovered that he was comfortable singing Christian songs, and this inspired him to write the title track for his latest album,"What God Wants to Hear."
"The Lord swiftly gave me the lyrics I needed," said Cain, according to Religion News Service. "I didn't know what the music was going to be, but the gist of it was 'Let me sing what God wants to hear, let me praise what God wants to hear.'"
Cain's new album, "What God Wants to Hear," which releases Oct. 21 on Identity Records, includes tracks like "Bold in Prayer" and "Deeper Than Deep" and marks his first solo release since 2006's "Where I Live".
In a separate interview, the singer said reconnecting with his Christian faith was central to the creative process.
"Only God can take a mess and turn it into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into victory," he explained. "I've always been seeking out songs since I was young. I never had any idea how rich the Bible was with imagery. I got lost in it. It feels like I'm just starting to believe again."
He added, "I hope it inspires people-that they are worthy, they do have a shot at something special, at something great," Cain said. "It's not closing the door, it's just staying enlightened and awakened. ... This is my love letter to [God]. It's my thanks for the grace that he gives me, that's all."
