In a society where talking about God is quickly becoming a thing of the past, Maria Long brings a different approach. She is up front about what she believes and will share with anyone who asks. Her lyrics are personal and vulnerable about her experiences and struggles with God. They are clear because Maria never wants people to be mistaken about where she stands. “Christ is everything to me!” she states. She views her music ministry as more than just an opportunity to perform the songs that God has given her. She believes that God has given her these musical talents to speak out on issues that are affecting teens today like: suicide, sex, drugs, and lack of purpose. Through powerful testimonies and sharing the stories behind her songs, Maria gives her audience a meaningful experience that they can all relate with, and challenges them to STANDOUT for God.
Music has always been a huge influence in Maria’s life. During her childhood years her parents were in a traveling singing group and toured all over the US. At age 2 Maria wrote her first song. She has performed on countless stages for many church events and programs. Her passion for making music that speaks to the heart came early in her life when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age 12. In high school Maria traveled around Texas as a singing recruiter. Then when she attended SWAU in Texas she traveled to youth conferences, retreats, high schools, camps, campmeetings, and churches all over the U.S. sharing God and music with many teens her age. In her Junior year in college, she decided to become a student missionary on a tiny island called Yap. She taught 6th and 7th grades that year and found a new passion for her life in addition to music. It was there that she made the decision to become a teacher.
After getting her degree in Elementary Education, Maria became a teacher and found her career very fulfilling. During her time as a teacher, in addition to teaching a full load, she also taught guitar and choir for grades K-10, and still found time to write and perform Christian music throughout Arkansas and Texas. After three years in Arkansas, God led her into a public high school ministry position for Andrews University in Michigan. Maria spent her time traveling and performing throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She also established “The Basement”, a weekly public high school ministry in Berrien Springs and then began to train and mentor teens in starting their own ministries. After being told by teens over and over that she needed to make a CD and that her music meant so much to them, she realized that God was telling her to move forward with her music ministry.
Maria recorded her debut album Here With Me in the summer of 2006 and released it October 14, 2006 at the Attic Christian Rock Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For this album, she found her songwriting inspiration in various places. Some of her songs originated with time that she spent with God in His Word. Others were written through personal struggles she was dealing with. “In Love” was a song that came when Maria was just overwhelmed by God and His Amazing presence. “Here With Me” and “Inside” were written because of experiences that she has had ministering to teens from “The Basement” who were struggling.
It is this kind of personal touch that is the trademark of Maria’s music and ministry. Through Myspace.com, she ministers to hundreds of teens and answers questions of those who are having difficult times or are simply seeking someone who cares to give spiritual advice. Maria Long has a bright future ahead of her. She says often, “God is blessing me faster than I can give Him credit.” God is opening many doors for Maria’s music, her life, and ministry and as long as He continues to open them she will step through…
Hey girl!!!! Man it's been too long! Hit me back when you get a chance...still tryin to get things worked out to bring you out...what's your schedule like?? love ya!!!!
HAHAHA, truly that night was fun. i remember when i found your page a few years ago, and i was like WOW she's famous! and from little rock! i was thinking, "i bet i'll never see her in person." lol
i'm thankful we got to meet. i'll keep praying for your ministry :D Get ready, cuz God ain't through with you YET!!!!!
Maria. I got this from mi amiga in the PH, Ma.Teresa..it blessed me lots and I hope it does you.
Much thnx for being my friend.
God bless you till His nxt advent!
Abrazo!
w/♥,
Tom
from Ma.T
Do You Want To Be Happy?
What are you waiting for?
Most people are waiting for something "special" that will make their life great, so they can be happy.
Ask yourself: have others had this, & are they all happy? No, they're not, & it won't give you lasting happiness either.
Happiness is not determined by external circumstances, but by internal circumstances.
Everyone chooses how happy they are by what they choose to think about.
Your attitude is determined by your perspective, which is determined by what you think about. You choose your focus so ultimately, you are the one who chooses whether to be happy, or not.
Perspective is what the Beatitudes (Matt 5) are about. Seeing a bigger picture than just this one small moment of time. (The Beatitudes are where Jesus explained how some are blessed, or happy even in difficult situations.)
(The word we translate as "happy" in the New Testament is usually translated as "blessed.")
You won't get happiness by chasing what the world has to offer. It has already been tried and found wanting.
You will never be happy as long as you are self-centered. A focus on self is guaranteed to prevent happiness.
Right after Jesus performed the menial task of washing his disciple's feet, akin to cleaning toilets today, He told them:
JOHN 13:15,17 15 I did this as an example for you. So you should do as I have done for you. 17 If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.
You will be happy if you help others. If you take your focus off yourself. That's what Jesus taught.
SAY THIS: I choose to focus on God and be thankful and happy.
A happy New Year! Grant that I May bring no tear to any eye When this New Year in time shall end Let it be said I've played the friend, Have lived and loved and labored here, And made of it a happy year. I wish you the best in 2009.
HAPPY NEW YEAR MARIA!! MAY YOU LOOK TO THE NEW YEAR WITH THE WONDERMENT & EXCITEMENT OF A CHILD!! Thanks for being a member of the Dark Horse family this year! You are appreciated very much! God bless, ~Steve
Happy New Year Maria! Your music continues to touch my life, I still have "Deliver" playing on my profile, to remind me of my constant fight against sin, but as you know it also reminds me of personal battles with demonic warfare. Thank you so much for sharing your God given gift!
Just wanted to drop by to see how things are going on your end. its been a long time since i've heard from ya. Hope all is well and the Lord is blessing your ministry, life etc.
Darling Maria, It was great talking with you Christmas day. Mommy,Rachel, Buzz and I have been enjoying wonderful blessings this season. Before our trip to Philadelphia I experienced a Christmas miracle. A pastor of a very humble church called me to invite me to be a part of a Christmas program for his church. He told me that there would be aproximately 41 children present and no gifts for them. I just had two hours before the program. I was impressed to get the gifts for the children without knowing the ages, the gender and the exact number of children that would be present. When I started to get the gifts I literally was driven to keep getting more than 50 gifts, the gifts needed to be wrapped, classified by gender and ages. A young laddy was willing to help me and we wrapped the presents and finished just a second before the start of the program. While the program was going on I was praying that the gifts choosen were the right gifts for every child and that there would be enough gifts for every child. The moment came to deliver the gifts. The kids were separated by age and gender. I witnessed a miracle that night. God managed to choose the right gift for every one of the fifty one children that were present. there were exactly the number of gifts for babies, for boys and girls and to complement their respective ages. Any one who has been envolved with programs such as this know the infinite probabilities of something like this working are zero. But I tell you "WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE". The number of gifts was exactly what was needed. No more no less. Praise be the Lord. I believe in Miracles. Precious, keep singing for the Lord. He is worth all of our praise and more. WE LOVE YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY IN SONGS. LOVE THE BUTTERFLY SONG. DADDY, MOMMY, RACHEL AND BUZZ.
Hey Maria! We missed you guys too! We were a little bummed we missed a reunion with everyone but things are crazy now so it would have been hard.... We did have a great Christmas though. I'm very thankful for this life and a great family! Love You!!!!XOXOXO talk with ya soon!!!!
Thanks, Maria! Yea, we're getting married August 9, and I'm super excited!! It's been a long and crazy ride, with that crazy boy James. But it's all been worth it. Thanks for the comment - take care!
i pray you and ryan had an awesome CHRISTmas! you're a blessing as well and i pray we are able to keep doing what God has called us to do. No matter what!
Merry Christmas Maria! God bless you and ur family! and i hope fernando told u what i told him to tell u when he went there for thanksgiving!, if he didnt well this is what i said "ur so awesome! and ive heard u sing at our Alvarado church once and it was wonderful! u have a beautiful voice!;) well u've prolly heard that a million times but i just wanted to say it lol anyways take care!
