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, camp meetings, 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 grade 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. 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. 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 are 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…
A few more things you might not have known about Maria. . .
Q: What's your favorite Starbucks Drink?
A: Bottled water... lol i'm not a big coffee drinker... don't hate me!
Q: Favorite Verse?
A: 1 Samuel 16:7 - "For God sees not as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart!" :)
Q: When you were 5, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be a teacher, singer, and a ballerina.... lol i got 2 out of 3.
Q: What is your favorite high school memory?
A: I think the best memories are just all the times i spent with my best friends! once you leave high school and move onto college it's alot harder to see each other so you def appreciate those times more!
Q: Favorite color?
A: Used to be hot pink now it's banana yellow... lol
Q: What is an interesting fact about yourself that people don't normally know?
A: i'm short! 5'2 ;) i duno why people look at my face in my myspace profile pic and think that girl must be tall... :) when they come to my shows they are always suprised that i'm short... i call it space efficient!
Artist Links
Maria Long Online
Maria @ Myspace
Maria @ Shoutlife
CCM Magazine
