Jennifer Knapp, who won a Dove Award for Christian music before coming out as a lesbian in 2010, performs her folk-rock tunes Thursday at The Village church in Hapeville, Ga.
Knapp came out publicly before the 2010 release of “Letting Go,” her first album in nine years, which had included a seven-year hiatus in Australia.
“I was just living my life in Australia considering who I was before God. It’s been helpful for me to take that time to become confident in who I am,” Knapp told GA Voice in 2010.
“One of the biggest problems for (the fundamentalist Christian community) is that I’m unapologetic,” Knapp said. “I think that they would be fine if I just admitted that I had homosexual feelings as opposed to the fact that I’m saying ‘Yes, I’m a homosexual and I still have my faith.’… I don’t and won’t justify myself or my faith.”
Knapp performs at 7:30 p.m. April 19 at The Village, 3418 Dogwood Drive, Hapeville, GA 30354. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Pastor Ray Waters of The Village, said his “welcoming and affirming” congregation, which is not affiliated with any denomination, is thrilled to host Knapp.
“I have always loved her music, honesty and song writing abilities,” Waters said. “I also admire that she had the courage to come out as a lesbian and not deny her faith in God.”
The Village currently has about 400 members with approximately 200 in attendance each Sunday, Waters said.
“We are a church that is open to all people,” he said. “We do not want to label ourselves as a totally gay or straight church. We want a place where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or background, can come and worship together as a family.”
The church’s current membership is about 25 percent LGBT, and Waters said he wants gay attendance — like all attendance — to increase.
“We would like to see those numbers grow as we would like to see our numbers grow over all,” he said. “Everyone is welcome…our slogan is a Perfect Place for People who aren’t!”
You can check out Knapp’s music here:
Top photo: After making her name in the Christian music scene, Jennifer Knapp returned from a nine-year hiatus and is now an out lesbian. (by Eye Photography)