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Hello there! My name is Kelly Bradway. Thank you so much for visiting my giving page to learn more about the ways you can partner with me in serving musicians in Nashville!

On the Cru City: Arts & Culture team, I will be working specifically with musicians in Nashville, hoping to share the love of Christ with them and encourage them in their creative endeavors. In short, I will be a missionary to musicians! 

As a musician myself, I am intimately aware of the hardships that musicians experience. The pressures of performing, exhaustion from life on the road, separation from friends and family, and constant income instability take their toll on a musician’s heart, mind and body. Though these struggles existed long before COVID, the pandemic made things even worse, negatively impacting the mental health of 70% of music professionals. I recently gathered with some fellow musicians, and I was shocked and saddened by the depth of their pain. Struggles with addiction, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, financial insecurity and loneliness permeated their stories.

But God has not forgotten these musicians. I know this because he has not forgotten me. He has been with me through some of the darkest seasons of my musical career, reassuring me with verses like “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am the Lord your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). He has surrounded me with a loving community, opened the door to valuable resources like counseling and creative growth, and I believe he is now sending me to walk with others musicians in Nashville to share the love of Christ with them. To let them know that he has not forgotten them, and that he is with them and for them. 

My vision for this ministry includes the following:

• To combat loneliness and isolation by creating a welcoming community where musicians and creatives can come to know Christ, grow in a relationship with him, and then go share his love with the world both with their lives and with their music. 
• To encourage creativity and connection with songwriter nights and artists hangouts.
• To cultivate spiritual growth in those who already have a relationship with Christ through bible studies and discipleship. 
• To provide resources and direction for those struggling with mental health issues. 
• To pursue diversity and racial justice in the musical arena and beyond.
• To cultivate a volunteer team of Christians to love + lead this community alongside me. 

I will be working as a part-time staff member with Cru so that I can continue to pursue my own musical and creative endeavors. I feel this will allow me to glorify God by continuing to use the musical gifts God has given me, and also allow me to stay engaged with the authentic experience of musicians in Nashville. As many of these musicians may not consider going to church, I will have a unique opportunity to meet musicians where they are and be a part of their lives in the venues, recording studios, and places where they feel most comfortable.