Steve Grace
Twenty years ago he was driving trucks and singing in bars. Today, Steve Grace is an Australian Gospel artist with eight albums and a million miles of concert tours behind him. Communicating to thousands of people each year his tours literally go anywhere and everywhere, from remote villages on South Pacific islands, to major venues in big cities.
// THE GRAND ADVENTURE //
Steve Grace is an exciting and vibrant Australian singer/songwriter with a heart for world evangelism. Twenty years ago, Steve Grace was driving trucks. Answering the call of God, he pioneered a concert ministry that has taken him to hundreds of cities and regional towns throughout Australia.
Steve’s vision soon developed into an international ministry with opportunities each year to perform at concerts, festivals and crusades before thousands of people in nations across the globe. This humble ministry has been used by God to see many come to a genuine faith in Jesus Christ and many inspired to take up the challenge of living life in the grand adventure God has called us to.
Over the years Steve has shared the stage with artists like Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Rich Mullins, Amy Grant, Carman, Randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy. And more recently, Steve has become a featured artist at crusades conducted by evangelists like Greg Laurie and Franklin Graham.
For Steve, his ministry is very much an adventure led by God, and strongly supported with huge steps of faith from his family, Kerrie (his wife) and their three sons, (Cheyne, Ryan and Jordan).
// MUSIC //
Steve Grace is one of Australia’s leading contemporary Christian musicians. In 1996, the Gospel Music Association of America voted Steve as the International Artist of the Year and the Australian radio industry has awarded him two Pater awards for songwriting.
Australia’s biggest selling country music performer, Slim Dusty, honored Steve by recording Port Augusta for his 100th album. Slim was one of the featured artists at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Steve’s album Children of the Western World (1988) achieved gold status in Australia. It was the first Christian album by an Australian artist released on CD. The album, Follow, was recorded in Los Angeles and features members of the Franklin Graham Festival Praise Band. His latest album is New Day Coming, recorded in 2004. Steve’s music has been released in the USA, New Zealand (Parachute) and Australia (Word Australia), and is available to order online or download on the iTunes Music Store.
// BACKGROUND //
A story that starts in the highlands of New Guinea sounds exotic to most people. But when the plot thickens to include driving trucks in an industrial Australian city and launching an international music platform, this is when it sounds like a major film script. Australian singer/songwriter, Steve Grace has lived a colorful life. He spent his early years on a Wycliffe Bible Translators mission station in New Guinea before moving to Wollongong in New South Wales for his teenage years.
At 14, Steve learnt guitar and started writing songs and singing in local churches. After secondary school, he began performing in a number of bands, busking on the streets of Sydney and developing a solo career ministering in pubs and churches. Soon after, he met Kerrie who became his wife, partner, and mother to three children. When his parents sold the family hardware business, Steve began driving trucks. With time to himself on the road and time to think, Steve’s songwriting took a turn writing material that strongly relates to the ordinary man on the street.
I used to write some really deep songs, until I found that people responded to the really simple ones that I thought were a bit corny,’ he says. I began to see the effect that a simple song could have on the right audience, very much in line with the parables Jesus told,’ Steve adds.
This soon became the resource material for Steve’s debut album Young Australian Man (1986).
Things changed quickly. Steve felt the call to leave truck driving and move to Melbourne with his wife and children. There he began working on a second album Children of the Western World (1988) with the Little River Bands, Beeb Birtles. This became one of the biggest selling Christian albums in Australia, and the largest by a contemporary artist. US company Reunion issued the album, which spawned several radio hits including Big Dreams and Children of the Western World . It was also released in Canada, Europe, and the UK.
True to his missionary upbringing, Steve pioneered a concert touring ministry to Australian country towns in the early 90’s, traveling the vast expanses of the Australian continent to serve local churches in their task of reaching people with a contemporary message of hope and faith.
These tours got churches together, some for the first time under the banner of a Christian concert. And Steve challenged them with a vision for evangelism in their community.’ The key to this on-going work is to simply get out there and serve,’ he says. With new doors opening all around the world, Steve is very conscious of the great commission of Christ to simply ‘Go!’
Whether it is small outback town halls, concert halls in large cities, or the international stage, Steve’s love for God and people shine through his music and life. He is strongly committed to serving the church and its task of evangelism.
41 Responses to “Steve Grace”
Comments
Hi Steve!
I just noted that you spent boyhood days in PNG. Having pioneered there in the highlands for eight years in the 1960′s I knew David Grace, pilot with MAF. Is there a link?
Keep up the good work you are doing.
John
Hey Steve this is Hailey Custer was litening to your Cd and wanted to say hi and that i miss those days in oklahoma with all of you..
Love,
Hailey Custer
ps..your amazing
Hi Steve, I am looking for a copy of your CD Children of the Westerend World.
My Address is 15 Seligan St Albany Creek BRIS 4035.
If you can send me a copy I will always cover the costs and would like to make a donation towards your ministry.
Thank you for your consideration
Mal
Hi steve,
I had a cassette way back in 1998 – I like the song ‘Children of the western world’. However I don’t have the casstte and haven’t heard your music since than. I would still like to hear more from your albums. Is there any agency in Papua New Guinea selling your albums that I can purchase?
Cheers,
Yaso
hi steve,
thank you for coming to Rockhampton last year. seeing you and your band perform was the first concert i had gone to. hopefully i will see some more concerts again. my friend jeanette and her husband got me your autograph. thank for writting on it to never give up. i have been through a lot of struggles lately and reading that never give up on the piece of paper reminded me that God is with me no matter what i go through thanks again and may God bless you and your family.
God bless you love Bianca
Hi Steve! I am from Nagaland,India and want to let you know thatYou are my fav singer and I have been blessed by your songs.my prayer is that may you continue to lift His name and share the love of God as you journey through..God bless!!!
Hey Steve, thanks for coming out here to Hooper Bay, Alaska! Hope you enjoyed your stay here, wouldn’t mind seeing you perform out here again. I would like to get a copy of that Hooper Bay song, do you know where i can get a copy? Thank You very much and God Bless you and your family! : )
Steve I see you are playing at Ashgrove in May
Going with a really Special Gal – Kerri Keefer
Would like you to include – Lessons of the Heart in the program, if possible.
Either way, know we will be blessed by the night.
Continue in God’s Grace Always
Blessings
Al & Kerri
Just want to say that the performace you did last sunday in PNG (Lae) was the best ever. Hope to see more of that someday.
Cheers!!!
Hi Steve, just want to say that your performance on sunday the 10th of May in Lae (PNG) was the best ever, especially the song Highlands highway and the other songs i can’t recall the titles to.
Your doing a wonderful job preaching the word of God through music. Hope to be like you Some day.
God bless your ministery and family.
Hi Steve,
My Husband and I saw you tonight (23rd May 2009) at Ashgrove Baptist and we thought what a great performance of songs you did and was amaze with the message of God that flooded through
If you are needing of a Registered Nurse on your Missions let me know.
All the Best in your ministry
Darleen
hey steve
my name is ebony and i am 14
i love youre music and am doing an assingment on your cd that you did with the overlanders
what grenre would you class your music and what inspored your lyrics.
i would love it if you could drop me a line
Hi Steve,
Thanks to you, Jordan and the other band members and support crew for playing at Tamworth last Friday (Will Graham). Your music was great – inspiring and uplifting. How naturally it comes to us who listen to worship with joy through music. You’re all doing a great job in spreading the good news, God bless you all and your families in your travels and continuing ministry. I bought Heritage and it’s getting a lot of play time!
Rachel Wylie
Hey Steve, It’s been a while since we have been in contact with you. Nigel & I now live in Childers and have a motorcycle shop in Childers and also Pastor a church in Childers. We heard on radio rhema that you were going to be ministering in Hervey Bay again and were wondering if you were coming through Childers. We’d love to catch up with you again and also see you about possibly ministering with us in Childers sometime. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love & Blessings,
Nigel, Jo-Anne & Grace Allwood.
Dear Friend
Pr. Steve,
Praise be to the name of the living God for the great work that you are doing in his kingdom, its my prayer that this email finds you well in the Lord.
By the names, Im Joseph Senoga Richard pastoring a, local church here in Uganda , East Africa , and Im interested in joining your ministry. And I hereby welcome you to Uganda for an outreach ministry.
We love to welcome you dear friend Pr. Stevetogether as a team to Uganda , Africa for an outreach ministry crusade, conference, seminar and Church Planting, Equipping and Training pastors and church leaders, and to have you dear friend here in Uganda for an outreach ministry .
May the Lord God continue to richly bless you Amen.
In Him
Joseph Senoga Richard.
+256-772-090765
Hi Steve
I too would like a copy of Children of the Western World. Heard it as a teenager now have a teenager of my own to help guide in life. Now live in Melbourne is there any good outlets down here to hear your songs and messages?
Address: P O BOx 257
St Albans Vic 3021
Hi Steve, Myself, my 86year old mum & 2grandchildren listened to you in Townsville on 20thJune. We bought your CD Heritage & my grandson Matthew (you might remember him shaking your hand)plays the first song “How Great Thou Art” over & over again, he learning all the words. We look forward to seeing you up north again some day. Keep up your good work with Gods help. We loved your trendy son Jordan, he sounds just like you. God Bless you both & your family too. Regards Lorraine
Hi Steve,
thanks for putting PNG in your heart. You have done what few have done – that is coming back to the roots and serving and ministering the the Lord to unpopular communities that really need Jesus. I have had the opportunity and privillage of seeing you performing LIVE at Living Light Foursquare Church in Pom and and am wondering in you could add Kimbe to one of your schedule!
I bought two of your CDs (Better Day Ahead & New Day Coming). Keep doing the great work in His calling and May He continue to bless you and your family.
Shemuel Pombi Koim.
Hi Steve,
I was blessed with your simple songs that had the local Papua New Guineans raise their voices singing, “Mi wantok bilong you na you wantok bilong mi…Mi wantok bilong Jisas, Jisas emi wantok tru..”at the John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby…My wife and I were there at the Joyce Meyer conference and were indeed blessed by you all as team in ministry.. I do remember your song bout the “Children of the western world” during the 90′s and as I’m writing I can vividly recall all the words except the chorus and it was an honor to have seen you live in Port Moresby…Anyway, Just want to say, that you have a great passion for God and keep on keeping on…THANKS for investing in PNG…Christ in you is your HOPE OF GLORY..!!
Austin K. Polin
hello Steve, I first heard you in Paraburdoo WA I think in 92 when you toured, have your CD’s praise God for your ministry.
Love the words to your song”Lord we’re praying for this city”
Hi Steve, Although I haven’t seen you since the Black Sheep HDFDC Rally in San Luis Opibo, CA @3yrs ago, I want you to know I think of you and am holding you and your ministry up in prayer. Also, I want to share with you that my wife ‘loves’ your New Day Coming album. I give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for allowing our paths to cross, and hopefully will be blessed to do so again in the future. ___ In God’s care my friend, Badger
G’day Steve – good to see you’re still busy spreading the Good News down under. I know it’s been a long time since I saw you last – was it that UCB conference in Brisbane? – but now I’m involved in local community radio playing CCM on a Sunday afternoon, so I’m dusting off the CDs and giving you some more airplay – ‘New Day Coming’ is in the show next week. Be blessed, and have a good New Year.
Trevor – Gospel Highway Productions, also UCB UK
G’day Steve- I would like to see a dvd released of one of you concerts!
God Bless all the Great Work that you Do !!
Bill
Hi Steve , Just thought I would share with you a little trivia .
We grew up in Wollongong and you came to the Lighthouse Christian Centre a few times and sang. One of the times , my 2 sons sang with you as part of a childrens choir .
My eldest son is now a worship director at Quest Community Church , Lexington, Kentucky USA. From simple beginnings and a with heart to lead people closer to Jesus, so people can see him for who he REALLY is, your lives are proof that as we seek the kingdom of God first , He truly does give you the desires of your heart. May God continue to bless you and your lovely family as you share His love for a dying world, through your music. Oh and thanks for your music , its wonderful.
Jewell
Ps( More trivia… ok now stay with me ….my uncle John Murphy is your Aunty Pam Graces brother. We’re almost related .. hehe!! Ok not really .. but almost ….)
Hey Steve
Thanks for coming to Smithton and playing tonight, Steve – you were awesome in an intimate setting and I think everyone was really blessed. I had seen you in the 80s when you were touring Liberty Rd and it was a different type of concert with a full band, drums and guitars, but tonight it was nice to hear you and the electric lead guitarist playing in the church at SCF on a Wednesday evening. I remember you back then signing my Bible and writing Never Give Up! Which for some reason I had never forgotten… Thanks for coming up and greeting me and the girls before the show and signing the Milestones box set. I told you I had an old cassette of your early work and wanted CDs to replace them and you pointed me to the box set, great value $40 for 4 CDs! I was truly blessed and hope to see you again at some stage in your journey. Enjoy the rest of the tour and Go with God.
Hi Steve
We really enjoyed your concert at Easterfest last weekend. Thanks for sparing some time for a brief chat on Saturday morning – our son was rapt when you sang “A Driving Song” to him! Keep up the great work – 20 odd years and still going strong. May God bless the rest of your tour.
Hi Steve, I was recently introduced to your music by some family in Hervey Bay, and I just wanted to say that I love it very much and appreciate your uplifting and encouraging messages. God has blessed you with an amazing ministry and I hope your music will reach many ears. Good onya.
Jay – Missouri, USA
Hi Steve,
It’s me, Elizabeth, ‘wantok bilong yu’. My family and I first met you at Capital Bible Church in Canberra in 2006 when you attended Christmas service with us. I was studying at ANU then.
We are now back in PNG. Ruth and Henry are fine. We were here when you came up with Joyce Meyer last year (2009), but could not come up and meet you because of the crowd. However, we did tell our wantoks here that you were our ‘wantok tru’. We still have photos from Capital Bible Church, Canberra. Henry still remembers that time you called him out from a croud in Canberra where you were invited to perform in 2007, and told them that he was your ‘wantok’.
Anyway, thanks for the CD’s you gave us. We love ‘Children of the Western World’.
We hope to see you in PNG again. This time we will make an attempt to meet you.
Lukim yu gen sampela taim.
Elizabeth, Ruth and Henry
Port Moresby, PNG
The song you sing that says “the days are coming, when some of our friends will go to hell” has been ringing in my ears for two days now, think Gods trying to tell me to get a move on. I think you know my brother in law – Andy MacFarlane?
Thanks for that song Steve
Took the kids to see you in Townsville last night. Can’t believe I have been going to your concerts for over twenty years! Love the ‘Heritage Album’ and all the great old hymns we sang last night. Praise God, that you still have the energy to express his love in music. Praise God that the younger generation have the vision too! My 8 year old thought some songs were a bit loud, but still enjoyed the concert.
hi steve, i am from the highlands of png and greatly love your song the highlands highway. i travel up and down the highway frequently and like the song very much
keep up the good work
Dearest PASTOR STEVE,
SHALOM!
greetings from Philippines!
it was a blessing founding out your website and upon seeing your facebook’s file and WOW!GREAT!Your’e such a man of GOD.Hope we can be friends here in Philippines as a partner in ministering the GOSPEL.By the way,I am Pastor Nathan C. Bendoy.Been pastoring here for almost 13 yrs. now,with my wife Jeanive and our 3 kids in GOOD NEWS CENTER CHURCH,OROQUIETA CITY,MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL.
rEALLY LOVE YOU BEING A MUSICIAN TOO.I really love playing my simple guitar here.God bless and more power!
In Christ,
nathan
Thanks for stopping by the red centre again. Happy birthday for Tuesday.
Dear Steve
Thanks for a really great concert in Darwin om the 18th of September. I regret not coming forward when invited but something (I don’t know what) held me back.
I purchased the Heritage CD and have played it many times. It is a wonder it hasn’t worn out. My favourite track is It Is Well With My Soul.
Thanks once again for a great concert!!!
Godspeed
Sam
So pleased you are headed this way. Your Heritage Tour I’m sure is right from the heart of God and touching right into the heart of our nation. Bless you, Bless you,Bless You Steve, Kerrie and all of your team. You are choosen for a time like this to bring the Gospel in down-to-earth, pure Aussie simplicity. The weight and depth of it all is so encouraging as we know you are coming to south-west W.A.
Praying for your protection and the fulfilment of the Lord’s great and precious promises to you all and to all the hungry hearts that come and connect with the team.
Dinee Shone (Bunbury – see you in Busselton)
Dear Steve
We still have very fresh memories of your visit to our place (Kongo Coffee, Chuave, PNG) and the time we shared together here. I have been trying to get copies of Highland Highway for some time now without success. CHM do not appear to have them to. Please let me know how and where I can get some copies.
Jerry Kapka
Kongo Coffee
Chuave
PNG
This web has realy blessed us. Steve is realy agift. Pastor John.
Hi Mate.
I Love your website
Chat to ya soon
Bless ya
Trav
I was going through some of my old CD’s and I found a signed copy of Children of the Western World and One Night in a Million. If my memory seves me correctly I think I bought these at the Belgrave Convention Center. I now live in the USA.
Good to hear your music again.
Blessings
Dave
Hi Steve,
My family and I attend the Living Light Foursquare church, Kaugere in PNG. It was indeed a blessing and joy to have you minister to the congregation here on Sunday ( yesterday 18/09/11). Your performance with your sons brought tears and joy to me, knowing what a blessing it is that God is using you to minister through the songs you write and music. He is doing the same with your boys. Glory to God.
You are truly a great man of God and I pray that you will continue to come to PNG to minister and serve our God Almighty.
It was an honour and priviledge having you at church. We are blessed.
We bought a CD and love the music. I loved the performances with the P2UIF band, as well.
Keep shining for the Lord!
God bless you.
Florence
Not a comment, but, Steve, is your father still going?. We were in Bible College together and I want to contact him if possible. Thanks