Stephen Marshall

The chief of police ushered a 26-year-old mother of three into his office. She sat in front of his desk anticipating the worst. He cleared his throat and leaned forward.“Do you know the kind of illegal activities that your husband is involved in?”
Her eyes drifted downward. “Yes,” she said, “I have an idea.”
He studied her face before continuing. “I need to be up front with you. My department is gathering evidence to arrest your husband.”
She avoided his eyes.
“Look,” he said, “let me give you some friendly advice—leave this city, leave that man and never look back. Take your three little kids and start all over again.”
She fidgeted with a loose thread on her skirt. “But . . . but where would I go?”
“Ma’am, I’d find a spot some place far away from here—as far as you can go.”
Numb with the implications of what she was hearing, she managed to thank the officer before drifting to her car. As she approached the aging vehicle, she caught the eye of her oldest son in the front seat. She fought back the feelings of shear panic. “Dear God,” she whispered, “please protect my kids.”
This page from Stephen Marshall’s childhood catapulted him down the long road from brokenness to hopefulness. Growing up the eldest son of a father with mafia connections, Stephen's youth was spent on the run. While his dad turned to drugs to deaden his personal demons, Stephen's mother embraced Jesus. She taught him that even in the midst of adversity, Jesus could provide peace, joy and unconditional love; that God is a Father to the fatherless. This set the course for Stephen’s life and music.
At the age of seven, Stephen began to find his solace as a musician. Songwriting became a safe emotional outlet. Growing up in an area of Canada devoid of Christian radio, he gravitated toward Don Henley, the Beatles, Sting and fellow Canadian Bryan Adams. While their music captivated his imagination, something was missing. One day Stephen saw Johnny Cash singing a gospel song on TV and discovered the missing piece: music that had spiritual power to transform lives. Meanwhile, Stephen honed his skills as a musician and songwriter throughout high school and studied commercial and jazz music at Mohawk College for two years. He has subsequently toured the globe with his blend of guitar-driven, story-telling songs, ministering hope across America, Europe and South Africa. Fast-forward to 2007 and the release of his new CD, Truly Amazing.
With a passion born out of the challenges of his youth, Stephen chronicles his life’s story—which is ultimately a tribute to the blessing of our Heavenly Father. In his view, "I can't go back in time and help my dad. But I can try to affect the hearts of people today who need to hear that God is a redeemer. With love, the door is open for healing, forgiveness and life-changing hope. God promised that even if our own parents forsake us, He never will. Every child of this generation, no matter how old they are, needs to know the wonders and power and blessing of our Heavenly Father."