Frequently Asked Questions
Many people wonder about an organization like AOM and inevitably questions enter the mind. We've discovered that many different people actually come-up with the same questions. Isn't that odd? Anyway, we have provided questions and answers to those questions for your convenience What is Aaron Odom’s Mission Statement Aaron Odom Ministries, Inc. began in 2002 with a burden for broken, hurting people. When we prayerfully plan a concert, we aim to create a setting where worshippers will be encouraged to worship with their whole hearts, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in a culturally relevant way, to teach the Word of God, to minister through music and song, and to prepare and equip God's people for ministry and service to the church, community, and world What are the beliefs of Aaron Odom Ministries?
About God -- God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God. Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19
About Jesus Christ -- Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-31; Romans 1:4
About the Holy Spirit -- The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Ephesians 5:18; John 14:17
About the Bible -- The Bible is God's Word to us. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspired it, it is the Truth without error. The Bible was not only written to educate us, but to change our lives as well. Psalm 119:19; II Timothy 3:16
About people -- People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God. This attitude, called sin, separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
About eternity -- People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or liveeternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be in God’s presence forever is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15
The Inspired Scriptures -- The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired and infallible revelation of God to man and the authority of faith and conduct. This ministry accepts the Bible as the revealed will of God, as the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and is the basic foundation for Christian doctrines.
The One True God -- The one true God has revealed Himself as the "I Am," the Creator and Redeemer of mankind.
The Deity of Jesus -- The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God.
The Fall of Man -- Man was created good and upright; however, man voluntarily disobeyed God. As a result, man was spiritually dead and separated from God.
The Salvation of Man -- Man's only hope is forgiveness of sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is by faith through grace and demonstrated in repentance.
Ordinances of the Church – Baptism is the outward sign of the inner change that takes place when a person accepts Jesus as Savior. In the New Testament baptism was by immersion. The Lord's Supper consists of taking the bread and the fruit of the vine which represents the body and blood of Jesus.
Sanctification -- The act of separation from that which is evil and dedication of one’s self to God.
The Church and Its Mission -- The Church is a group of baptized believers who represent Jesus on earth and it’s mission is to carry out the Great Commission.
The Blessed Hope and Millennial Reign -- The resurrection of the just is the blessed hope of the Body of Christ. The Second Coming of Christ includes the rapture and a return to earth by Christ with His saints for a thousand-year reign.
The Final Judgment -- There will be a final judgment at which all men will be judged.
The New Heaven and Earth -- All of God's children will reign forever in a new heaven and a new earth.
Can you tell me more about Aaron's wife, PJ?
PJ (Yes, that's her real name) is my wife, my manager, and my best friend. I met her when I was singing at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She worked in the church office and was in the choir there. After a courtship in Louisiana, New York, and Florida we were married in Palmetto, Florida in December 2002. PJ travels with me pretty much everywhere to help keep me in line spiritually, physically, and mentally. Having the spiritual gifts of discernment and compassion, she is the Director in charge of Vision of Life, of Aaron Odom Ministries, Inc. This ministry within a ministry helps people who have been through all kinds of abuse and feel like they have no vision. Born in Alexandria, PJ is a true native of Louisiana. She loves spicy Cajun food, had a pet alligator as a kid, and was "born on the bayou". Sadly, PJ was not endowed with a middle name. When she fills out applications that insist on one, she enters P as her first name and J as her middle.
How Did I Get Started in Christian Music?
During my undergrad at LSU, my desires were to exalt myself so I sang only classical music in order to accomplish those things. I thought that success and fame were the ultimate goals in life. However, God had been knocking on the door of my heart for four years, but I wasn’t listening. I heard God speaking to me in the spring of 1999 when I was singing professional opera in Little Rock, Arkansas. Later, I continued to hear Him when I went home to visit my family and led the music in my dad’s church. The Lord spoke still further when I went to New York City in 1999 to become the Music Minister at a small church in Brooklyn. When, I gradually surrendered my will to God’s will, he began to change my desires to be more like his. God began to give me a burden for the broken, and hurting people I was surrounded by. After God brought me to a place where I focused more on others than myself, He began to steer me into a music ministry for Him.
When and how did you know that God was leading you to go into a Christian music ministry?
It was one beautiful summer day in 2001, when I was performing for an opera program in California that I decided to take a bike ride. I rode down the mountain where I was staying and during my ride, I saw a small church whose doors were open on a Saturday. Curiously, I went in and began to visit with the pastor who was cleaning. At the end of our conversation, I asked him if I could sing in church the next day. He said, “Well, I’ll have to hear you first.” So, needless to say, he had me sing three songs and give my testimony in church the next day. I believe that that Sunday was a turning point in my life. I felt a sense of purpose that I had never gotten from opera.
How many concerts do you perform a year?
So far between 60 and 70 a year.
Did you always know that you wanted to be a singer?
No. When I was about five or six years old my father used to ask me (especially when his friends were around), “Aaron, what do you want to be when you grow up?” I would say, “I want to be a preacher with a green tie.” Of course, my dad is a preacher, and I guess I had idolized him one special day when he had on a green tie. Who are your parents and what do they do? My mother, Melissa Forney, conducts creative writing workshops and is a published author of books for children and teachers. (www.melissaforney.com)
My father, Davis Odom, is the pastor of Church of the Highlands in Jackson, Mississippi. (www.cothms.org).
Where did you get your education?
I went to Louisiana State University where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance, and I received my Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Manhattan School of Music, in New York City. I also attended, The Music Academy of The West, The International Opera Academy in Rome, Italy, and The Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh, England.
What instruments do you play?
I like to say I can play the guitar, but I really just make an attempt. I do play the piano, only by ear though. As a matter of fact I play the piano for a few songs in my concerts.
How do you go about selecting the songs you will sing on a recording and at concerts?
It’s kind of strange how this works. I guess I should give the credit to the Holy Spirit. It seems that songs that have a piercing message and are powerful in nature always find their way into the concerts. I like high songs, and songs that put the audience on the edge of their seat. However, I believe that there are some songs that seem to have been anointed by God no matter how virtuostic in nature. With prayer, and receptiveness to the Holy Spirit, God provides these anointed songs when the time is right.
Is there a specific message you really want to come across to your audiences?
There are too many hurting, broken, and lonely people in this world for us to be spiritually complacent. That is, God wants to bring us to a place of healing and restoration for several reasons. One, because he loves us, two so we can be more like Him, three, so that he can work through us by leading us to help more hurting, broken, and lonely people.
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