Christian singer-songwriter Jennifer Jeffries is headed to Hollywood after performing an original song about her faith journey on the 22nd season of American Idol.
The show’s 22nd season premiered on Feb. 18, 2024, with music stars Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie returning as judges; Ryan Seacrest serves as the shows’ host.
On the third episode of the season which aired March 3, the 17-year-old tried out before the three judges. Jeffries opted to sing an original song about her faith and how God has transformed her life. She titled her song, “Change My Ways.”
“I’ve got a Bible on my desk,” Jeffries’ song began, “With no highlights, creases, pages are still crisp.”
She continued, “I have been feeding flesh. I have been living in sin. My mouth’s been running wild, and I’ve been acting like a wild child.”
“God, I know you’re there,” she prayed. “Make Your ways my ways. I’ll sing your praise for all my days. I’ll finally change, Lord. Make Your ways my ways.”
You can watch her audition below:
Jeffries’ original song highlighting the importance of reading Scripture, repentance and redemption reached at least 5.11 million viewers, according to programming estimates.
The judges remarked that they were surprised by her unique voice. “I was not expecting that voice,” judge Luke Bryan said, adding that she has an “amazingly unique voice that I don’t think we’ve ever kind of heard.”
Jeffries earned “yes” votes from all three judges, sending her to Hollywood where she’ll face dozens of other American Idol contestants.
In a November 2022 post on Instagram, Jeffries shared more about her reasons for writing “Change My Ways.”
“In the song I sing about the misconception I had of God and Christianity,” she wrote. “Only being loved by God while in the church. Being a flaw in God’s design. Being dammed to hell for all my wrong doings. I have never been more glad to be so wrong.”
“God’s love isn’t paper thin. It’s not confined to stay between four walls,” she added. “We feel we have no worth, but God thought we were worth dying for.”
Congratulations to Jennifer Jeffries on making it to Hollywood; it’s inspiring to see her use her God-given talents to proclaim God’s mercy to millions.
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11, ESV).
If you want to better understand the Bible and be part of God’s redemptive mission, check out RVL Discipleship: The Study.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
American Idol Judge Praises Contestant: ‘You’re Never Scared to Tell Everybody Your Faith’
‘He Has a Gift,’ American Idol Winner Noah Thompson’s Victory Proves Power of Friendship
‘There Was Jesus’: Singer on ‘American Idol’ Surprised on Stage by Birth Family
Photo from YouTube.
