User:Madison7

Melanie Hart Christian singer/songwriter/evangelist Born January 29, 1972

Like the psalmist David, who poured out his heart to God in praise, in anguish and in awe, you will sense a depth of faith and passion in Melanie's musical style. By her own admission, her songs are gifts from her Heavenly Father. Out of the crucible of failure, pain, and the refining fire, come words of grace and mercy. Out of the truths of the God's Word that renew the mind and restore the soul, come songs of joy and passion. Throughout her childhood years in Ottawa (Canada), music, especially singing, was a hallmark of daily life. Family celebrations almost always included singing, guitars and family harmonies. Two of her uncles, Gord Johnson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Lyle Johnson (Ottawa, Ontario) are songwriters and recording artists. Also, thanks to her mother's (Carol Kilgour, Westbank, BC) many years of ministry to churches and woman's groups as a soloist and guest speaker, Melanie was blessed with a model of a godly woman who communicated the Word in ministry. Early in life, Melanie and her brother, Rob Kilgour (now Pastor of Worship and Administration, The Potter's House Community Church, Westbank, BC) sang with their mom in church concerts and children's musicals.

During her Junior High Graduation, Melanie seemed destined for ministry from the stage when she sang Amy Grant's Arms of Love and spoke of her faith during her Valedictory speech. In her mid-teens and during her first missions experience with Child Evangelism Fellowship, (CEF Canada/Eastern Ontario), Melanie's songwriting was sparked by the incredible experience of teaching young children in backyard Bible clubs about Jesus and seeing them give their hearts to Him. Later, during her graduate year from High School, Melanie composed a song she performed at graduation ceremonies (Confederation High School, Nepean, ON). As well, Melanie had the privilege of being a part of an Ottawa based group called Destiny.

During Canada's sovereignty debate with Quebec in 1994, Melanie felt compelled to write a song about national unity, ignited by media reports of the possible separation of her country. She then recorded and performed this patriotic and inspiring song at various rallies across Canada, receiving radio play in the nation's capital, Ottawa, the day of the vote.

Through what she would say was a God-appointed meeting in an airport, Melanie met Dr. Walter de Sousa, founder of Missions Evangelism International in 1998. Their friendship and mutual passion for communicating the gospel led to Dr. de Sousa's invitations for Melanie to join his team in ministry across Canada including, Oliver, BC, Rocky Mountain House, AB, and Brantford, ON. Although geographical circumstances have prevented recent joint ministry, God has given Melanie a great mentor and friend in Dr. de Sousa and both hope to have opportunity to minister together again, Lord-willing, in the not too distant future. (See the Ministry and the HIMM Fund)

In 2000, Melanie gave birth to Madison Grace (The Beauty of A Girl) and parenting coupled with running a business created a span of time where songwriting and music ministry took a back seat, for a season. During this time, she enjoyed ministry in her home church of Summerland Baptist Church, as a soloist and on a music team.

In the spring of 2004, God called her husband Jim to Tbilisi, Georgia for work, and Melanie and Madison followed shortly. The new thing had begun to take shape. The only clue Melanie had that God would do something new in her life in this foreign country was the piano that her husband Jim insisted on having in their home - and the landlord provided one! It turns out this black baby grand piano she recently discovered is labeled (in Russian), Red October! All the songs of freedom in Christ, redemption and grace were given to her at this piano, crafted many years ago in communist Russia! Only God does stuff like that.

Shortly after the Hart family settled in, The Tbilisi International Church Fellowship (an English speaking non-denominational weekly fellowship service for believers in the international community living, working and doing ministry in Tbilisi) asked Melanie to be their Worship Leader. This proved to be a blessed reentry into music, lessons in leading and leadership, spiritual growth, as well as a "forced" honing of her piano skills. Melanie considers this to be a great honour; to lead believers from all over the world into a corporate time of worship to the Lord through music. As well, Melanie is thrilled to have the opportunity to do ministry with her hubby Jim who plays guitar on the team.

Now 18 months and more than 25 songs later, God has given Melanie a new passion; to be a voice in the wilderness in a part of the world where contemporary Christian/Gospel music style is A New Thing, and through such, a communicator of the gospel through song.

Now at the age of 34, this, her 30th Anniversary of her personal relationship with the Lord, she believes the mission has only begun. Her story and adventure in Christ now continues as Melanie follows where God leads, as God promotes and as He furthers this ministry... stay tuned as God does A New Thing.