Written by Regina Ender
God began sewing a seed in Christy Semsen’s heart to become a worship songwriter long ago. She had always loved music and had the desire to serve in the church, but other forms of ministry had taken precedence over songwriting. Semsen supported her husband in his work as a worship pastor and enjoyed volunteering as a director for children’s choirs for years. It was this volunteer role that earned her recognition, and Word Music approached her in 2009 to pitch them some ideas for a children’s musical. She knew then God was calling her to write musicals, alleviating her fear of failure and allowing her to jump into her dream career. Now, she is the exclusive children’s writer for Word Choral Club, sharing God’s word through songs with children and parents across the globe.
In her role, Semsen writes two musical and one Scripture memory collection of songs each year, now totaling 145 original published songs by Word Music over the course of eight years. Her work has earned her several prestigious Dove Awards, an accolade given by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding Christian music. Her work on Back to the Cross in 2015 and The Kingdom Connection in 2016 both won Dove Awards for the Youth/Children’s Musical of the Year, and she has also earned four other nominations.
Semsen earned her bachelor’s from APU in Music Theory Composition and Music Education with a minor in Spanish in 1998. Just for fun, she came back in 2010 to earn her master’s in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in worship leadership, and even then, she never thought her career would take the shape it did. She said this time was completely formative in her faith and ministry philosophy, really expanding her understanding of God. Looking back, she said she would not be who she is without her experience at APU, she and her husband would not be serving in the capacities they are at church, and she would not have the career she does now.
Semsen continues to volunteer at her local church, where she has been the children’s choir director for over 17 years. She also serves as the community choir director for the Burbank Community Kids Choir for children kindergarten through 8th grade.
Words of Wisdom: “Take advantage of every opportunity you are given but don’t be afraid to sit back and enjoy the experiences God gives you as well.”
