Stephen Hurd
September 2006, BlackGospel.com

Gospel recording artist and songwriter Stephen Hurd serves as the Assistant Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, Maryland.

A music lover since early childhood, Stephen began taking piano lessons in elementary school. As his love of music developed, another passion began to take root in his young heart. 

Although his parents were not Christians, they supported Stephen and his older brother and two sisters when they began attending AWANA meetings at a local church. It was through this youth outreach that he learned of God’s love. Stephen recalls that he was in the fifth grade when he prayed to receive Christ into his heart one Thursday night at a weekly AWANA gathering.

Stephen says that he “didn’t see a drastic change” immediately following his profession of faith. However, as he matured, so did his hunger for the things of God. “I went after it like a dog after a bone,” laughs Stephen.

By high school graduation in 1986 (from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts), Stephen had entered music ministry as a choir director for a small country church. He also enrolled in Howard University where he majored in music education and minored in voice.

Stephen was consecrated as a minister in 1988 and continued serving at this same church for a total of 10 years. He was content to stay there, enjoying the strong music ministry that he had helped build. However, God had a different plan in mind. He chose to move Stephen out of his comfort zone and into a place where his trust would be tested.

Although he heard God telling him to go, Stephen wrestled with his decision and recalls feeling utterly “broken” when he finally resigned.

Filled with doubt, he couldn’t see around the bend in the road and wondered where God was leading him.

“I thought I was living by faith,” says Stephen. “But He had to teach me that when I truly trust Him, the possibilities are limitless. God sent people into my life. Invitations to minister poured in… plane tickets would show up on my doorstep.

Throughout this time and in the coming years, Stephen began building relationships with renowned evangelists, serving on ministry teams of the Reverend Jackie McCollough, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Dr. John Kenny, Bishop Paul Morton, Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr. and Tommy Tenney to name a few.

From 1992 until 1995, Stephen served as the music director for the late Rev. Donald Vails and the DC Choral Kaleidoscope and the Capital City Mass Youth Choir.  In 1993, Stephen recorded his first song, “Calvary” with Rev. Vails.  In August of 1994, he recorded “Phillipians 4:13 (Stand)” with the renowned Gospel Music Workshop of America Mass Choir, and later recorded “Lord and King” with the GMWA choir in 1996. That same year, he formed Corporate Worship, a 15-member worship team with whom he would later record a self-titled debut in 1999 and In The Overflow in 2001.

Stephen eventually launched his own publishing company and ministry known as "Hurd the Word Music."  Since then, he has worked with Christian and Gospel artists all over the world including Tramaine Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, Calvin B. Rhone, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Karen Clark-Sheard, Ricky Dillard, Donnie McClurkin and many more.

Stephen eventually signed with Integrity Gospel and released the critically-acclaimed album, A Call To Worship in 2004.  His most current project, My Destiny, will release internationally in October of this year.

But, even as his recording career continues to grow, so too does his love for ministry in the local church.  Stephen sincerely believes that God is preparing the Church for His return with songs of praise and worship.

“Healing, deliverance, salvation and restoration come as a result of bringing sacrifices of praise to the throne of the King of Kings,” says Stephen.  

© 1997-2011 Black Gospel Music Clef Network, All rights reserved
AN iHs Enterprises, LLC Web Property