Rodney Griffin      


        “Christian music encourages a weary saint," Rodney Griffin told this writer, in an interview with The Christian View. "And, when we go through a storm, we always seem to go back to a Gospel song to help us and encourage us. Secular music doesn’t lift you up when you’re low. It doesn’t have any hope at the end of it. When the song is over, it’s over. But, when a Gospel song is over, the hope has just begun.” 
        A prolific songwriter, Griffin has written more than 300 songs since 1989 and has been named Songwriter of the Year for several years. 
        “While I’m writing it, I’m singing it,” he explained. “I’m excited about what the folks are going to experience when the song is done. Basically, I’m just sharing a feeling with them that I got. I was the first one to experience that feeling of whatever the song is talking about. I’m excited as I’m writing it, singing it, and rehearsing it, to know that someone else is going to have the same vision of the Lord that I just received."
        Griffin, part of the acclaimed trio Greater Vision, began singing at an early age.
       “My first influences were Glen Payne, George Younce, the Cathedrals, back in the 1970’s,” he said. “I knew that I wanted to do this, but I did not feel adequate, talented enough. I had such a love for it, and music came naturally to me. I didn’t have to struggle with it. I could hear parts early on in life. Then, as I grew in my walk with the Lord, I saw how the music can help encourage folks in their walk with Christ. So the combination of my desire to sing met up with my vision of what Gospel music can do to encourage a weary saint. And I’ve been blessed to be singing full-time for many years.” 
      Griffin was saved at the age of 12 in a Sunday night service at the church where his father pastored. “For the first time, I realized that, if I were to die that night, I would spend an eternity in hell separated from God,” he said. “The only relief I could find was to step forward during the invitation and take my pastor, which was my Dad, by the hand, and say I needed to be saved. It’s incredible to know the Lord—to know how He cares about the little things in life. A true friend knows the little things that matter to you. The Lord has shown me just how much He loves not only meeting my needs, but giving me blessings along the way that only He would know about. He has shown His faithfulness all these years.” 
      Griffin's favorite verse of scripture? “I love Psalm 27:4,” he said. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. To stand and behold the beauty of the Lord really calms a multitude of fears. If we’ll just spend time beholding his beauty, we’ll see how able He is. That’s why I love that scripture.”
        Griffin said that Caleb is one of his favorite characters. “I tend to be an optimist,” he said. “So, I love the optimism of Caleb, who, in the face of opposition, voted that the Israelites conquer the Promised Land, that no giant was too big for God’s people to conquer.” 
      Griffin named "Great is thy Faithfulness" and "The Old Rugged Cross" as his favorite hymns. “Probably my favorite song that we sing is "The Spirit of Brokenness."
      He advises young singers to sing at every opportunity. “And don’t think you’ll start at the top,” he added. “Start at the local level, and the Lord will raise you up. The Lord will open up new doors. Work on honing your craft, watch great singers and see what they do that makes them great communicators, and emulate them. First and foremost, walk with the Lord as close as you can, and everything else will fall into place.” 
      A native of Somerset, Kentucky, Griffin lives in Morristown, Tennessee, with his wife, Regina, and daughters Reagan and Riley.
      Family has always been important. 
      “My Dad, Jeff Griffin, is the most consistent man I’ve ever known in his walk with the Lord,” he said. “He pastors at Northview Baptist Church in Hillsborough, Ohio. My Mom, Sue Griffin, has always been my biggest cheerleader.” 
      Griffin advises those who do not know Jesus to choose Him. “Life is short, and we have an appointment with our maker,” he said. “God gave Jesus to us to open heaven wide for us, and there is no need choosing the road to hell when the road to heaven has been paid for in full.” 
     Griffin advises Christians to find their gift and use that gift for the Lord. “Don’t think that, if you’re not a singer or preacher, you’re not important,” he added. “It’s the everyday people of the world that the Lord uses. Never think that, because you’re not on stage or getting the accolades, you’re not absolutely necessary to further God’s work.” 
     Griffin said that he would like to be remembered simply as “a man who walked with God.”