Matthew Ward (born February 15, 1958) is one of the pioneers of the Jesus music genre, later to be called

contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and ...

. He is best known as a member of the trio 2nd Chapter of Acts, in which he sang and performed with his sisters

Annie Herring Annie Herring (born Annie Ward September 22, 1945) is one of the pioneers of the Jesus music genre, later to be called Contemporary Christian music. She was a member of the trio 2nd Chapter of Acts, for which she wrote most of the songs and sang ...

and Nellie (Ward) Greisen. During his musical career with the 2nd Chapter of Acts from 1973 to 1988, he also recorded solo albums.

Early history

Matthew's music and ministry was in no small part forged from personal family tragedy. In 1968 his mother, Elizabeth Ward, died of a

brain tumor A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant tumors and benign (non-cancerous) tumors. These can be further classified as primary tumors, which start within the brain, and secon ...

; two years later his father, Walter, died of leukemia leaving him and his sister, Nellie orphaned. The Ward siblings all decided that Matthew's older sister, Annie, and her new husband record producer Buck Herring should take in the two younger Ward siblings. Matthew's older sister, Annie was a self-styled (and self-taught) singer and song writer who wrote and played her songs around the family piano. Matthew and sister, Nelly would often join in as Annie played and eventually they developed extremely tight and intricate harmonies. As the trio gradually started singing for local coffee houses and small gatherings, they eventually gained the notice of Pat Boone who arranged a contract to record and release two singles with MGM, "Jesus Is" (1972), recorded on Matthew's 13th birthday, and "I'm So Happy" (1973). The fledgling trio also came to the attention of 1960s folk singer Barry McGuire, who had recently become a Christian and was preparing to record his first

Christian music Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely aro ...

album, produced by Buck Herring. The siblings provided background vocals for ''Seeds'' and McGuire's 1974 follow-up ''Lighten Up''. Ward and his sister Nellie were enrolled in the Hollywood Professional School in 1972, and he attended that school for two years.

Recent history

Following his career with the 2nd Chapter of Acts, Matthew Ward has recorded many more solo works and also works in the music industry as a background & jingle vocalist. He has worked with other such artists as Leslie Phillips,

Donna Summer LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948May 17, 2012), known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the "Honorific nicknames in popular m ...

, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Stonehill, Sandi Patti,

Dennis Jernigan Dennis Jernigan is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. He is native to Oklahoma, and headquarters a music-based Christian ministry from there. Jernigan now lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma, with his wife and their nine children. Je ...

, Jordin Sparks and many others. The book, ''My 2nd Chapter: The Matthew Ward Story'' was released in February 2005. The autobiography includes how Ward battled his own bout with cancer—and won. Matthew qualified as a Certified Nurse's Aide in 2013.Wooding, D. Matthew Ward and Annie Herring ‘Hear the Bells Ringing…’For A New Chapter in Their Lives

Discography

2nd Chapter of Acts

See 2nd Chapter of Acts Discography

Solo recordings

*1979: ''Toward Eternity'' (Sparrow) *1986: ''Armed & Dangerous'' (Live Oak) *1988: ''Fade To White'' (Live Oak) *1990: ''Fortress'' (Live Oak) *1992: ''Matthew Ward Collection'' (a.k.a. The Best of Matthew Ward) (Benson) *1992: ''Point of View'' (Benson) *1997: ''My Redeemer'' (Newport) *2000: ''Even Now'' (Discovery House) *2006: ''Christmas with Matthew Ward'' (independent) *2011: ''Easter Song – A New Arrangement'' (single – independent)

Collaborations and guest appearances

*1974: ''Come Together: A Musical Experience In Love'' various artists *1975: ''Growing Pains'' Jamie Owens (Light Records) *1976: ''Firewind: A Contemporary Dramatic Musical'' various artists *1976: ''Love Broke Thru'' Phil Keaggy (NewSong) (background vocals) *1978: ''First Class'' The Boones (Lamb & Lion) "I Love You More Than My Rock And Roll" *1980: ''So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt''

Keith Green Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter in the contemporary Christian music genre, who was originally from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York. His most notable songs are " There ...

(Sparrow) (background vocals) *1983: ''Ph'lip Side'' Phil Keaggy (Sparrow) (background vocals) *1983: ''

She Works Hard for the Money "She Works Hard for the Money" is a song by American singer Donna Summer from her album ''She Works Hard for the Money'' (1983). The song was written by Michael Omartian and Summer, and produced by the former. It was released as the lead single ...

(Mercury) "Love Has A Mind of Its Own" *1984: ''Dancing With Danger'' Leslie Phillips (Myrrh) "By My Spirit" *1986: ''Morning Like This'' Sandi Patti (Word) "Hosanna" (with sisters

Nelly Greisen The 2nd Chapter of Acts was a Jesus music and early contemporary Christian music group composed of sisters Annie Herring and Nelly Greisen and brother Matthew Ward. They began performing in 1972 and enjoyed their period of greatest success d ...

, collectively as 2nd Chapter of Acts) *1986: ''Only the Overcomers'' Harvest (Benson) "Not By Sight" *1986: Greg X. Volz "The River is Rising", track: "Hold On to the Fire" *1987: ''Same Girl'' Twila Paris (Star Song) (background vocals) *1987: ''Voices'' various artists (Word) "Light of the World" *1987: ''Gorillas in the Mix'' Bernie Krause (Rykodisc) (keyboards, producer) *1989: ''Hosanna: 15 Songs Of Freedom'' The Maranatha Singers (Maranatha Music) *1989: ''It's the Thought'' Twila Paris (Star Song) *1989: ''Come and Worship'' (AM-001)Tape CD(AM-001CD) Various Artists (Alleluia! Music) Various Songs *1990: ''Handel's Young Messiah'' various artists (Word) "Comfort Ye" *1990: ''Your Love'' (AM-002)Tape CD(AM-002CD) Various Artists (Alleluia! Music) "Come into His Presence" & "When I See Your Smile" *1991: ''Flying Lessons''

(Sparrow) (background vocals) *1992: ''Master Pieces'' various artists (Benson) "The Warrior Is A Child" *1992: ''Generation 2 Generation'' various artists (Benson) "Who Do You Love The Best" with his daughter *1992: ''There's a Stirring'' Annie Herring (Sparrow) *1993: ''Completely Taken In'' Dallas Holm (Benson) (background vocals) *1994: '' God Is Able''

Ron Kenoly Ron Kenoly (born December 6, 1944) is an American Christian worship leader, singer, and songwriter whose expressed mission is "to create an environment for the manifest presence of God". His musical style is one of jubilant praise and individu ...

(Hosanna!) *1995: '' Sing Out with One Voice''

(Integrity) *1996: ''Celebrate Living''

(Heartcry) "The Lord Is My Shepherd" *1996: ''

Blue Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between violet and cyan on the spectrum of visible light. The eye perceives blue when ...

'' LeAnn Rimes (Curb) (background vocals) *1996: ''Glimpses'' Annie Herring (Chordant) (background vocals) *1998: '' First Love'' various artists (Exploration Films) "There is a Redeemer", "To The King" (and 2 with 2nd Chapter of Acts) *1998: '' Sittin' on Top of the World'' LeAnn Rimes (Curb) (background vocals) *1998: ''Wonder'' Annie Herring (Spring Hill) (background vocals) *1999: ''Choose This Day'' Promise Keepers (Maranatha) "To The King" *1999: ''LeAnn Rimes'' LeAnn Rimes (Curb) (background vocals) *1999: ''Praise 16: The Power of Your Love'' Maranatha Singers (Maranatha Music) "The Power of Your Love" *2000: ''Blue Moon'' Steve Holy (Curb) (background vocals) *2002: ''Celtic Cry: The Heart Of A Martyr'' various artists (Acts 26) "Hearts United" *2003: ''For Now'' Jordin Sparks *2004: ''Hands Lifted High'' Dennis Jernigan (Doxology) "When The Night Is Falling" with Dennis & Annie Herring *2009: ''A Timeless Christmas'' Israel & New Breed (Integrity) "Hark", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" *2011: ''Luke: A World Turned Upside Down''

Michael Card Michael Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American, Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which combine folk-style melodi ...

"A World Turned Upside Down" *2011: ''Testimony 2'' Neal Morse (background vocals)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Matthew American performers of Christian music 1958 births Living people Performers of contemporary Christian music People from North Dakota 2nd Chapter of Acts members