Catching Up with Fernando Ortega

[@l.p.8225]

Fernando, if I met you in person I would do exactly what you did to Andre Crouch (love him, too!): break down crying, shake your hand, and leave; speechless. Your beautiful music has sustained me thru decades of trauma, loss and sorrow. You are my #1 favorite artist of all time and I still listen to your music every day. Two of my favorites are Jehova’ Senor de los Cielos and Con Que Pagaremos. I memorized these in Spanish first, then in English and now hope to find the chords and play them on my ukulele. I play alone because I’m not good enough to keep up with performing musicians. So thankful to God for your songs.🙏🏻❤️

[@sbmusic9963]

One more thing. Thank you so much for encouraging Fernando. I'm sure all of those things aren't easy to hear or take in, and I'm sure he has challenges reconciling how people see him vs. the internal challenges he (and we all) faces. But God has used him to reach and touch so many people. Thank you, Fernando, for being such an instrument of blessing. And thank you 3rd Street Music for the interview and for encouraging and praying for him.

[@lindavivian1695]

I've been going through a rough spot in my life and there's some music that's carried me through. I still remember, to this day, the first time I heard Fernando Ortega sing. It was definitely a gift from God when He introduced me to this music. I met Fernando the same night that I met Anne Graham Lotz. I had been struggling for years with an abusive husband. I had changed churches and started attending one more in line with what I needed at that time. The women in this church had signed up to go see the "Just Give Me Jesus" Conference, with Anne Graham Lotz. Fernando Ortega was a big part of it. I'll never forget the night as I walked into the Palace at Auburn Hills and I heard this man playing the piano and singing. He had the voice of an Angel and the music that came from him and from the piano was just what I needed. Anne spoke a prophetic Word over me as I was standing down in front of the stage. She spoke about someone who was there that night and about the things that were going to happen to her. The Lord wanted me to know that I would make it through it. She sure hit the nail on the head of what was coming in my life. Following was the time of prayer for all of us who walked forward. After that time I remember going outside of the auditorium area and I searched for Fernando's table. I bought every CD he had. It was right after that, that I spoke to Anne and was able to express to her what she did for me that night. Somewhere in my pictures on my phone somewhere I have a picture of the two of us together. All of us ladies came back the next day for more encouragement. I must say that Conference changed my life and that music saw me through the toughest days of my life. Note: See below, in comments, a screen capture where they advertised this event in 2005.

[@marilyngriffin4183]

I love love this man and his ministry. He brings me to the throne room of God, and he sings my soul!

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you so much

[@joannevargas9638]

What a wonderful interview with one of my favorite ministers of music! Thank you both so very much!

[@sbmusic9963]

I think the reasons that people resonate with Classic Hymns is that 1. Most of what people listen to is modern and much of modern music - from whatever generation - doesn't last beyond a short period. Very few have the artistic strength, refinement, or truth to be timeless. When you hear a classic hymn, you are hearing something that has endured because of its beauty, truth, and artistry. It's the same reason that people continue to visit classic paintings: they have endured because they deserve to endure. 2. The second reason, I believe, is that while we have more music/culture/theology available at our fingertips than at any time in history, much of it is pablum. People want something higher. Something eternal. One of the reasons I really connect with Fernando Ortega is that, beyond his refined artistry, he seems to be a man that really internally struggles and contends for his faith. He comes across as very sincere and serious about the gift and responsibility of worship.

[@KenPierpont]

Hey Fernando. It breaks my heart to know that you and your loved ones have had to pass through pain. May God sustain you all and draw you to himself and may it inspire you to write more beautiful music to help us in our walk with God. I wish you could have been in my car at times as I drove and wept to the music that poured out of my music system. Please know that I pray for you. Your music has been the soundtrack of much of my life.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thanks for the nice comment

[@eva-mariacoughlin9456]

I suffered from this awful anxiety for 30 plus years, Martin Luther also suffered from it! God brings us through… last year my husband died suddenly….. I felt like you Fernando ,about being a spouse……but we did our best.Your music touches deeply, maybe because we were so deeply hurt….

[@tammiecoffman5284]

Coming through a divorce that I did not initiate was traumatic. Yet for me, too, it created a season where I came to know my Heavenly Father so much better. Prayers for you, Fernando, in this season. Your music has soothed me for decades. Thank you.

[@maryreynolds5310]

He’s the best, my absolute best faith singer ever! Please, I wish Fernando could know this, but I have a Golden Retriever and a Shepherd mix, every day we take a little nap always with Fernando singing his beautiful music. It’s his music that puts us all to sleep. 😊 So, when I’m awake of course I will play his music..if my Golden Retriever hears Fernando’s music while playing outside or running somewhere in the house he runs to my iPad, sits and will listen until I turn it off. This is no lie!

[@bernlitzner2739]

Thank Rob for this great interview with Fernando. Well done. My wife passed away in May of 2019, and as she was going I played some Fernando quietly in the background. We used to listen all the time while driving in the car.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you for the great story. Sorry for your loss

[@stephseef]

I love what Fernando says about the ancient liturgy. After a long time in mainstream big box evangelicalism, I've now been many years in the Episcopal church where the framework of the liturgy sets me free and saves me from my own personality. He's right on the money. Love you, Fern - thank you both for such a great interview!

[@thirdstreetmusic]

I too have been adding a lot of liturgy to my practices. Thanks for watching. Blessings

[@AmWils52]

Our son, at the age of 26 in the year 2006 was struck down with an autoimmune disorder that was finally diagnosed at The Mayo Clinic in Arizona. For years we were on the road from Southern Colorado to Phoenix every 3 months. While he didn’t get better right away slowly he did improve although it required 2 brain surgeries and years of rehab. In desperation one year we went to the Santuario de Chimayo for a pilgrimage. After our worship we went to Ortega’s Weaving Shop and they were playing Camino Largo and we bought the CD. It was the only way my husband and I could get to sleep after our son’s second surgery. I am thinking that was the miracle that “I” needed. To this day I listen to Fernando Ortega’s music. I have extreme anxiety, while our son is much better I doubt he will be able to return to the working world. I wake up like clockwork around 3:30 and the standing joke is I have a date with Fernando Ortega. I either play the music I have purchased and downloaded or find something on KZbin, put in my earbuds and calm down enough to breathe. By 5 I can get up reassured of God’s love and somewhere in all this there is God’s plan. Then I put on the coffee. Long story, but the impact of your music reaches out to a lady, in a tiny town, at an unspeakable hour and gives her hope! Thank you. Thank you.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Sorry for the tough trial.

[@pamelalanehaun7156]

Amy, I too suffer w/ anxiety. Fernando's, 'Jesus King of Heaven' resonates w/ my soul. There is comfort in knowing that in my weakness, He is strong. Blessings to you.

[@joeyp6056]

I am so greatful for this interview. I’ve been a fan of Fernando’s music and story’s for 25 years. I appreciate so much the honesty about struggles and depression and I believe what pulled you out is truly what can pull anyone out of their darkness.

[@dianamullins5079]

Loved this. Artful and strategic interview job by thirdstreetmusic; congratulations! F. Ortega is my favorite song-singer (simple, talented/beautiful, not flowery). Shane and Shane are good too. Give Me Jesus is one of my (about) 94 favorite songs, most of which are hymns (from over nearly 1000 years ago up to recent Getty songs and Andrew Peterson's(?) "Is He Worthy". I found this fabulous interview while looking for a non-flowery well done "Wondeful Merciful Savior", but haven't really found it yet. My dad was EFCA pastor who died 36 years ago at age 55. I'm 61 w/ wife & 3 kids (& some grandkids). Attorney for over 30 years. After EFCA, I've fellowshipped with Lutherans(Missouri Synod), Independent Fundamentalist Evangelical (but stemming from Methodist), Home Fellowship, Quaker, Calvary Chapel. Am a member of Gideons Int'l. Dark Eyes is the only Dylan song I play on harmonica. Thanks for the background on that. I recall that William Cowper ("There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood"), who collaborated with Isaac Watts, died with depression and wondering if he'd be in heaven! Charles Finney expressed a similar doubt in his autobiography, but figured he'd praise Jesus from hell! I'll offer this: there is NO such thing as "ministry" except that your ministry is your ENTIRE life in Jesus Christ. Where is money's place? It's the root of all kinds of evil, BUT if we do not support our family we are WORSE than an "unbeliever". Before you know Jesus, your life is the background and afterward it's the works God saved you to do. (See Ephesians 4 we're not saved by grace thru faith to be "saved"; we're saved FOR good works to walk in). Jesus=Ieosus=Jeshua/Yehoshua="Jevohah Is Salvation"=The Self Existent One Is Salvation (or I AM THAT I AM Is Salvation). He does not simply save us to walk our way. He IS HIMSELF our salvation. We (men and women alike) are to walk with Him always -- restored to the times of walking with Him in the Garden as did our ancient first father Adam before the fall. That was His promise when He banned us from the garden - Satan would bruise us but Adam's seed, Second Adam, God in Flesh, would CRUSH the Serpent! We're back! Jesus Himself tells us the definition of "eternal life" EQUALS "know God and Jesus Christ whom God sent" (see John 17). "Know" is not just in the head, it is shalom. Consider living in the city of peace (jeru+shalem), it is wholesome knowledge of God.

[@rickowen4410]

One of the top ten Christian artists I enjoyed in my latter years as an evangelical Christian. As a Deist now, I still appreciate the delicate skill & beauty of Fernando's music and respect his views & efforts related to knowing & serving God according to his best understanding & a clear conscience, as I still try to do.

[@jamiemcmurtrey3154]

I listen to him every day! Love his music 🎶 ❤️🙏🏻

[@janetmurphy7674]

Fernando and his music has been such a blessing to me.

[@l.p.8225]

Haven’t even listened to this session yet but am so glad I found it! Just want to say I and my fellow believers have worshiped with your music and loved you for several decades, Fernando! May the Lord bless you abundantly for the countless hours you have blessed countless people with your beautiful voice, music, and lyrics. 🙏🏻🤗❤️

[@cynthiaward5891]

3/25/2023. I thank you both for this interview! Fernando’s music has been balm for my soul and a cup of living water for so many years. May our Great Faithful and Merciful God bless you both with a thousand blessings. Cynthia Ward

[@rondagordon7953]

Our friend put your CD in and said have you heard this guy? He’s great your song about your grandpa always makes me shed a tear.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

So fun to hear. Thanks for sharing

[@beloved7908]

Just finding this interview... beautiful!

[@nathaliegiard6377]

God bles you Mr Ortega your music is a blessing in my life 💕🎶

[@reneemeade552]

Yes your music has So touched and comforted me. So peaceful ❤

[@laurieneile955]

Thank you for this interview. Fernando’s music has been with me thru the years…as a new believer, rocking my babies in the night, in hard & dark times, and recently caring for my sweet husband with PD & dementia and death. I love his thoughtful answers. Thank you.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Glad you enjoyed it so much.

[@violarobinson2332]

I absolutely love Fernando’s voice and music. It takes my breath away and blesses my soul. One of my all-time favorite Christian artists. I long to go to one of his concerts. Can't wait until he comes near my city.

[@graciareed4518]

Loved hearing from Fernando. You did a great job, Rob!

[@cookingfordads]

Thank you so much. You are too kind.

[@ninaphillips6808]

Hello Fernando ! I met you years ago at Calvary Chapel in Albuquerque then I was a teacher at Valley High. Glad to see your success ! May you , your family , and your music be blessed!

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Blessings to you

[@charlottepatterson2864]

I love the old hymns because they teach so much about God. The best ones are not “about” how I feel. My mother played the organ in a Methodist church when I was a child. Of course one of the greatest hymn writers of all time was the Methodist Charles Wesley. I learned a lot of hymns. Every time I hear one now I always say “that’s my favorite hymn” even though something else was my favorite yesterday. Once, before I had even received Christ as my Savior, when I was away from my childhood home for the first time and a new mother feeling overwhelmed “The Solid Rock” came to mind. I sang all 4 stanzas aloud and felt comforted. My salvation experience was still years away, but I think God sent that dear old hymn to me that day to help keep me on the pathway to Him. I only discovered Fernando’s music a few years ago, and have to say that his music has the same qualities of the best of the dear old hymns, they are God focused. Also, I have the same vocal range, so I can sing right along with him praising God with one of His special saints. Thank you Fernando. And thank you for this interview.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thanks for watching

[@kevinboissonneau8843]

Brother Fernando, love your music and gift to the Church. Regarding Christian music vs secular music: I think the danger is that music was created for enjoyment in worshipping the Lord God, therefore it cannot be neutral. As a musician and singer myself I am strongly convicted about playing anything that has proceeded from the world. I don't know how I could ever drink from the pure fresh anointing of God and then revert to the filthy contaminated waters of this world. I think that for me, that is part of walking that narrow road. The more we stray the more problems, including confusion and compromise we will have in our walk with the Lord. I thank you again brother and I pray for continued peace for you and an even stronger anointing for Ruby!

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thanks so much for watching

[@deniserichardson5018]

This makes me love Fernando even more. Thank you so much for sharing from your heart and soul.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you for watching

[@crabbymagnolia6035]

Very encouraging interview.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you so much. He is one of my favorites

[@KenPierpont]

@@thirdstreetmusic great job

[@steve8199]

Favorite song from Fernando is Con que pagaremos..just to meditate on the words

[@joanhenschel3511]

Fernando, I feel that you're a musical genius! I'm so glad that I happened upon your music - thanks to KZbin. Shalom and God bless and keep you.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Peace to you as well

[@marilyngriffin4183]

I appreciate what you said about hymns, Fernando...I enjoy singing the hymns sometimes because I know my great grandparents sang them too.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you for watching

[@Raminakai]

Thanks for this great interview. I had the privilege of seeing Fernando in 2014, at Saint Johns near Charleston, SC. This was one of the highlights of my time there! Your music has inspired me greatly- so soothing for my hard times- always pointing me to Jesus❤️ Much Blessing to you and your family! Psalm 16😇

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you, blessings to you

[@ngjohn8244]

I just came to appreciate your music so much. Thank you for your soul searching and open sharing. There is so much of God's love and grace and mercy in your kind of music. May our good Lord bless richly you.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

I'm sure he will see that. Thanks for your kind words.

[@lyndanelson4303]

I’m so glad to have found this interview. I appreciate Fernando’s honesty and also have been a fan/follower of his music for many years ❤

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you so much for watching.

[@revelation2and3]

Forever thankful that JESUS blessed me with Fernando❤

[@jackson1915]

I loved this. great interview. Thank you both. I wish it had more views!

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you.

[@loriedwards2120]

What a great interview, Rob! We start our day with Hymns and Meditations. We play it when we are taking care of our 21 month old neice. She does not live in a Christian home. The demons have to flee when we play the CD. We like the old hymns the words are so rich and full meaning. We like the new music Fernando has put to the old hymns. "Great is Thy Faithfulness", is one of our favorites! We like hearing the stories behind the songs. God bless you Fernando and Ruby as you weather the teenage years together. In the book, "The Desire of Ages", it says; "Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven's chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world." pg. 347 I recommend the book highly. May God bless you Fernando and Rob in your service for the Master. Blessings, Curley and Lori

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thanks so much.

[@VeriteProductions1]

Thank you Rob. I produce documentaries and specials for a living. This interview is one of the best I have listened to. I never knew Fernado but his song "Jesus King of Angels" opened my heart to Jesus in a way I have never experienced. I thank God for his grace and messaging through one of his talented servants. Rob and Fernado God bless you and your ministries.

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you for your encouragement. It came on a needed day. Blessings to you and all you do.

[@jenifermorrell1918]

This is going to sound weird, but I am so grateful not all of us are the same--that Fernando struggled with anxiety. The church wants us to look perfect. I am prone to depression. I am a believer. I know Jesus loves me and I love him, but I can feel so guilty for the way I am. Fernando is an encouragement.

[@monicagrose5119]

Nothing beats your rendition of "Give me Jesus". My go-to for comfort. Fernando, it is time for you to study Biblical Truth for greater discernment of Truth, as the Bible urges us to do. That discovery brings awesome peace in our lives. Not what this preacher or that preacher believes, but the truth revealed in Jesus' words and His Holy Word. May God continue to bless your ministry as He has so unfailingly done.

[@keepgoin1]

If you have anxiety, not saying this is the only answer, but I really think b-vitamin deficiency plays a big part. Consider taking P5P, It's an active form of B6. B combo too

[@jesusisl]

Amen. Patty

[@christinefarrall9391]

They're beautiful. Birds are God's special creations. There must be millions of different birds on the planet.

[@conniewilmeth9495]

Jesus King of Angels! Kept me through depressing, divorce, my kids teenage years, I had to buy the dvd 2 or 3 times because I wore it out

[@l.p.8225]

I wake up every morning to Sing ALLELU and fall asleep every night to O God you are My God (Psalm 63).

[@richardmoore9323]

I would be encouraged to know what he bases his salvation on.

[@jo-v4908]

I'm learning that as Jesus ' body that we need to declare out loud the promises of God. We have His authority on the earth.

[@maemarin7532]

Es la única música religiosa que me gusta...y en su voz ❤️❤️ nunca fui a un concierto porque vivo tan lejos...pero espero algún día..

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Blessings to you

[@gogos869]

I was caught off guard first when interviewer brought up “Jesus music” film which is basically an Amy Grant exhalation movie( she is pro “alphabet” people) Then he asks if hymns are relevant for today! What? This made me cringe since I stopped listening to Christian radio about 7 years ago since most is heretical! (They never play Fernando Ortega music! I first heard him on Ref net about 5 years ago) Other than that, you are an excellent interviewer, but need to leave your liberal church now and find a reformed Protestant one! Preferably Presbyterian-good enough for Jonathon Edwards- good enough for me! Love you Mr. Ortega!

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate the support. I go to an Assemblies of God church which is quite conservative so I hope that meets the bar. Blessings to you and your family. May God give you favor as you travel your journey.

[@jesusisl]

My favorite song by Fernando is “Sing to Jesus.” The words aren’t very meaningful. Patty from Central Illinois, God’s Heartland.

[@KenPierpont]

Frankly, I prefer a less robust voice... :)

[@thirdstreetmusic]

So funny

[@loriedwards2120]

Endearly Fernando, My wife and I watched the interview of you on "Catching Up With..." I thought some good Scriptural en-courage-ment could be helpful, sharing God's word with you. In John, Jesus says "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" and "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed," in the same discourse (John 8:32, 36). In other words, this is just as He says, also, "I am the Way, THE TRUTH, and the Life" (John 14:6)! Of course, He is not leaving room for the idea that truth is relative; neither is He is one of many truths. So, therefore, we discover in the Bible 'the truth as it is in Jesus' (see Ephesians 4:21)--all of what does not agree with His life and teachings, cannot qualify as The truth. Indeed, this is why Jesus said, without apology, "If any man will do His [God's] will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God" (John 7:17). It is a gracious invitation to such freedom that cannot be missed, truth as given all throughout the Bible! Prayerfully, Curley&Lori

[@thirdstreetmusic]

Thanks for the kind words