He was a rocket scientist. She was a teacher. Today, they are Alabaster Grace, creating eclectic, thoughtful worship music that is as diverse and intriguing as their life story.
Brad Perry grew up in a Christian home and was drawn to aeronautics and space from a young age. As a boy, Brad and his father even constructed a full-scale model of the Apollo Command Module in their basement, in which Brad simulated an actual Apollo mission in real time. Local and national media outlets covered his feat, which led to his NASA career.
At age 18, while studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech, Brad became one of the youngest cooperative education students to ever start at NASA.
After graduation, he was hired by NASA's Johnson Space Center. Except for a six-year stint flying as a U.S. Air Force pilot, he worked continuously for NASA until retiring in 2013.
During Brad’s NASA career, he was on the design team of the International Space Station, served as an astronaut instructor for the Space Shuttle, and eventually became the Director of NASA's Science Support Office.
His hard work earned two of NASA's highest honors—the Exceptional Service Medal and the Outstanding Leadership Medal.
While Brad had his eyes to the sky, Joanie was, and still is, a tour de force as a singer, songwriter, educator, and librarian. Throughout a challenging childhood and difficult marriage, which led to divorce, Joanie learned to trust God. When she and Brad met on Christian Mingle, she never once doubted God's divine plan for her life.
“Sometimes God will do miracles beyond what you can even think or imagine, just as the Bible says,” Joanie muses. “When Brad came along, God gave me a second chance to share my life with someone who truly loves me, cherishes me, and accepts me for who I am. And, as an added bonus, the Lord has allowed us to be partners in our music ministry.”
Long before this pair of licensed ministers met in 2012 and started their musical ministry as Alabaster Grace, Brad and Joanie each learned to cling to God’s promises. Especially dear to them is Romans 8:28 — “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose (NRSV).”
“We feel like we have lived Romans 8:28,” says Joanie, referring to trying times both had before they met. “Both of us have been through some very hard times in our lives, but every time we have been in a difficult situation, the Lord has worked everything out for our good.”
Their unique backgrounds have contributed to a diverse and eclectic approach to their music. Regardless of the style or topic of each individual song, Alabaster Grace hopes to be a beacon of light to music lovers, pointing them to Jesus.
The couple continues to have a steady stream of concerts, leading worship, and sharing sermons and inspirational presentations, including their performance at the state of Virginia’s 56th annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast before an audience that included Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. Be it a church, retreat, conference, or coffeehouse, an audience of one or a thousand, Brad and Joanie love meeting people exactly where they are on their faith journey.
“We want to be obedient servants,” adds Brad. “It’s not about us. It’s about drawing others closer to the heart of God through song and worship, and offering everyone hope and encouragement. With our song lyrics being Scripture-based, we pray that people will search out and read their Bible after hearing the music. We just want to be good and faithful servants with the talents and the gifts God has given us.”
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