Photos 2, 3, & 4 by Laura Burns

Music is a language that speaks to every person's heart. Its powerful influence is felt in every aspect of our culture. Rita Baker's heart-birthed lyrics combined with moving melodies speak hope into everyday life.

"I will not fret about the days gone by
I will not wonder where the time has gone
I have today to give another try
To show someone they are not in this alone."
from "He Has Shown Me"

Music was a natural part of growing up. Her ear for harmony and pitch were constantly being exercised as she sang with her five sisters at home, church and school. In her early teens, she began playing guitar and as well became a vocalist in a folk group, singing at weddings, concerts, and churches.

Looking back, Rita can see that God planted these gifts of music in her heart. He knew that, at the age of 17, she would come to know Jesus as her personal Savior and Lord. The new passion for God directly fueled her passion for music. As she sings in "I Choose to Praise You": My desire is to honor you with my life, with my breath.

Through the years, both her faith and her music continue to mature. She and her husband Dave and two sons attend Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio, where she is part of the music ministry. Rita's early love for harmonizing with her sisters translated into singing in women's trios (Three In One, Merea) for several years, performing in many area churches, leading women's retreats, and giving concerts at local festivals. Rita continues to be involved in many aspects of the music ministry in her church: praise band, choir, leading praise and worship.

All the while, she has been writing her own music, with some of her songs being performed in all these different venues, but it is now as a solo artist that Rita approaches this newest effort. Her new cd will include the worship song "I Choose to Praise You", offered as a single on this web site. The dream of getting out the music that has been in her heart is coming true through the 12 song Rita Baker CD project due out later this year.

"I have been so encouraged and moved as a believer by other Christian artist's music. Just as other people's music has ministered to me, my thought and prayer is that my songs will now in turn touch someone else's heart for God. This is a way I can give back to the Lord and to the body of Christ." shared Rita. "I pray that the songs the Lord has entrusted to me will build others up, and I can give back some of what I have received."

"In the Bible, a favorite verse of mine is found in Ephesians 5:19,20 - "Speak to one another with songs, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." That's it - that pretty much describes my passion!"