Getting to Know Ami Rushes (Part 2 of 2 Part Interview)

Getting to Know Ami Rushes (Part 2of 2 Part Interview)

In this interview Ami talks about her battle with bulimia, how she got her victory, and her encouraging words to those fighting addictions.  She talks about her involvement in Save Africa’s Children (a foundation founded by Bishop Blake), her advice to those trying to make singing a career, as well as her upcoming projects.

Looking back on your battle with bulimia for so many years, was there ever a time where you thought you were not going to make it through?

AR:  Absolutely I did, in fact that’s when my miracle came.  Twenty (20) years is a long time to be struggling with something; a long time be praying everyday for deliverance.  I had come to the point of where I didn’t think I would get the victory over that.  I knew God could, but didn’t think it was going to happen because it had been such a long time.  I would get momentary freedom, and then regress.  I prayed about it constantly.  I got every CD series that any pastor, minister, teacher put out on taming the flesh, sin, and bondage —  just trying to free my spirit.  And nothing happened for all of those years.

I remember one day I went to a very prominent church where I met the minister of music; he asked me to sing for him.  I did, and he invited me back to the church’s Wednesday night service.  I really wasn’t thinking of my deliverance or anything like that.  All I remember thinking when talking to that minister was “God could really use me.”  That was really the bottom line.  After I pulled out of that parking lot, I knew that something was lifted.  It was miraculously lifted! And,  from that day until now (this all took place over a decade ago), there has been no setbacks and no temptations.  It was gone like it never happened.  When the Bible says “Who the Son sets free is free indeed” I was indeed free that afternoon.  It was quiet and peaceful; I wasn’t in a prayer line — God just intervened.

The root cause of any addiction is lasciviousness, which means no restraint.  And, God healed and delivered me —  I’m a living witness that he did that for me.  When God does it, you will no longer be a person in “recovery,”  it will be as if it never happened.

A lot of people don’t want to speak about bulimia (for women it is shameful and unlovely), but if we’re not transparent with people then the devil wins and nobody gets blessed.  I want people to be uplifted and blessed and know they can be free.  I was hungry to hear someone say they got victory over what I was going through, but I only heard, “We got victory for a while, but we backslid.”  I really remember wanting to hear of hope and true deliverance.

What words of advice and encouragement would you give to those battling addictions now?

AR:  Anybody that is struggling with addiction, please call Kenneth Copeland Ministries and get the series “Disciplining The Flesh.”  I think it will be a great blessing and seeds will be planted.  Those were the first seeds planted when I realized what I was dealing with.  And you may not have anyone to talk to about what you’re going through, but pray, be not weary in well doing, you will reap if you faint not.   Twenty (20) years was a long time to pray, but I got my victory.

Also, arm yourself with spiritual knowledge.  There are others that teach on this, Creflo Dollar talks about taming the flesh, and Larry Huck talks about generational curses.  For me it was a generational curse (my mother, and her mother were both overweight), and I didn’t want that for myself, so my option was this eating disorder.

Seek out spiritual knowledge, give it to the Lord, pray to the Lord, stay in His word, and He will bring it to pass.

What advice do you have for those looking to make a career as a gospel artist?

AR:  The most important thing to do is seek God first.  Find out what He wants you to do. Find out His will for you and what kind of music He wants you to do.  If you have a desire in your heart to do gospel music, I’m sure that you may already have certain types of artists/music to which you are drawn.  I would say listen to artists that sing the kind of music you like.  Then as you go on this journey to get your ministry going, it’s really important to remember that nothing is overnight.  It’s so much about God’s timing.  God’s timing is everything.  I would say to use what you have in your hands.  Don’t despise small beginnings, use what you have and make the most of it.  If you’re faithful in little, God will make you ruler over much.

Sing every time you get the chance.  And don’t think you have to get paid every time you sing because this isn’t what it’s about.  If you’re going to get into gospel music to think you’re going to make a whole lot of money, the motive is wrong and God can’t bless that.  Let the Lord take care of that part of it.  If the motivation is to minister and bless the people, God will open the door for you to do that.

How did you become involved with the foundation Save Africa’s Children?

AR:  When I did my first album Covering, God said I want you to be a blessing to Bishop Blake through this project.  Bishop Blake is the founder of Save Africa’s Children — an organization with the purpose of blessing the children of Africa.  They build orphanages, send food, medicine; there is also schooling, and bibles are sent as well. Bishop had this vision that he wanted to do as much as he could for those affected and infected by the AIDS pandemic.  West Angeles is my church, this was my first album and God said I want you to be blessing and give 10% of the proceeds of everything you sale to Save Africa’s Children.  For those that buy my album they can seed in Africa and bless a child.  

Do you have any upcoming events, tours or new projects in the making?

AR:  I am currently on the “Testify” tour, and for tour dates people can go to my website www.amirushes.com and look under “Events” to see everything that I am doing. Also, if you want me to come to your city or church, please talk to your minister of music or pastor, and I’ll be happy to come.

I will be working on a brand new original project at the end of year, produced by Kurt Carr.  We are looking for fresh new material so all songwriters can submit their songs to me at [email protected]

I will be having a devotional book available this summer titled Monday Manna: Spiritual Nuggets to Start Your Week.

Please visit www.saveafricaschildren.org to see how you can contribute to the foundation
I would like to thank Ami for her time, her words, and her openness with her own struggles. Please support Ami in her music ministry and helping to sow seeds to those in Africa.

Author:  Kay Ann (@KayAnn_G), social media strategist, blogger, lover of gospel music

   

• Music Spotlight: Ami Rushes
• Getting To Know Ami Rushes (Part 1 of 2 Part Interview)