Homer Glen pastor’s faith journey leads to recording music CD

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PJ Malin (center), pastor at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, leads worship with guitar and voice. Performing with Malin are Tori Stengel (from left), Dorothy Baker, Pat O'Malley and Dennis Tanrikulu. | Submitted photo

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:11AM

At first glance, recording a CD and running a marathon don’t have much in common, but to PJ Malin of Lockport, pastor of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Homer Glen, they are both examples of self-imposed trials he sets at the beginning of each calendar year.

“This year, I was brainstorming what the next challenge should be,” Malin said. “So I put out on Facebook, ‘What do you think I should do,’ and people responded, ‘I think you should make another CD.’”

So Malin, in turn, challenged the responders to help him sort through 13 years of original material to decide which tracks he should include. Malin created a blog, www.pastorjams.blogspot.com, and instituted “Music Monday,” where, each Monday, Malin posts a YouTube video of him singing one of his original songs. Followers offer comments.

“You don’t have to know me or belong to my church to be involved,” Malin said. “I just want everyone to come together and be a part of it.”

His first Music Monday post, “Makin It Thru” summarizes Psalm 23, more commonly known as “The Lord is My Shepherd.”

“So many of my songs are based on scripture,” Malin said. “I want to make scripture come alive and be accessible to people. Other inspirations for songs are things that happen in life or lessons I’ve learned. Music is my way to explain and share those things.”

It’s been 13 years since Malin, a guitarist since junior high and a songwriter since senior high, recorded his first CD.

The summer after graduation, Malin played and sang his original music while traveling with a volleyball team.

He so impressed one of the chaperones that the chaperone recommended Malin to the owner of a Hawaiian recording studio. Malin, who lived in Hawaii at the time, recorded the CD, which was distributed in stores. He traveled the state, performing to youth groups and churches

After Malin’s first year in college, he returned to Hawaii, participated in radio interviews and toured some more. As Malin grew busier with his studies, and then seminary, the business side of music retreated.

Music, however, remained a large part of Malin’s ministerial method. For instance, Malin will write a song to enhance the theme of a particular sermon series. He will teach that song to the congregation so they can sing it each week, as part of the overall scriptural message Malin delivers.

What about Malin’s other challenges? Last year, Malin was invited to participate in an annual marathon (Malin’s first) to raise funds for a daycare in Mexico that houses children living on the streets.

That challenge came on the heels of the one Malin set in 2010: losing 20 pounds and getting back into shape. In 2009, Malin set a goal of journaling each day.

“I’d write down a story from that day or a scripture passage I found inspiring and meaningful,” Malin said. “I’ve continued to journal ever since.”

Malin has no idea how he will produce and distribute his new CD, but he is confident that, when the time comes, God will show the way. In the meantime, Malin is facing another challenge.

At the end of February, Malin will step down as pastor at Cross of Glory and step up as pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Naperville.

Download Malin’s first CD, “Footprint,” from his blog.