They continued with their school subjects, but Josh promised to sing at the end of the day. “All went OK,” Josh says, “and at the end, they started crying. I don’t know if it just freaked them out that their teacher was singing to them or what. One girl said, ‘It’s beautiful.’ Two girls and two boys cried.”

That day Josh decided he’d no longer teach elementary students. “I know high school is emotional, but these kids are really emotional,” he says.

With a degree in mathematics, Josh continues to substitute teach near his hometown in Kentucky between concert tours or when he’s home for a break. Keep reading to learn about Josh’s experience in college before signing a record deal.

Brio: How did you decide what college to attend?
Josh: Everyone who graduated from my high school went to Northern Kentucky University. But I wanted to represent our school in a private college. I knew God wanted me to go to NKU, and I was being a brat. So I went to Thomas More College and then understood why God didn’t want me to go there because the mathematics program [was not good]. So I asked God, “Please get me out of this place. I’ll go anywhere You want me to go.”

I went back to NKU and asked them if I could apply to go back to school there because I went to NKU when I was in high school, too [as a Post-Secondary Enrollment Options student]. They said, “Of course, and, by the way, today’s the last day to apply for scholarships.”

I filled out three scholarships applications, and I got all three. They would not only pay for my tuition, but they’d pay for me to live there if I wanted to and for my books as well.

I said, “God, I’ve made a big mistake. I’m sorry. I should have trusted You at the beginning, but I went my own way. Just get me into NKU.” I didn’t ask for scholarships or anything; I just said, “Get me into NKU,” but He gave me more than what I went for. God blessed me with that.

How did you choose what to study?
I was planning to work for an insurance company as an actuary and solving problems. That’s why I chose mathematics—I like to solve problems in general. “You’ve got a problem? Tell me because I want to solve it for you.” I love to solve personal problems or anything like that. And with math, you get to solve problems all day long.

I was happy at my home church, leading the youth praise and worship and going to college and graduating. But God always throws curves at us, and He offered this [career in music] to me to travel and sing and write and share with others what God is doing in my life.

Coming from a small Christian high school, what was it like entering NKU?
I came from a graduating class of 13, and I wanted to go to Thomas More College, a good university with small classes, because I thought I’d be more comfortable there. I loved school so much that I wanted to enjoy my classes with the people in there, too, and I didn’t know how you could enjoy it with 150 people in your class.

I hooked up with the Baptist Student Union (BSU) at NKU and made a lot of great friends. I did retreats and missions trips all throughout my college life. When spring break came along, we’d go to homeless shelters, food shelves. We’d do Christmas missions trips, too, and I became a councilmember of the BSU my senior year.

There’s a Scripture that says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine . . . “ (Ephesians 3:20). It’s not about how you ask, but you don’t even know what to ask for, too. It says He does above and beyond what we ask or think. I would have never thought to pray for certain things, but God goes ahead and does them and has them planned for us.

How have you seen God form you into His disciple since becoming a Christian as a 5-year-old?
I always read a chapter from the Bible before I go to bed. When I was 17, I was reading the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, and I started to put [my Bible] down and I thought, Wow. There’s more to this than just a chapter. I knew tons of Scripture from growing up, but at that moment I knew this [Book] is alive.

The Scripture came to mind, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word is so alive and so powerful and not outdated. It still works today and guides me through everything today. That’s when I fell in love with God’s Word and started memorizing Scripture. I knew it would help me.

How did you decide what to memorize?
I believe in my church, and I believe I’m part of that body. If something living and breathing is going on there, I’m going to be part of that. Whatever is being preached that Sunday, that’s what I needed to learn. Whatever my youth pastor was teaching at the time, I’d memorize that.

In your song “Shine” you talk about making Christianity a lifestyle. What does that look like?
It’s easy to go to church and put your dues in. But you can’t use God and church as a punch card. Worship isn’t what we do just for the first 15 minutes of church. It’s not just the leeway we give some people to get their parking spots so they can come in time for the message. It’s not a time-filler.

Worship carries on through the sermon, altar call and to when we get home. Worship is a lifestyle of obedience. The Bible says obedience is better than sacrifice, so I want to live a lifestyle of obedience. I want to be obedient to Him and have a lifestyle that pleases the Lord. He says in the Scriptures that if you love Him, you’ll obey His commandments.

More about Josh Bates
Favorite baseball team: Cincinnati Reds
Hometown: Independence, Ky.
Mom: principal of Josh’s high school
Dad: pastor of Josh’s church
Siblings: older brother, Eric; younger sister, Ashley
Birthday: July 1, 1982