As Gretchen Keskeys continues to share a message of faith and perseverance through her latest single "Hold On," the heart behind the song becomes even clearer in conversation. Rooted in Epistle to the Philippians 1:6 and shaped by a journey marked by both struggle and renewal, Keskeys' story offers a deeper look at how God's faithfulness unfolds over time. In this interview, she reflects on the moments that shaped her calling, the personal experiences that inform her songwriting, and the enduring hope she seeks to pass on through every lyric.
Q: You've had such a rich and varied journey-from media and television to full-time music ministry-how did God lead you into using music as your primary platform for sharing the Gospel?
Yes, it has been a journey with a lot of twists and turns, but through it all has been a grace filled thread of faith. I've been holding on to Jesus (with at times a weak grip, but made stronger through Him and His Word) since my life in Christ began many years ago.
I had some mental health struggles as a young adult. It kept me from so much. But when I gave my heart to Jesus, my whole life opened up and I had hopes and dreams again.
I graduated with a Journalism degree and started a job as an NBC page in Burbank. That was an exciting time which led to work in acting and production. I also was a news writer for an ABC affiliate. Not long after, I won a national talent competition in Hilton Head, SC and through that signed with a respected agent in Los Angeles.
During this time, I met my husband Randy who is a wonderful Christian man. I had recently re-dedicated my life to Christ and I had been praying for God's will for my life. I felt meeting him was an answer to prayer and soon Randy asked me to marry him.
Even though some great opportunities were happening in Los Angeles, my heart was focused on Jesus and I wanted nothing more than to have a family with Christ at the center. I moved to Sacramento which was my hometown and where Randy lived. We got married and raised three wonderful children.
Now to the music: I grew up in a musical home. My whole life, my mother filled our home with the most gorgeous piano pieces. She played by ear and with such emotion and beauty. And she could play anything-just name that tune. From the standards such as Stardust, to show tunes, to opera, to the most heartfelt hymns such as How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace.
She also taught me to play and sometimes we played duets together. I remember her playing Habanera from Carmen and I would sing in a big operatic voice. I loved singing. I had a great time, but in front of people outside of my family, I felt shy about it. I think the fear of people made my voice shut down.
I remember when I was at NBC, I would sing alone in the bathrooms which had great acoustics, and someone would walk in and say: "Wow, you should be a singer! You're great!" And I'd love the compliment, but I never pursued it. I was just too scared.
As Randy and I were raising our children, I would sometimes sneak into my den, pull out my old karaoke machine and put in a Broadway track. My husband heard me singing "Don't Rain On My Parade," and he said: "Wow, why don't you sing at church!? You have this background and a great voice. And you could serve God."
I hadn't told him, but as we sat in church every week, that thought had crossed my mind. We attended Warehouse Christian Ministries, which had been instrumental in the burgeoning Christian music scene in the 80s. Many well-known artists including Keith Green came through there. They had a stellar worship team with great musicians and singers, so I was intimidated.
But the next Sunday, the pastor announced auditions for the ensemble. I was scared, but I prayed and God helped me through. I went and was selected to be on the team and I loved it. I loved the camaraderie and the music and leading the congregation in worship.
In many ways it was restoring what I left behind in Hollywood, but this was even better as God was at the center.
I could go on with the story, but to avoid getting too long, I'll just say: God's hand has clearly been in it all. He has taken all my various gifts and background and used them all as I entered into songwriting, recording, worship leading, writing a book and speaking. It is a true joy and blessing. I love it all.
And so importantly-and which I thank Him for-Jesus took away the fear and set me free, so now the voice inside is no longer stifled. I love to sing His praises with a full, free and joyful heart.
Q: Your new single "Hold On" is rooted in Philippians 1:6-what was happening in your life when this message of perseverance and God's faithfulness became so central to you?
When I was a new Christian, I would read the Bible verse Philippians 1:6:
"God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
I wondered how that affected me. What did that really mean?
All these years later, I can see it perfectly clear. There have been a lot of ups and downs since deciding to follow Jesus Christ. But it has been a progressive changing-a person becoming more like Christ-just by abiding (or remaining) in Him day after day.
Finding I am truly wanting the will of God more than what this world offers. Having peace with God's approval and not needing man's. Replacing pride and false humility (trying to build myself up) and self-destruction and self-doubt (tearing myself down) with a true understanding of my worth because of who Jesus is and what He has done for me.
"We have been made right in God's sight." (Romans 5:1)
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
I never thought I would be free of people-pleasing, fear of people and what they thought. But one day I woke up and just realized: I don't have that in my heart anymore.
But it has taken many years.
When I first started this music ministry twelve years ago, I very much felt at the mercy of people and them thinking well of me. God, through some frankly painful and disappointing times, pulled that out of me.
I don't consider people's thoughts anymore. Of course I love and care about people. But I look to Christ alone for my security, my guidance, my peace and wherever He wants to take me to share the good news of the gospel and my testimony through my music, speaking and writing.
Q: You've spoken about walking through both victories and valleys-how have those seasons specifically shaped the way you write songs like "Hold On"?
When I think of victory in Christ in my life, I think of peace. The more peace I am living with, the more I know there's victory.
And these victories have not happened overnight. They have happened when I have "held on" day after day, year after year.
And yes, there have been many stretches of time between the victories spent in the valley. But I keep going because of the hope He gives me and the peace of Christ, which I cherish. I keep my eyes on Him.
"You will keep in perfect peace, all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3)
And the truth is my songwriting is almost like a journal I keep during these times.
I wrote a song called "Jesus Therapy":
"When I'm feeling low, when I'm lacking peace,
I know where to go, I know Who to see.
He gives the best advice and always for free.
He's the Mighty Counselor, Savior who redeems.
I call it Jesus Therapy..."
When I write music, my thoughts are on Him and my mind is on scripture. And there is no better place to be.
And when I write a song and it touches another heart, that is the best. I see God's hand in it all and I get the reward of peace in Jesus and a promise of eternity with Him.
Q: Working with a producer and co-writer like Ian Eskelin, what was the creative and spiritual process like in bringing "Hold On" to life?
Working with Ian was an incredible blessing. I came in with songs that were deeply personal-written out of my own journey with the Lord-and what meant so much was that he truly understood the heart behind them. More importantly, he understands who Jesus is, and that shaped everything about the process. There was such a sense of humility, joy, and shared faith in the room.
Ian has a real gift for refining a song. I tend to write a little wordy, and he helped trim things down to get to the heart of the message, sometimes adding just the right line or musical moment to bring it all together. The recording process itself was such a joy-completely stress-free and full of energy. We recorded multiple songs in just a few days, and I could really feel God's hand in it all. It was a beautiful collaboration that strengthened both the song and my confidence as an artist.
Q: Much of your ministry has taken you into diverse spaces-from churches to outreach settings like women's facilities-how do you see a song like "Hold On" connecting with people in those different environments?
The message of "Hold On" is something everyone can relate to, no matter where they are. Whether it's a church congregation or a women's facility, people are walking through real struggles-fear, regret, loss, uncertainty. When I sing, "Though the flesh and heart may fail, there is One who is greater still," that truth meets people right where they are.
In places like women's facilities especially, that message of hope becomes very real. Many of those women are carrying heavy burdens, and they need to know that their story isn't over-that God is still working, still restoring, still calling them forward. But honestly, that's true for all of us. Life can change in a moment, and when those "earthquakes" hit, we need something solid to hold onto. That's what this song points to: Jesus as our shelter, our strength, and our hope in every season.
Q: As you continue building on your 2025 album Let It Begin, what can listeners expect next from you in terms of new music and projects that carry this message of hope and perseverance?
There is definitely more to come. I've been writing new songs that continue this same message of trusting God through every season. One of them is called "God Answers Prayer," and it really reflects looking back over my life and seeing how faithful He has been, even in the moments when I didn't understand what He was doing.
I also recently completed a book about my journey called Finally OK - The Truth That Set Me Free, which I'm so excited to share. It really goes deeper into the valleys, the healing, and the ways God has transformed my life over time.
Everything I'm working on-whether it's music, writing, or speaking-comes from that same place: wanting people to know that God is faithful, that He is present, and that He will carry us through. If "Hold On" reminds someone to keep trusting Him just one more day, then it's done exactly what I believe God intended it to do.
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