Simon Cox Blog: Interview: How BSF Saved Sandi Patty

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Interview: How BSF Saved Sandi Patty

In her new book, “The Voice,” the award-winning singer reflects on Bible Study Fellowship’s role in her faith formation.

Through the 1980s and early 1990s, Sandi Patty’s music was a staple on Christian radio stations. Songs like “We Shall Behold Him,” “Love In Any Language,” and “More Than Wonderful” led to a packed touring schedule, appearances on network television, five Grammys, and 40 Dove Awards.

However, behind the confident public persona was a woman struggling to make sense of childhood sexual abuse, body image issues, and plummeting self-worth. Her marriage was crumbling, and she engaged in an extramarital affair that later stalled out her soaring music career. In the midst of this upheaval, Patty joined a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group at her home church in Indiana.

Her new book, The Voice, details the dramatic change that came through studying Scripture in community, being mentored by her BSF leader, and seeking counseling. Patty spoke recently with CT about the role that BSF, in particular, played in rebuilding her life.

When did you first encounter BSF?

I knew about BSF for a long time—a friend of my parents was a BSF teaching leader in Oklahoma City. It was an easy decision for me to join BSF, because I was already familiar with it. I got to the point where I knew I had to do something if I was going to grow in the Lord. Being on the road [for music tours] is real, but it is not the real world. I needed to surround myself with other women who wanted to be grounded in God’s Word.

If I was touring, I would have the bus bring me back home so I could go to BSF on Wednesday mornings, then get back on the bus and head to my next concert. It was that important to me.

The committed study required by BSF had some unexpected effects on your life. What were those points of impact?

The first ...