By Merita B. McCormack
Washington DC/
Few months ago, my daughter and her husband attended an ordination Mass for a friend of theirs. The next day she sent me a message, sharing her excitement about a song that she heard after Mass. The song, she said was great and after researching it, she found out that the singer was Albanian. She shared with me the name, it was Eleni Baker.
I became interested to find out more, as I always have a desire to promote any Albanian in our Diaspora community, so I searched for her on social media and there she was, on Facebook.
I reached out and Eleni, in a most kind and gentle way responded.
I shared with her how I came across her name and asked Eleni if she would be willing to share some of her experience with me, so we can serve that information to the wider Albanian American community, here in the USA and she said yes. Here below there is a written conversation in form of questions and answers.
Hope you enjoy this and we all wish Eleni a beautiful spiritual journey enriched with her outstanding music.
Question: In your webpage it states you immigrated to the USA at a young age and that you loved the art of music in your early days. Did you perform in Albania before coming to the USA?
Answer: I always loved music and singing but I did not begin performing until I was in my teens living in New York.
Question: Any particular event in your life that made you solidly decide to go on this path? Was that very first moment you knew you wanted to write and sing?
Answer: There was a moment when I started going to church that I was really touched by the praise and worship team and I felt the Lord whisper in my heart, “This is what you will be doing.” I didn’t believe it at the time but I see myself today and I know it was the Lord.
Question: You are a worship leader and recording artist. What is your first song? Where did you perform it first? What about your first album?
Answer: My very first song I wrote and recorded was titled, “Everlasting Arms” and it was featured on my first album. It wasn’t until my second album that I performed my music live. That album was “Love Will Never End.”
Question: Coming from Albania to the USA, a story in its own. How did that happen? Where are your Albanian roots?
Answer: My dad is from Vlore and that is where my sister and I were born. For a short time we moved to the small town of Tepelene where my mom’s family is from. At the age of six, we moved to Greece and when I turned twelve my dad decided to move us to America. At the time, he saw it as the land of opportunities which gave me a chance to do what I am doing now. But most importantly, it is where I met God.
Question: The readers who visit your website see that your growth and achievements are attributed to God and that you allow the Holy Spirit to animate you and point people to Christ. If possible, would you share highlights of your growth or conversion journey?
Answer: My personal time with the Lord has been a huge contribution to my music and relationship with God. Also, church leaders and other worship leaders that I listen to have strengthened my faith through sharing the Bible and living according to its teachings.
Question: Where can people find your music? What about hearing you performing live music?
Answer: I am currently not touring but plan to. You can stream my music or purchase on all digital platforms.
Question: Do you desire to and if so, do you have any plans to perform for Albanians or even in Albania?
Answer: I do plan to visit Albania and host worship events sometime in the future where people can come and encounter God’s love and presence.
Question: What is Eleni’s favorite Scripture passage and why?
Answer: Philippians 4:5-7 talks about not being anxious about anything but in all things through prayer with thanksgiving making our requests made known to God. When we do that, God’s perfect peace will guard our hearts and minds. I believe it is a great reminder that when we are worried or anxious, he tells us to not worry but instead to thank him for what he has already done. Nothing good comes from worrying so he tells us to pray and rejoice.
Question: Is there anything that you wish to share with the readers that we did not ask?
Answer: The word of God is powerful and is the answer to all questions. I think a lot of the times we struggle through life is because we aren’t believing and speaking the word of God or we just don’t know it. When you speak the Bible over your life and believe it in your heart, God will always take care of you! God is moved by our faith.
“ABOUT ELENI & HER MUSIC
Eleni Baker is a worship leader and recording artist who currently lives in Omaha, NE. Originally born in Albania, she moved to the states when she was 12. Her love of worship and pop music started at a very young age, and continued to grow as she began to discover her calling as an artist.
Her vocal talents are second to her incredible heart for worshiping God and leading others to do so. Eleni’s story is rich with the Spirit of God moving to make her who she is today – an artist who points people to Christ. Her passion for lyrics and musical moments inside her songs are apparent as you listen to them.
Eleni has recorded and released three studio albums: First and Last, More Than A Million, and Love Will Never End along with a few stand alone singles. Today, she is regularly involved in leading worship at her local church and other special events. Her passion is to lead people into pure, authentic, and unrestrained worship in the church. To bring worship back into its original intent; devotion and adoration to the Lord.”
Her website is: https://elenibakermusic.com/