Career
Green was born in Portland, Oregon to missionary parents, Charles and Jo Green. He is one of six siblings who spent much of his early life in Argentina. He studied Music at Grand Canyon University, graduating in 1976. He originally broke into Christian music with the Mobile, Alabama based youth worship group Truth. He also sang backup vocals and played bass with Sandi Patti, White Heart and the Gaither Vocal Band. In 1982, he joined the Christian rock band White Heart as a vocalist. But a difference in ministry vision accompanied by a confrontation with his brother, Randy, led to a spiritual renewal in Steve's life in 1983. He signed a solo contract with Sparrow Records, and his self-titled debut album appeared in 1984. In the same year, he established Steve Green Ministries.
His break out year came in 1985 with the release of He Holds The Keys. The album garnered Green a nomination and win as Male Vocalist of the Year in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) category. The following year, 1986, saw the release of two recordings, "For God And God Alone," and a high church style worship album entitled "A Mighty Fortress." The following year saw the release of his first Christmas recording, "Joy To The World." In early 1988, he released an album dedicated to his parents called "Find Us Faithful." As the 1980s came to an end, many of Green's songs became recognized standards including "People Need The Lord" and "Broken And Spilled Out." He was often considered the male version of Sandi Patti, using many of the same songwriters and styles as well as the traditional ending the song on a (literal) high note. Green also contributed background vocals to Patti's 1986 hit, "Let There Be Praise."
Green was one of the first artists to be involved with Promise Keepers, performing at their inaugural event at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado in July 1993 before 50,000 men. His song "Answer The Call" was inspired by the event and another song, "O Men of God Arise," embodies the Promise Keeper mentality.
Green recorded "The Mission" in 1989 and continued his success with "We Believe" in 1991. As the early 1990s direction of Christian music changed to a more rock oriented format, Green returned to traditional roots by releasing an album of hymns in 1992. Yet Green switched styles in 1994 on his "Where Mercy Begins" album. He also received the first of two career boosts due to outside events.
On September 9, 1994, a US Air jet crashed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. One passenger was an up and coming Christian singer named Kirk Lynn. Lynn has just recorded Green's song "As We Sail To Heaven's Shore" from the 1988 "Find Us Faithful" album. Only a rough cut played at the memorial service for the passengers, grieving family members were told where to find the original song by Green, which boosted album sales for the older recording.
Green's style change continued on his 1996 recording, "The Letter." He was also instrumental in attempting to set up an accountability group for Christian artists following the adultery scandals of Michael English, Marabeth Jordan, and Sandi Patty as well as the Mike Warnke debacle. He was helped in this endeavor by Steve Camp, Wes King, and Michael W. Smith. That year also saw the release of his second Christmas album, "The First Noel."
Green changed focus again in 1998 by declaring he would only record songs that honor the Lord - songs that he could be satisfied with should it be his last recording. That year saw the release of "The Faithful" and 2000 saw the release of a devotional song album entitled "Morning Light." Two years later Green released "Woven In Time" and again found himself receiving a career boost.
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
Green was a personal friend of Space Shuttle Columbia commander Rick Husband, who was killed along with six others in the February 2003 disintegration during reentry. Green was interviewed by CNN and his song "God Of Wonders" got a boost from the unexpected publicity. He released another album in 2005.
Green's sister is married to Dr. Mark Bailey, president of the evangelical Dallas Theological Seminary, and he helped the seminary celebrate its eightieth anniversary in April 2004. He has also written a thirty day devotional titled, "The Power of the Cross" and has recorded numerous children's videos and songs.
His bilingual abilities have seen the release of two Spanish CDs in the United States.
He is married to Marijean Green, who has testified to her own struggle with bulimia and they have two children, Summer (b. 1984) and Josiah (b. 1986).
Green has expanded his musical ministry to include videos and James Dobson's Focus on the Family.
He Who Began a Good Work
Steve Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you
If the struggle you're facing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you
The lyrics of Steve Green's song He Who Began a Good Work in You speak to the Christian belief of God's steadfastness and faithfulness in completing the good work He has started in those who believe in Him. The song expresses confidence in God's ability to bring His purpose to fruition, even in the face of struggle and difficulty.
The opening lines repeat the phrase "He who began a good work in you" to emphasize the idea that the initiation of the work is from God. The song assures the listener that God will not abandon them, but rather, will be faithful to complete what He has started. This is a message of hope, particularly in times when one may feel overwhelmed with their circumstances and uncertain about the future.
The final part of the song is particularly powerful, emphasizing the listener's identity and value in God's eyes. The lines "You are His treasure / And He finds His pleasure in you" serves to remind the listener that they are not only valued, but cherished by God. This understanding of one's worth can be a source of encouragement and strength in times of difficulty.
Line by Line Meaning
He who began a good work in you
The one who initiated a positive transformation in your life
Will be faithful to complete it
Will be steadfast and carry out the task until it is finished
He'll be faithful to complete it
The one who started the good work will remain trustworthy and finish it
He who started the work
The one who initiated the positive changes in you
Will be faithful to complete it in you
Will continue to work towards the completion of the positive changes within you
If the struggle you're facing
If you're facing difficulties and challenges
Is slowly replacing
Gradually taking the place of
Your hope with despair
Your optimistic outlook with a feeling of bleakness and loss of hope
Or the process is long
If the journey towards transformation is lengthy
And you're losing your song
And you're losing your joy or enthusiasm
In the night you can be sure
During times of uncertainty and darkness, you can be confident
That the Lord has His hand on you
That the divine being is actively present and involved in your life
Safe and secure
Protected and cared for
He will never abandon you
The divine being will never leave or forsake you
You are His treasure
You hold great value and worth in the eyes of the divine being
And He finds His pleasure in you
The divine being takes delight and satisfaction in you
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bonnie Furuto
God used you and this song to encourage me in a very special way! (And continues to!)
My husband, a busy pastor and I were excited to be expecting our second child.
I was headed to my full-time job as a violinist with a regional orchestra when this song came on the car radio.
In a word I was literally “losing my song in the night” so tired I often couldn’t find the energy to sing at bedtime to our two year old.
Phil 1:6 has always been stregthening, but it took on special meaning in the midst of typical new mama fears and fatigue
that night !
Praises ! That “good work” is now a wonderful godly 30 years old! Along with his older and younger brothers. So blessed!
Meaning just as much to this day, your ministry gifts are continuing their impact also fulfilling this verse for you!!
Very grateful to God for His enabling power in your faithfulness. Continued blessings to you and yours!
jewel wilson
I was feeling so bad because I failed him in my eyes. After a day of sadness . I came across this song and it spoke to my spirit reliving my sadness.
Eric Moore
How are you doing today my name is Eric Moore and how is the weather over there
Bill Reinwald
Thank God for that promise of Scripture to help us during our low moments of life.
Aletheo P.
I'm a priest sruggling in my vocation, thanks for this song, God's faithfulness will complete this calling in me...
Conver-Say-Tion Channel
Aletheo, how are you now? You posted your comment 10 years ago.
Kathi Parchem
The Lord loves you just as you are.
Ester Ester
God loves you, Aletheo. Though the process is long, and you are losing your song in the night. You are His treasure and He finds his pleasure in you.
Gillian Johnson Baptiste
He is well able.
Olayinka Sanni
Our God Almighty who called you will continue to sustain you in the FAITH, Amen
Luciano Bezerra
This song has blessed my life since I heard first time, 18 years ago...and still bless me !
Thank you Jesus and thank you, Steve Green !