Singer-songwriter Ashley Lagunas has traveled the world as a missionary, and in those far-off places, she saw the God's beauty and power displayed in unforgettable ways. Her natural response to such experiences is to craft songs.

And now, even in the normalcy of daily life as a wife and mother, Lagunas is responding to God's wild call into the unknown by releasing her second project, the critically acclaimed Raise the Stakes. And she's doing just that as she finds her voice, her message and her unique expression of Jesus' love through song. 

As Raise the Stakes is captivatingly unique, honest and tender, Lagunas' responses to my questions left a similar impression. 

Ashley, tell us about you! You're from Dallas--how long have you lived there? Tell us about your family, hobbies, other jobs, kids, etc.? 

Yes! I live in Dallas, and have called it home for five years now, but I am originally from San Diego, California. My husband, Beto, and I have one daughter, Romance (pronounced in Spanish "Ro-MON-say") whom I love to homeschool. We enjoy traveling and experience new cultures. Recently, after waiting and saving we took a trip of a lifetime to celebrate our wedding anniversary in Italy! It truly was a lifetime experience and I'm very grateful. I still look at my photos and think, "Did I really go there?" Aside from our Italy adventure, I love to hang with friends and cherish family time. 

How long have you been making music? How did you get started? 

I've been writing and playing music now for close to 10 years. My journey as a musician and writing songs started on my first trip to Israel. My friends and I had brought a guitar and we sat there and wrote our first song as we overlooked the vast Israeli desert. It was simply our heart's reply to the majesty of God and the beauty of His creation. However, it has only been in the last three years that I have been making music. There came a time when I began to dream about recording some of my songs. It started at first, as a fun idea to share my songs in a public way, but as the journey continued I realized that this was something that went deeper for me and has developed into a desire that I feel called to do. That is where the journey began for me. 
 
At what point did you know you wanted to make Christian music? 

During the early season of writing, I was also leading mission trips to different countries. These trips would last for five months at a time and I had the opportunity to serve in many nations. One night in India, there were about 400 people that had gathered in a village and it was my first time leading worship publicly. These people had never heard the name of Jesus before. When I began to play, it began to rain really hard. People started to scatter and my leader got on the microphone and said, "Wait! Before any of you go home, I am going to pray to the one true and living God and He is going to stop the rain, because He wants you to hear about who He is and how much He loves you." 

I remember praying the most daring prayer on stage that night I had ever prayed and when we said "Amen," the rain went from a pour, to completely stopping. I still remember the sound of the crowd yelling as they were caught up in the awe of God. The leader handed me back the microphone and said, "You can finish your worship set now." The whole village received Jesus that night and I remember on the drive home thinking that this is what I want to do with my life: to see people impacted by God through music. I want people to be caught up in the awe of the God who stops the rain and answers prayer, the one true and living God. Music is a powerful tool to sow hope and life into hearts. It was a seed of a dream, that over time began to grow. 

What's been your musical history at this point? You've had other releases, right? 

For me, the faithfulness of God and seeing Him bring these songs come to life has been the biggest highlight. Also, seeing every musician involved pour their heart into this project [Raise the Stakes] and believe in it is a highlight as well. It's the most amazing experience to see something that was written in secret, make its way out into the public and take on a life of its own. It's a very beautiful process. I believe these songs are an honest reflection and prayer of the hands that made the songs. 

Talk about Raise the Stakes. What inspired this, and what are you trying to get across with the new music? 

There was a continuing theme on this record: faith. Raise the Stakes is a collection of songs that were birthed during a season when I hungered for more of God, to walk in the fullness of His power, His truth and His plan for my life. You know, complacency is a disguise that "fear" loves to wear and it keeps us from stepping into the purposes God has for us and that was me in my life. My heart is for people to experience God and the fullness of life that is found only in Him. I hope that when people hear these songs, they experience the God who loves them and the hope that is found in Him and that these songs would bring hope, speak life and stir faith." 
 
What's your songwriting process? What are some things you've learned as you've continued to make music? 

My songs all come from my own struggles and just the stuff that my own heart is needing to hear. When a struggle I'm facing collides with God's truth, that is the intersection where a song is born. I believe something that I've learned, is that for most of my songs, they need room to mature before they are completely finished. The journey of creating is a beautiful one that takes time and patience to steward and mold. Something else I've learned is to stay true to the way I write as an artist. I want to write and share honest songs that reflect the character and heart of God. 

Who are some artists that inspire you musically and spiritually? 

There are so many! But I do appreciate Will Reagan and the tone and heart he has as a worshipper. Jon Foreman's writing also definitely inspires me. JJ Heller in her writing and stewardship of her music and message. Josh Garrels, for his bending creativity in his songwriting, and Phil Wickham--I mean who isn't inspired by that guy? 
 
What's your calling as best you can tell?

My calling is to bring glory to God through my life, and sometimes that means through a song and creating music. I am called to create a space musically that exhorts, encourages and edifies the Body of Christ into a deeper unity and fullness of Christ. 

What do you dream about? 

I am a dreamer and this release is really a fulfillment of so many prayers and dreams. God is the God who makes a way when there is no way and He continues to show me how He is still making so many things new in my life. Just this last weekend I sat with tears as I read through comments and shares that people have said about this new release. To see that these songs are reaching their ears and more, resonating with their hearts is a dream come true for me. I lived and breathed these songs long before I ever shared them. It's a season for me of learning to raise the stakes in my own life as I learn to trust Him more and more. I am overwhelmed by God's perfect plan and HIS dreams for my life. I am excited and expectant to see all that God has in store for this new release. 

How can people be praying for you? 

My greatest need and prayer is first, that the listener would be encouraged in their walk with Jesus and that God would continue to be glorified. Pray that I would continue to trust God in my journey as a musician and that I would be a good steward of my gift and calling.