In this edition of Couples Corner, we sat down with Jason and Skylar Ferris, the husband-and-wife duo behind Purpose Live, a company dedicated to equipping Christian artists with the tools and training they need to thrive on the road and stage. From their early days of touring with Bread of Stone to working with Sanctus Real and launching their own company, the Ferrises share a passion for music, ministry, and each other.
In this candid and heartfelt conversation, the couple opens up about their unique love story, the challenges of building a business together, and how they’ve learned to grow spiritually and professionally while keeping God at the center.
How did your love story begin?
Skylar: We met through a band I had previously toured with. I had built close friendships with the wives and crew, and the next summer, when I joined back up with them, they had a new drummer—Jason. Initially, I wasn’t thrilled because I liked the old drummer's personality, but I figured I should introduce myself.
Jason: Skylar walked up to me, sat beside me in an empty room, and said, “You must be Jason. I’m Skylar.” And that was about it.
Skylar: I had just graduated from high school and was focused on music, not guys. I had even prayed that God would clarify when I met the person He had for me. And during that tour, Jason and I just connected. We became close friends, mainly through texting. Even though we were in the same place physically, we bonded through conversation and realized we’d grown up very similarly, even though our circumstances were different.
So, when did it shift from friendship to something more?
Skylar: I wasn’t looking for it, honestly. But after the tour, I told my mom, “If I ever find someone, they’d have to be just like him.” And I wrote a song about him—not a love song exactly, but close. Then I felt like God tapped me on the shoulder and said, “That’s the one.” But Jason was talking to someone else then, so I left it alone and trusted God to take care of it.
Jason: We kept in touch, and she asked to FaceTime one day. I had no idea what was coming. She told me she valued our friendship but wanted to know if I’d ever pray about the possibility of something more. That conversation turned into a three-hour call.
Skylar: I read a book about defining the relationship and came prepared with a “script.” It was awkward and hilarious, but also really sweet.
Jason: Eventually, I talked to my mentors and had to let the other girl I was seeing know that it wasn’t going to work. It was a humbling experience because I hadn’t done anything. But I remember God clearly saying, “You didn’t earn your salvation either. It’s a gift.” That helped me accept the blessing Skylar was.
What’s your most significant piece of advice for couples?
Skylar: Be brutally and kindly honest. We don’t hide things, whether marriage or business—we discuss them. Communication has always been our foundation. We were long-distance for a while; all we could do was talk.
Jason: And remember you’re on the same team. Even when we disagree, we try to come back to the truth that we’re for each other, not against each other. Honesty and love go hand in hand.
How do you balance your personal and professional lives?
Skylar: We didn’t know what “balance” meant when we started. We got married, went on our honeymoon, and jumped right into life on the road with a band. I was learning audio on the fly while living in a tiny bunk with him and many people. But we loved it. It felt like we were always doing something we loved with someone we loved.
Jason: Purpose Live has introduced new layers. As business owners, we’ve had to learn when to slow down and when to lean in. Timing is everything.
Skylar: Our primary strategy is communication and recognizing that your spouse is not your enemy. That mindset changes everything.
What does supporting each other’s growth look like?
Jason: It’s being willing to challenge and encourage each other. One example: Skylar spent hours updating some web copy for our company, and when I gave feedback, she thought I was criticizing her effort. But once we talked it through, we both saw we were trying to make the work the best it could be.
Skylar: The most beautiful thing is that we’re not just pursuing our dreams—we’re helping each other pursue the dreams God’s placed in our hearts. Purpose Live was Jason’s dream, and now I’m just as passionate about it as he is.
Can you tell us more about Purpose Live?
Jason: Purpose Live is all about helping artists sustain their ministry and create impactful live performances. We coach artists on everything from setlist building and song arrangements to stage presence and body language.
Skylar: We also help them become the most authentic version of themselves on stage—so their audience doesn’t just walk away saying, “You’ve got a great voice,” but saying, “Your song changed my life.”
Jason: We offer technical support, such as audio engineering, show advancement, and tour management. In the long term, we want to open a rehearsal space where artists can come, rest, and prepare for what God’s called them to do.
Let’s end with a few rapid-fire questions.
Who’s the better cook? Skylar all the way.
Better driver? Skylar (Jason is good, but Skylar says he drives too fast).
More romantic? Skylar.
More competitive? Jason.
Who said “I love you” first? Skylar—during her first visit to Ohio.
Final Thoughts
Skylar: Marriage has shown me how selfish I can be—and how much room there is to grow. It’s such a beautiful picture of how Christ loves the Church.
Jason: We want to encourage couples to lean into the hard things, communicate, pray, and cheer each other on. You’re better together, and God has a purpose for your unity.
You can follow Jason and Skylar’s journey or learn more about Purpose Live at thepurposelive.com.
Danny and Janice initially conducted this interview for NewReleaseToday’s Couples Corner series. Article formatting provided with help from ChatGPT by OpenAI.
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