Christian singer songwriter Shari Heywood has released her debut EP Begin Again.

The EP, which includes her stunning debut single ‘Holy One,’ was written and recorded during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Shari, who lives in South Wales with her husband and two sons, has sung and played keys at Christian events and churches for the past 20 years.

She says she decided to call the EP ‘Begin Again,’ which was produced by Tom Auton, following an encounter at a Women’s Conference she attended.

“I remember a time when both my husband and I were utterly burnt out,” she said.

“We were pastoring a small valleys church, but my husband still had to work full time to make ends meet. 

“We were mum, dad, wife, husband, pastors, preacher, worship leader, youth leaders, media team, washer uppers, coffee makers, toilet unblockers…you name it, we did it.

“We were also facing major health battles within our immediate family throughout this time. 

“I went away to a ladies conference in the middle of this difficult season knowing full well that I couldn’t continue at this frantic pace and had in fact reached rock bottom.  

“The words ‘Begin Again’ dropped into my spirit one night during the worship, so I scribbled them in my notepad to meditate on later. 

“The next day I attended the morning seminar and there on a 40ft screen were the words ‘Begin Again’ in giant letters.

“My heart flooded with hope as I realised I had the chance wipe the slate clean, to start again, to not be shackled to my failures, hurts and wounds for the rest of my life.

“I finally realised that God wasn’t calling me to just survive but to thrive. That was the day my path to freedom began.”

Shari says that she hopes that listeners will also find the significance of her EP title in their own lives.

“That’s the beauty of knowing Jesus…there’s no limit to how many times we get to Begin Again,” she said.

“The bible tells us that His mercies are new every morning. So, that is the message of my songs…His mercies are new every morning.

“I know that life’s battles aren’t unique to just me, they are something everyone faces. 

“I want to see people encouraged and strengthened as they go about their day knowing that our God is always good, always faithful to His promises and is the God of second, third, fourth and in fact infinite chances to ‘Begin Again’ if we will run to Him and His unending mercy and grace.”