Elder Jake Hughes, born Jacob L. Hughes to Pastor Odell and Linda Hughes, is a native of Racine, Wisconsin. His passion for performing arts began at an early age with gospel music. This compelled him to get involved in his church’s youth choir. Acknowledging his talent, his parents encouraged him to participate in church plays that eventually led to his interest in theatre. These interests would eventually blossom into an ongoing profession throughout his life. In 1995, Jake was recruited for the Indiana State Singing and Music Association called I.S.S.M.A. where he held a 1st place winning streak for four years at state in the Opera & Classical portion of the vocal competition. In 1996, Jake became a member of the urban league at the Charles Martin Youth Center in South Bend, Indiana, and Jake was given the opportunity to work with a local playwright. He obtained the lead roles in "American Association of Oppressed Minorities," and "Marching in a Different Direction." These plays encouraged him to pursue more roles in theater. In high school, Jake participated in "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Once Upon a Mistress," as well as a starring role in "Les Miserable s" and "Bye-Bye Birdie." Jake received a scholarship to Interlochen Arts Camp in 1997, a leading music arts camp in the U.S. where he took voice lessons from Jeffrey Norris, a leading opera teacher. After training intensely, he began singing with world-renown choirs; participating in musical theater projects in camps, such as Gilbert and Sullivan Productions, "HMS Pinafore," and "Iolanthie". As an opera contestant in the NAACP A.C.T.S.O. competition, he stole first place for youth targeting opera, gospel, oratory speaking, science, art and poetry. In August, 2000, Jake received a 4-year scholarship to Indiana University. Unsurprisingly, he majored in music and for four years, participated in the prestigious singing group, I.U. Soul Revue. I.U. Soul Revue doubled as a vocal performing group and as a course that taught the origin of African American music. This group consisted of former notable members such as Goldie & Kevon Edmonds (Babyface Edmond’s brother) of After 7. While with Soul Revue, he traveled the country performing hits from R&B Soul legends such as the O'Jays; Frankie Beverly & Maze; the Stylistics; The Chi-lites; The Emotions; The Supremes; En Vogue; and The Temptations. During his college career, Jake also participated in the musical, "Little Shop of Horrors." Recent accomplishments include, in 2007, co-starring in the highly acclaimed inspirational Northwestern Indiana musical, "My Mama Prayed & Prayed & Prayed, See What GOD Can Do," and America’s number one live urban Gospel stage play, “Church Mess!” In January of 2o12, Jake released his awesome new EP album called “Jake Hughes Unplugged.” With independent distribution, Jake still sold over 4,000 units with sales still rising. Jake Hughes is currently a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and he is in pursuit of a full time gospel ministry. He is currently an independent contemporary gospel artist and psalmist who’s committed to singing and ministering the gospel with passion and anointing. Jake has helped head a radio Ministry at one of the top radio stations in Chicago: WJVE 102.3. He has a full length band and he ministers in song throughout Chicago, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and many more. He's opened up for such gospel artists as Joshua's Troop, Tyka Nelson, Alvin Slaughter, Vashawn Mitchell, Phillip Tarver, Bishop Richard (Mr. Clean) White, Damita Haddon, and Gospel legend Vickie Winans. Some recent Performances include: 04/24/20012 06:30 PM - Outreach Church Chicago, Illinois U 05/27/201 2 8:00 PM - Fusion Fest Elkhart, Indiana US 06/07/20012 8:00 PM - Black History Motivational Talent Show Jolliet, Illinois US 07/28/20012 8:00 PM - GLORY MUSIC Presents Hammond, Indiana US 09/27/2012 8:00 PM - EXPERIENCE FITNESS South Holland, Illinois US 01/22/20013 04:00 PM - Lilly Dayle 113 and Union Chicago, Illinois US 01/26/20013 8:00pm - Lil D Fundraiser Chicago Heights, Illinois 02/09/20013 08:00 PM - THE BRIDGE Chicago, Illinois US 02/15/2013 5:00pm- Wisconsin Celebration Racine Wisconsin US These are just some of the many venues that Jake Hughes has been privileged to minister at. Jake Hughes is now a committed husband, faithful father and passionate preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jake now attends New Horizons Outreach Ministries where the Apostles Dennis and Prophetess Debra Givens are the Pastors. He's been in attendance there for the past 8 years and it is the place where he received his licensing in the Ministry back in 2006 and eventual ordination in Eldership in 2011 . He is the praise and worship leader and choir director in his church choir and he's deeply involved in the youth ministry at the church. Throughout the years, Jake has preached in such places as the Greater Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Elkhart Indiana, the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend Indiana, The Hope Rescue Mission, Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Cincinnati Ohio, and his very own New Horizons Outreach Ministries. Jake Hughes has training in about eight different vocal styles. He uses that versatility to create a sound all his own. Jake is preparing to release his sophomore EP album “Warfare and Warship,” coming out May 31st, 2013. This album is anticipated to be an acclaimed and anointed piece of work that will change lives all across the nation. Jake continues to press in the ministry that God has given him and he knows and understands who he is in Christ and what he has been called to do. He knows that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God so he is going to continue to be humble and allow God to direct him where ever he would have him go.