RARELY does a day go by without Brisbane’s Joey Hizon posting on Facebook how much he loves life.
The 32-year-old father of three has swapped an unfulfilling career to pursue art and music.
Joey’s Facebook postings are often centred on his “blessings” – in particular more time with wife Juanita and children Isaiah, 8, Noah, 3, and Bodie, 1.
He’s also enjoying studying graphic design and the change in focus has already resulted in an iTunes release of “How I Wish”, the first single from the Joey Hizon Project (JHP).
“It’s been a crazy nine months,” Joey, who was born in the Philippines, said.
“I left my job of five years … I just felt that this was the next step in terms of my service of God through music.
“This way I will reach more people, especially ones who do not believe in God.”
The engaging young man of faith, with John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world He gave His only Son …”) tattooed on his right arm, has a certain love for the Catholic Church.
He also chose a tattoo of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to “strongly represent” his Catholic faith and “open up conversations about it”.
“My dream is for the Catholic Church to have this massive revival of the Holy Spirit,” Joey said.
“I always had this vision of gatherings in the thousands in the Brisbane Convention Centre, with all these Catholics talking about God and most especially going through the journey of knowing our God together.
“Wow, what a blessing that would be.”
Joey was blessed with parents who modelled the faith inside and outside the home.
“My parents influenced me growing up … (especially) through a Catholic renewal community called Couples for Christ (CFC).
“In the late ’80s I spent my childhood listening to their (CFC) prayer meetings at home.
“(And) my parents always ensured that we would go to church every Sunday.
“They also ensured we would say our nightly prayer and once a week we would have a family prayer.
“It was them who taught me how to pray the Rosary and constantly reminded me about how loving our God is and that we should be thankful for everything He has given us.”
The family, including Joey’s older brother, migrated in 1991. They had relatives in Lawnton, on Brisbane’s northside.
The Hizon boys excelled musically and, before long, Joey was a competent pianist and drummer.
Marrying his “high school sweetheart”, Juanita and Joey joined CFC while awaiting Isaiah’s birth.
“During that time Juanita bought me a guitar,” Joey said.
“I was assigned to play the guitar during our prayer meetings with CFC and that’s when I knew that God wanted me to serve Him through music.
“It was like He was preparing me from my childhood – getting me ready for this moment.”
That faith in God and love for music Joey expresses in his fatherhood, a vocation he also cherishes.
“Becoming a father is the greatest decision I have made in my life,” he said.
“It brings me so much joy to watch my kids live their lives, even when they’re having tantrums in the middle of the shopping centre.
“Nothing compares to teaching my kids about the love of God and passing down the prayers that my parents taught me when I was growing up.
“I’m definitely blessed and would not trade fatherhood for anything.”
Blessed and in pursuit of God’s will, Joey also gives credit to members of Brisbane Catholic band emmanuelworship who have offered encouragement and support.
Playing within them will continue to be a source of joy, Joey said, as JHP reached its own goals.
“JHP keeps me real busy,” Joey said.
“It’s a vessel in promoting positive music and consists of musicians who are wanting to make a positive difference in the world.
“We invite musicians from all over Australia to do the one thing that they love – which is playing music and performing at events.”
Joey recently played at Brisbane’s World Youth Day 2011 event – Fuel on the Hill.
Last Saturday (September 17) the JHP led worship for the CFC “global network” who gathered on Brisbane’s southside.
“I’ve been delighted to play at Christian events around Brisbane,” Joey said.
“(But) the goal is to release an EP of about four songs next year … (and) sales from ‘How I Wish’ will make that possible.”
His musical style is influenced by “hip-hop, R&B, classical, rock, punk, grunge, country, pop – you name it”.
Lyrical themes are “love, hope, freedom and anything inspiring and uplifting”.
Joey said he was motivated by the fact “there’s so much negative music out there”.
“I feel I’ve been called to promote positive music, in both the Christian and secular worlds,” he said.
“The goal is to be given the opportunity to get positive music out there as much as possible.
“Playing and singing God’s songs has brought me so much joy that I have never stopped and never will.”
It’s likely positive postings on Facebook won’t either.
For more details about Joey’s ministry go do www.joeyhizon.com
