Steven Perrilloux

by Judy Creekmore
River Parishes Picayune
Contributing Writer

Since 1980 the Rev. Steven Perrilloux, pastor of Riverlands Christian Center in Reserve, said he has been guided by God through visions.  The first vision directed him to create a ministry, he said. Then, in another, to expand his ministry through music.  These days, with his CD "Only You" gaining popularity locally and abroad, Perrilloux said, he feels he is about to realize the full intent of God's plan for him.  Perrilloux said God touched his life through a vision in the summer of 1980, causing him to change his self-destructive ways.  He began accumulating musical equipment to satisfy a new desire within him.

“On December 12, 1980, I saw a vision of Jesus.  He said, ‘Go and tell my people what you have seen.’  Not knowing Scripture, at first I thought he meant music.  I thought I was supposed to travel and entertain like Stevie Wonder or Earth, Wind and Fire,” Perrilloux said.  “But, later I understood it was a pastoral and prophetic call on my life.”

With God’s command in mind he built a travel trailer and loaded it with his instruments and music equipment, and added a generator and a portable stage so he could perform anywhere.  He put the erroneous title, “one way Express” on the side, he said, not realizing God would bring him back to Reserve in his ministry.

Perrilloux traveled the country in the 1980s performing until he reached Los Angeles where, he said, his true purpose was revealed by the people he met.

“God is amazing. You can’t do anything by yourself,” he said.  “you have to have so many people around you to get the work done.”

In Los Angeles he met people who encouraged him to become a minister and, in 1993, he was ordained.  While he also had been making connections in the music industry, he said he had a strong desire to return home to build a foundation from which to spread his ministry.

Returning to Reserve in 1993, Perrilloux started Riverlands Christian Center.  Through the years he has continued to incorporate music into his local ministry, releasing two cassettes, “Vision” and “Count It All Joy.”  And, he has traveled locally and abroad, from New Orleans to Brazil, Switzerland and African, spreading his music.

Last year he recorded “Only You,” the gospel CD featuring songwriter and producer Bernard Stevenson’s compositions of faith and devotion.

Through www.crossrhythms.co.uk, a UK Christian music ministry, “Only You,” is gaining success in England.  It also was named the No. 1 independent gospel song in Gospel USA magazine’s 2006 June-July issue.

Now it is being played locally on secular radio programs.

“Only You’ has a soul, gospel, R&B, and jazz feel to it,” Perrilloux said.  “With that we can reach crossover audiences, especially now with it playing on jazz stations.”

Now, he said, it will be easier for him to reach those who otherwise might not be accessible.

“God entwined the call on my life with music,” he said.  “It will help me get out the message, not just to church-goers, but to the worlds.”

“Only You” can be found in music stores and at www.stevenperrilloux.com.