The Sonflowerz began when sisters Elissa and Becca Leander began writing songs and performing for their church youth group and local coffee shops in their hometown of Colorado Springs in 1999. At the time, the band consisted of 5 girls, and regularly rehearsed in the basement of the Leander’s house. Their dad, a longtime musician and prolific songwriter, inspired their love for music from an early age.
The Colorado-based sisters now married, Elissa Leander Tipps and Becca Leander Nicholson, have been ministering together since those teen years when given the opportunity by their church to share a song they had written. Fast forward 15 years, countless concerts, six albums, touring with LifeWay Women, and receiving two GMA awards, and the duo find themselves coming full circle with hearts focused on ministering to young women.
The Sonflowerz, known for their worshipful and inspiring pop songs, including “My Adoration” and “By Faith,” lauched a successful Kickstarter campaign in support of a new EP as well as a devotional book and a ministry-focused, interactive tour for tween and teen-aged girls.
“From that first moment of sharing our songs, we’ve had a desire to use music as a tool to be a voice to and for young women,” explains Elissa. “We said ‘yes’ to God and continued to write, sing and speak where He led, often finding ourselves in places we never imagined – from a small town near Southampton, England to Lifeway’s You And Your Girl conferences that drew thousands of moms and daughters from around the U.S.”
Launching the The Sonflowerz Kickstarter Campaign, Elissa and Becca reached out to engage their fans of all ages in being part of the development of their latest 6-song EP Love Walked In, which released September 10 2013, just after the campaign ended. The campaign also helped to fund a 30-day devotional book titled “Made To Shine,” which was inspired by conversations with teens and named after a song written for a victim of bullying. Along with the EP and book, the duo is embarking on a ministry-focused tour of Made to Shine events for girls ages 10-18, and moms.
For The Sonflowerz, writing songs is just the beginning. “Girls fight against all kinds of obstacles in our culture,” says Becca. “Peer pressure alone brings an onslaught of identity crisis, self-hatred, depression and loneliness. Add in the fatherless factor, which nearly one-third of kids in the U.S. live with, and you have a desperate generation of girls in need of love.”
“So at the events, we will spend time speaking from the book and performing songs from our new recording,” adds Elissa. “We’ll break through peer pressure, common lies they believe, answer their questions and reveal to them their true identity as daughters of God… each song, every word and all that we do is to point them to Jesus. Through the Kickstarter, so many friends came alongside to be a part of it.”
What People Are Saying
“I met you at the You & Your Girl conference. Your music lifts me up whenever I am lonely or sad. I was very please to meet you because you inspired my future. Thank you for all that you have done to help make me a stronger Christian.” – Julia
“I love your songs so much!!! I wake up to them in the morning before school.” – Jordan
“Listened to the entire album the other day at work, great listening/worship music! It helped me remember my “work” is for Him!” – Rachel
“The Sonflowerz have inspired me to shine for Jesus, and that has completely changed my life.” – Brianna
“You were a real encouragement to my daughters, who had a great time at the concert. We will continue to keep you in our prayers.” – Mark
“Your song ‘Legacy’ – wow it’s powerful, really blessed me. Also your song ‘God of Restoration’ is totally what I needed to hear at this time.” – Paige
“I love the way you girls work together as a team. I also love the music and the ministry. As a result, I’ve written many songs lately.” – Reagan
“Your music is so great, and I love how you praise God in everything. It’s hard to find really good new music sometimes, and I can’t wait to hear your new album!” – Annie
Discography
Surrounding Me – Single (2020)
Made To Shine – A Girls Only Devotional Book (2016)
Love Walked In (2013)
By Faith (2011)
Beautiful Miracle (2009)
All Over the World (2008)
Alive In You (2005)
You Remain (2003)
