James Fortune never imagined his accompanied drum selections for his father’s church choir at the tender age of five would lead to a worldwide ministry today that uplifted and empowered God’s believers.

Ten years ago, God gave James Fortune the vision to form Youth For Christ (YFC), a youth ministry focused on reaching youth through song and dance. YFC ministered at churches, workshops, youth events and conferences throughout Greater Houston, Texas. Each performance embodied full energy and power that showed youth praising God was exciting and life fulfilling. 

Since the beginning, James Fortune’s ministry centered on young people’s life struggles of peer pressure, drug addiction, fornication, club hopping and all other acts of ungodliness. James expresses "The youth of today must realize that true happiness and fullness of joy is only found in the presence of Yahweh, our Heavenly Father."

Mid year in 2000, Yahweh led Fortune to change the group’s name to James Fortune & FIYA (Free in Yahweh’s Abundance). James believes “Our Fathers’ will is not for His children to live a defeated and broken life full of uncertainty and anxiety. Yahweh has promised us that blessings would overtake us if we fully obey His Word.”

James Fortune & FIYA released their debut album, entitled You Survived!, in 2005. The group’s single, "You Survived," garnered national attention, climbed the R&R Gospel charts, and exposed James Fortune’s stylistic songwriting expertise. "You Survived" soared to No. 2 on R&R Gospel Charts, No. 5 on Billboard Radio Charts, and celebrated as the No. 7 most played Gospel Song for 2005. 

Because of the message embodied in You Survived, James Fortune was honored at the 19th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards and received the 2006 ASCAP Writer’s Award for Gospel Song of the Year. This was a notable and rare honor for a newcomer to the gospel music industry, but an honor James believes was given from God and recalls the lyrics of the single "After all that you’ve been through, now you know God carried you through the rain and the pain, you called and he came, you survived!" That same year James Fortune showcased on the One Church Tour where he shared the platform with renowned gospel artists Kurt Carr, Vicki Yohe, RIZEN and Smokie Norful.

Since 2006, James Fortune and his group FIYA have amassed a career overflowing with appearances accompanied by GRAMMY Award-winning and notable artists such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Stevie Wonder, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Israel, Tye Tribbett, John P. Kee, and many more. They have performed on major television shows, appeared on national radio and other media outlets such as The Jeff Majors Show, Bobby Jones Gospel, Trinity Broadcast Network and the Gospel Superfest. 

After a two year period of praying, fasting, writing and recording, James Fortune and FIYA released their sophomore album on February 19, 2008 entitled The Transformation. The first single, "The Blood," a tribute to gospel great Andrae Crouch, was released on a compilation and circulated on national radio which opened the door for the second single, "I Trust You."

"I Trust You" has been the #1 song on the R&R Gospel charts for 10 weeks after climbing the charts for 26 weeks overtaking the six-month reign of the single "Never Would Have Made It" by Marvin Sapp. The single has already garnered success and secured James Fortune & FIYA a Stellar Award Nomination for Contemporary Gospel Choir of the Year, an appearance on the Gospel Music Channel’s The Kitchen Sink, an appearance on Trinity Broadcast Network’s “Praise the Lord” and a plethora of nationwide performances. The group is currently planning for an international appearance to minister to the world.

James Fortune has taken the initiative and believes his mission is to draw lost souls to Christ, encourage you to share in Christ’s unconditional love and peace, and live a life free from bondage and strongholds in God’s abundance according to John 10:10. Because of his calling, Fortune constantly writes ballads and Sunday morning worship songs, collaborates with stellar producers and songwriters, and creates music complete with life transforming principles.

James Fortune is a family man that recognizes his success is only as comparable to his obedience and yielding to God’s will. He invites you to transform your life and remain committed to your God given journey.