E. Pettersen has spent over five decades creating and performing contemporary Christian music across Virginia, building a unique ministry model that relies on love offerings rather than set performance fees. The singer-songwriter, who began his musical journey at seventeen as a founding member of the touring group Almost Heaven, has developed a catalog of over 30 copyrighted songs without any formal musical training.
His approach to concert ministry stands apart from typical performance arrangements. Rather than charging churches a predetermined fee, Pettersen asks only for voluntary love offerings from congregation members who attend his concerts. This model has allowed smaller churches throughout Virginia to host professional Christian music events that might otherwise be beyond their budgets.
The Virginia-based musician has released three albums to date: “The Mission,” “Songs from Apartment 316,” and “Sanctuary.” A fourth album, a Christmas collection titled “Believe,” is scheduled for release in November. In addition to traditional CD formats, Pettersen offers his music on USB drives, adapting to changing technology preferences among his audiences.
One of Pettersen’s most notable compositions, “Ground Zero,” has achieved recognition beyond church walls. The song became part of the National September 11th Museum and Memorial in New York City, marking a significant milestone for an independent Christian artist working outside the mainstream music industry.
“Sometimes the spirit of the Lord reaches us through other people’s efforts and talents. Such a time was the night of 03/14/2025 when we listened to E. Pettersen perform at Wesley UMC in Hampton Va. Each song he performed was a sermon but with the added emotion of music that came from the Lord and Ed’s heart. Each song had us singing, and brought us all together as a family with the Lord,” said David Roane, who attended one of Pettersen’s recent concerts.
Beyond his solo work, Pettersen serves as producer for the gospel group Streets of Gold and maintains a position as Music Director at his local church. His concerts incorporate both original compositions and covers of popular contemporary Christian songs, enhanced by self-produced videos that display lyrics for audience participation and accessibility.
Charles West, another concert attendee, noted the comprehensive nature of Pettersen’s performances. “Mr Pettersen’s songs are wonderfully orchestrated and performed with videos which he produced that help the hard of hearing to understand the words of the song. He shares his inspiration for either writing the song or selecting the cover in a manner that completes the worship experience for the audience.”
The contemporary Christian artist has cultivated a performance style that combines musical presentation with personal testimony. Between songs, he shares the stories behind his compositions and the experiences that led him to select particular covers, creating what audiences describe as a complete worship experience rather than simply a concert.
Tommy Clohessy, who has followed Pettersen’s career for nearly four decades, observed the unique impact of his live performances. “For nearly 40 years, I have watched audiences become enraptured, not only by his singing, his lyrics and his music, but by the way he talks about human beings. About Jesus. About love. About all he has seen and felt over the nearly 7 decades of his life so far on earth. By the end of each concert, we not only stand and applaud, we feel enlightened, empowered, filled with love… and hope.”
The love offering model has proven sustainable for Pettersen’s ministry, supplemented by merchandise sales at concerts. This approach allows him to continue reaching congregations across Virginia while maintaining the flexibility to work with churches of varying sizes and financial capabilities.
As he prepares for the release of his Christmas album, Pettersen continues to seek connections with pastors, worship leaders, and choir directors throughout Virginia’s Christian community. His music and concert booking information remain accessible to churches interested in hosting contemporary Christian music events that combine professional performance with spiritual ministry.
The longevity of Pettersen’s career, spanning from his teenage years with Almost Heaven to his current work approaching seven decades of life, demonstrates the enduring appeal of his musical ministry model. Through love offerings and merchandise sales, he has created a sustainable approach to Christian music performance that prioritizes accessibility and spiritual impact over commercial considerations.
