Cristian Sorto: The Man Behind The MusicCopy

Cristian Sorto: The Man Behind the Music

By: Brittny Desvarieux

“I wanted to give up” he said, “but someone who wanted to commit suicide reached out to me.” He paused, taken back to this specific moment in time. “They told me that listening to my music helped them through it and hearing that kept me going.”

Twenty-one years ago, in the city of Boston, a little boy named Cristian Sorto became an addition to a loving, Salvadoran-immigrant family of three. Only wanting the best for their son’s, the Sorto’s moved from Boston due to weather and gang-related activities in that area. Their journey led them to Atlanta and it was here that they were given a fresh start to raise their family. It was their biggest desire for their sons to become rooted in Christ and it was through their involvement in the Church that a passion for music ministry began to bloom and flourish.

When most people think about spreading the Gospel, images of preachers on pulpits come to mind. But for others, like Cristian Sorto, there is a more creative approach: the art of music.

It all started when he was young, watching his older brother sing with their church’s worship team. Following his lead, Sorto began performing during special music and after, began traveling to different churches to share his talent and love for music ministry.

“He always made me proud,” said his brother, Ronal. “There was no resentment or jealousy because his passion was far greater than mine, and I [eventually] outgrew music. I love music but I realized that my passion was in other areas.”

While most of the kids his age spent their days trying out for their middle school’s sports team or hanging out with friends on Friday nights, Sorto spent most of his time at home, writing and recording music with his father.

“Writing with Cristian is always a new experience,” said his dad, Francisco. “Sometimes we are in full agreement, sometimes we disagree in the direction we should take a song. It’s a bonding experience for us both, and it’s a fun challenge to create new music for our church. I love seeing his creativity, but I [especially] love being able to see the spiritual side of it.”

Not only is his dad his number one supporter, but he also made sacrifices to help his dreams come true. “I am really grateful for my dad,” said Sorto. “He did much of the heavy lifting and invested a lot of money for me to do this—about $18,000. My father,” he said, “is passionate about seeing me serve God.”

His father has always stood by his side to support his love for music ministry and has funded all the expenses from the studio recordings to album productions.

By the age of 12, Sorto released his first album, Solo por fe, meaning “Just by Faith” and received positive feedback. From there, he invested most of his time in writing, recording, and touring for concerts.

While all this was a dream come true, it didn’t always feel that way. He appreciated the opportunity to pursue his dreams, but he often found himself exhausted and feeling like he was missing out on just being a kid.

“It was too much pressure on me,” he said. “I wanted to give up. There wasn’t much room to be a kid,” said Sorto.

“When he was younger, [he] sometimes wanted to steer away because other kids were doing things that were more fun. We had to remind him that he had been given a talent, and we had to find that middle ground between encouraging and supporting [him] versus making him feel forced or pressured to do music,” said his father, Francisco.

It was even harder for his mother, Griselda. “The hardest part has been being away from him when he would travel, and just knowing that he wasn’t getting the rest he needed because he would be up practicing or writing,” she said.

But despite all the trials, he didn’t give up. Every time the exhaustion and doubts crept in, he was always reaffirmed by the testimonies of his fans who have expressed how much his music has helped them through difficult times.

One fan, Bryan Arvelo, a senior theology student at Southern Adventist University said, “Cristian’s music has impacted me on a very personal level. When I hear some of the songs like, Todo Por Amor and Nuestro Lado, I am reminded of the Lord’s constant presence and love in my life.”

Today, at just 21 years old, Sorto has recently released his third album, Dia y Noche, and is working on a fourth, which already has 10 completed songs.

“I love[d] quarantine” he said, “because I was able to write more. I would have my Bible out, open my Voice Memos app on my phone, grab my guitar and just start writing and creating with my dad.”

He is currently finishing up his last year in college pursuing a theology degree and piecing together wedding plans with his fiancé.

“I wish that everyone knew how much time he dedicates to writing, how many songs never see the light of day because he is so hard on himself, and how many all-nighters he sometimes pulls just to complete a project,” said his fiancé, Genesis Rivas. “He is passionate, dedicated, and completely committed to sharing the Gospel through his talents.”

What most people don’t know is that it’s not Sorto’s dream to be a famous musician, but rather to share with others what Jesus has done in his own personal life. His songs are just creative expressions and reflections of his relationship with Christ, much like the songs and poetry found in the book of Psalms.

“It’s never to be recognized,” he said. “When it comes to music, it’s all about Jesus. My music is a response to my relationship with Him and that’s what I share with others. I can resonate with John the Baptist in that, if it’s not pointing people to Jesus, then I’m failing.”