You’ve probably seen the movie I Still Believe. It’s a tear-jerker. KJ Apa plays Jeremy Camp, and the film focuses almost entirely on his first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning, who tragically died of ovarian cancer just months after they wed. It’s a powerful testament to faith, sure, but it leaves a massive question hanging in the air for anyone watching in 2026: What happened next?
The truth is, Jeremy Camp and wife Adrienne Camp have been building a life together for over two decades now, and their story is arguably just as complex and inspiring as the one that made it to the big screen.
Honestly, it wasn’t some cinematic "love at first sight" moment for Adrienne. When she first met Jeremy on a three-month tour in 2002, she didn’t even think he was her type. At the time, she was Adrienne "Adie" Liesching, the powerhouse lead singer of the South African Christian rock band The Benjamin Gate. She was edgy, used to the post-grunge scene, and had actually vowed never to marry an American. Jeremy? He was the athletic, muscular guy from Indiana who played melodic ballads.
They were opposites. Pure and simple.
How Jeremy Camp and Wife Adrienne Actually Met
The timeline moves fast here. Melissa passed away in February 2001. By 2002, Jeremy was back on the road, sharing his story and his music. Adrienne was on that same tour circuit. While she wasn't looking for a relationship, she found herself deeply moved by Jeremy’s testimony. She actually told Christian Headlines that she was an advocate for his story before she was ever his wife.
She felt that if Melissa’s death could impact her so deeply, it had to be shared.
They married in December 2003. Think about that for a second. That is a heavy mantle to carry—marrying a man whose entire public identity was, at that point, tied to the loss of his first "soulmate." Adrienne has been incredibly vocal about the fact that she didn't marry the same Jeremy that Melissa did. She married a man who had been through the fire of grief.
The Dynamic of a "Musical Marriage"
For a while, they were a touring power couple. Adrienne released solo albums like Don't Wait in 2006, which Jeremy helped produce. But eventually, the lifestyle shifted. Adrienne moved out of the spotlight to focus on homeschooling their three children: Bella, Arie, and Egan.
It’s not all sunshine and roses, though.
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In their co-authored book In Unison, they get pretty raw about the friction in their marriage. Jeremy tends to withdraw during conflict—he needs a walk or a drive to process things. Adrienne, on the other hand, wants to hash it out right then and there. She’s admitted that his need for space often felt like rejection. They had to learn how to "keep short accounts," a phrase Adrienne uses to describe not letting resentment build up like debt.
- Jeremy Camp (born 1978): From Lafayette, Indiana.
- Adrienne Camp (born 1981): From Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
- Marriage Date: December 15, 2003.
- Children: Isabella (Bella), Arianne (Arie), and Egan.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Relationship
There’s this misconception that Adrienne is just the "second wife" who stepped into a ready-made life. That couldn’t be further from the reality.
She has spent twenty years carving out her own space. She’s an author of children’s books like Even Me and a Bible study teacher. She’s also heavily involved in ministry for Syrian and Iraqi refugees. When Jeremy is on tour for half the year, she’s the one holding down the fort, though they make a point to stay connected via "heart checks."
They ask each other, "How is your heart?" It’s a specific question they use to bypass the standard "I'm fine" response.
Dealing with Health Scares in 2024 and 2025
Life hasn't stopped throwing curveballs at them. In March 2024, Jeremy had to undergo surgery for atrial fibrillation (AFib). It was a scary moment for the family, especially given his history with medical trauma. Seeing him back on stage at the K-LOVE Fan Awards and touring through 2025 has been a relief for fans, but it’s a reminder that their "happily ever after" still requires a lot of resilience.
The Legacy of Melissa Camp
Some people wonder if it’s awkward that Jeremy still sings "I Still Believe" every night, a song written about his first wife. Adrienne’s take is surprisingly refreshing. She doesn't see Melissa as a rival. She sees her as a sister in faith whose story paved the way for the ministry they now share.
She’s even helped protect that legacy. During the filming of the movie, she was on set, supporting Jeremy through the emotional ringer of watching his trauma replayed by actors.
Actionable Takeaways from the Camps' Marriage
If you're looking at Jeremy Camp and wife as a model for your own life, there are a few practical things they swear by:
- The "Heart Check": Stop asking "how are you" and start asking "how is your heart." It forces a deeper level of honesty.
- Keep Short Accounts: Don't let an argument last until the next morning. Resolve the "debt" of anger quickly so it doesn't turn into bitterness.
- Vulnerability is a Choice: Adrienne often mentions that she had to choose to be vulnerable about her insecurities regarding Jeremy's past. Hiding those feelings only creates distance.
- Support the Individual Calling: Jeremy encourages Adrienne’s writing and refugee work, while she supports his music. They aren't just a "unit"; they are two individuals supporting each other's specific purposes.
The story of Jeremy and Adrienne Camp isn't a movie script—it’s a long, sometimes messy, twenty-plus-year journey of two people choosing to stay in the room when things get hard. It’s less about the tragedy of the past and more about the intentionality of the present. Moving forward, their focus remains on their family and their joint ministry, proving that there is indeed life, and a lot of it, after loss.