Marsha J. Stevens

Marsha J. Stevens, now known as Marsha Stevens-Pino, is an American Christian singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist, author, and lay minister born Marsha Carter in Pomona, California, in 1952. At sixteen she became involved with the Southern California Jesus movement and Calvary Chapel, and in 1969 she wrote both the words and music of For Those Tears I Died. The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network records that she wrote the song with her sister Wendy in mind, hoping to lead her toward Christian faith.

Stevens, Wendy Carter, Peter Jacobs, and Russ Stevens formed Children of the Day, an early Jesus-music group associated with Calvary Chapel. Their recordings helped carry the song beyond Southern California, and the group eventually made six albums and toured extensively. The song also appeared on the 1971 Maranatha! compilation The Everlastin' Living Jesus Music Concert.

After her marriage to Russ Stevens ended, Stevens came out publicly as a lesbian and was largely excluded from the evangelical Christian music industry. To support her family she also worked as a registered nurse. She later affiliated with Metropolitan Community Churches, became a certified lay evangelist, founded BALM Ministries, and continued writing, recording, and touring. Her later ministry has focused especially on proclaiming Christian faith and welcome among LGBTQ+ Christians.