News
Gospel Rock Band, MercyMe And A New Sound in Christian Rock
Texas, USA — Lead singer Bart Millard almost quit the band, but instead reinvented the group’s style. We’re sharing with you an interview with Bart Millard who spoke with Guideposts.org about how close he came to leaving the band, the message behind their new album and why he’s having more fun than ever praising God through song.
If you grew up listening to Christian rock music, chances are a few songs from the band MercyMe have a spot on your most-played list. The Texas-born group features lead singer/songwriter Bart Millard and band members James Bryson, Robby Shaffer, Nathan Cochran, Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul, who have been cranking out hits and collecting fans since they combined their talents back in 1994. Twenty years, eight studio albums, eight Dove Awards and numerous Grammy nominations later, the band is still making music and continues to dominate the charts.
Their latest album is all the more significant thanks to its tumultous beginnings. Before production began, Millard made the difficult decision to step away from the band, which could have been the end of the road for fans of their music. Instead, walking away led to the creation of a new album, “Welcome to the New”, which has garnered two Grammy nominations, debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Album charts and helped reinvent the veteran group’s sound.
The Interview
Why did you want to make this album?
After [the album] The Hurt & The Healer, we kind of hit a wall. I grew up in a somewhat legalistic church and it taught me that faith is enough, but here’s three more things left just in case. There’s always things left to do to be closer to God. You start a band and do all this stuff to try to please Him and I just hit a point where I thought “Man, I don’t think I can keep up.” It felt like my family life was hanging by a thread. There had to be more to it.
While writing The Hurt & The Healer, a friend of mine came back into my life. We hadn’t seen him in a long time and one of the things he said to me that really stopped me in my tracks, he said “Hey, you guys work really hard but in case you’ve forgotten, there’s nothing you can do to make Christ love you any more than He already does, so maybe you just need to stop and just rest in the finished work of the cross.” No one’s ever told me to stop before, they’ve always said to try harder. It took a couple of years to understand what that meant and I really thought, at that time, that MercyMe was coming to an end. I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. Literally stop and just take it all in.
At that point, my wife and I had kind of jokingly said we stopped caring what people thought, what radios thought, what labels thought, and we just decided not to keep up with this image and focus on our fellowship with Christ. The second that MercyMe stopped being my identity, instead of quitting, I started falling back in love with it. About that time we had gone back in the studio and started making this new record and that’s the message, from beginning to end. Hence the name Welcome to the New. We wanted the message and everything to be different. We said, what’s the [album] we’d love to make, whether it ever gets played on the radio or not? So we just started making that and luckily people are okay with it.
One track on that album that’s very personal for you is “Dear Younger Me.” Can you talk about why you wanted to write that song?
Over the years, my wife and I have gone through grief counseling. Her brother was killed back in 2004 and we probably never dealt with it the proper way, so we went to grief counseling a few years ago and one of the first things the counselor said to me was “We need to go back into your childhood and unpack that.” I grew up in a pretty abusive situation. My father was a very abusive person until he was diagnosed with cancer my freshman year of high school. When he came to know Christ [after his diagnosis] he became one of the godliest men I’ve ever know. But there’s a lot of damage done, a lot of feeling like it’s your fault.
In counseling, one of the things she said was that, “If you ever want to know what you would’ve been like in a healthy family and a God-like environment, just look at your son Charlie.” I started thinking, If I could sit with the 8 year-old version of myself, what would I say to him? It was one of the hardest songs I’ve ever had to write. A lot of people carry those issues with them, they carry that guilt and shame around their neck like it’s part of them. That one is particularly special because of the response that we’ve had. I’ve gotten emails from people saying, “This has broken me free of something that I’ve carried a long time,” so, that’s really cool.
Another song that’s getting a lot of attention is “Shake.” It has an old-school sound that’s completely different from anything you guys have done in the past. Why make that the first single?
When I almost quit the band, the guys were like “Let’s try to fix what’s broke.” We cut our shows in half and just [changed] everything to where it wasn’t overpowering our lives. I figured I’d take a break and maybe do a solo record a few years down the road. I wanted to make music that was different, that has an old-school vibe and felt current at the same time, so they were really good sports to chase that rabbit with me. When we finished The Hurt and The Healer, we thought we’d take two or three years off. We were on the road doing some shows and we started goofing off, messing with some songs and [there was] this track that ended up being “Shake.” We started writing to it and it was so different. I loved it, the guys were into it and I made the mistake of sending the demo to a label.
They really wanted us to make a record but didn’t want to push the issue so I feel like they kind of leaked the song on YouTube, just putting it out there and it got a huge response, so they were like “Hey, we won’t talk about the record but at least make a video for this song and put it out there. If you’re going to take a two-year break, let’s give them something.” So we did the video in October last year and after it got all that attention we were like “Well, we’ve gotta make a record now.”
I know you grew up Baptist. There’s no shaking it in a Baptist Church.
[Laughs] Part of the idea of the song was, if you’re ever able to know who God is and understand who you are in Christ, it’d be really hard to sit still. We’re not dancers, but it was just polar opposite of the stuff we were known for or the stuff we even write. That’s just how I felt spiritually and still do. It’s fun to be able to do it for this long and in a way feel like you’re just getting started as far as creativity. It renewed what we’re doing. I think it was U2 that said “being in a band is like being in the mafia, the only way you get out is if you die.” I tend to believe that’s what it’s like.
Was being the leader of a Christian rock band what you always wanted to do?
I dreamed of being a singer, but I never really had a plan. My goal was to be a pastor at church and when I went to college, I moved to Florida, went to school and worked at a church there. I was already singing some but just tracks for the church. I thought “Man, if I could just get a job and have that outlet to make music on Sunday mornings, I’d be good to go.” At some point, Mike [Scheuchzer] and I were like “Can we really do this and avoid getting real jobs?” So we just took that semester off in college and tried to do it and never looked back. People always ask, “How can I do what you do?” Don’t take for granted where God has you. People always say it’s just a stepping stone for something bigger, but whether you’re singing for 10,000 or 10, you have to look at it as God has raised you up for this moment, that’s why you’re here. If you don’t, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t continue or if the opportunities don’t come your way.
What have you discovered about your faith thanks to your years with Mercy Me?
After I turned 40, that’s when it started to sink in who I am in Christ. I worked really hard for a long time to make sure God was okay with me. I’ve always felt I’ve spent most of my life doing these “good” things to make sure I was right with God and now everything that I do is with the understanding that I am right with God and it’s way more fun.
MercyMe is set to release “Welcome To The New”, their 8th studio album next month, April 8. The album is available for pre-order at Lifeway, Family Christian Stores and other participating retailers, as well as iTunes®.
Culled from www.guideposts.org
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Stay tuned to Praiseworld Radio to listen to this song and other exclusive gospel tunes all day every day.
Waysteam — In a world where ministry is no longer limited by geography or walls, technology has opened up new ways to preach, teach, and reach hearts across the globe. Waystream, a Nigerian-founded spiritual content live-streaming platform, is designed specifically for churches, ministries, and Christian broadcasters.
Waystream provides a simple yet powerful platform to stream sermons online, host live prayer sessions, deliver Bible studies, and share faith-based audio messages to a local and global audience — all without the high costs or tech-heavy demands of video streaming.
With Waystream, any ministry can start audio broadcasting immediately with a laptop or mobile phone. Currently serving over 40,000 users broadcasting to millions of listeners across the globe, Waystream provides features that meet the needs of the modern church, offering the ability to:
Launch a custom audio channel for your church or fellowship
Receive donations directly through your stream page
Store sermons for midweek listening or small group sharing
Schedule future services and weekly teachings
Allow real-time listener interaction for prayer requests or encouragement
Most importantly, Waystream supports local payment audio platforms, so churches can subscribe using Nigerian Naira with no international card stress. The platform also offers embedded links for easy sharing on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and email.
Waystream has flexible plans suitable for all ministry sizes:
Talk Free: Great for new or small fellowships
Talk Lite: Unlimited daily streaming for budget-conscious ministries
Talk Pro: Scheduling, donations, and archiving included
Talk 24/7: Best for ministries running daily radio or devotional broadcasts
More than a platform, Waystream is a religious broadcasting platform that puts the Gospel within earshot of those who need it. Whether you’re in Lagos or Lome, Aba or Atlanta, you can now reach souls with clarity, simplicity, and faith.
Visit www.waystream.io to start your 14-day free trial. Because ministry doesn’t need a building — just a willing voice and the right tools to send it forth.
Pastor Emmanuel Iren of Celebration Church International is set to release his debut movie “What About Us?”, out in cinemas on July 12, and we’re loving it!
Full episode of the show on #ThePraiseworldPodcast available everywhere you listen to your podcasts.
https://youtu.be/x5gRe6PI3vg
Annatoria who has been buzzing about being on the Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin “Kingdom Tour” for the last couple of weeks has suddenly pulled out for personal reasons.
Why exactly did she pull out of the tour?
Listen to full episode of the show on #ThePraiseworldPodcast available everywhere you listen to your podcasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa4LGOKFOGc
A Modern Reimagining of Timeless Biblical Narratives: “DISTORIA: Bible Stories” by Tola Omoniyi
Tola Omoniyi, media entrepreneur and founder of Praiseworld Radio, proudly announces the release of his debut book, “DISTORIA: Bible Stories.” This innovative collection reimagines 30 classic Biblical stories, breathing new life into them with contemporary context to captivate today’s readers.
Many are familiar with Bible stories, but how many truly grasp their meaning? Often, these stories seem distant and unrelatable due to their ancient language and context. Tola Omoniyi’s acclaimed podcast, “Telling Bible Stories with TOLA,” launched five years ago and spanning over five seasons, has successfully bridged this gap by presenting these timeless tales in a modern, engaging manner.
Inspired by the podcast’s success, Tola decided to extend his reach to book lovers. “Seeing the impact of the podcast and how it inspired my listeners, I wanted to spread these stories to a wider audience, those who would rather read a book than listen to a podcast,” he explains.
“DISTORIA: Bible Stories” is far from a simple retelling. Tola’s vibrant prose and compelling storytelling bring a fresh perspective to these ancient narratives, making them feel immediate and relevant. He skillfully bridges the past and present, exploring the depths of Biblical values in a way that speaks directly to the soul and resonates with today’s world. Each story is followed by practical lessons and the original scriptural reference.
“Whether you’re a seasoned believer or a curious seeker, ‘DISTORIA’ promises to captivate, inspire, entertain, and challenge you in unexpected ways,” says Tola Omoniyi. “Dive in and relive ancient experiences that speak to our contemporary world like never before.”
Purchase “DISTORIA: Bible Stories” here: https://linktr.ee/tolaomoniyi
- Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2RD3QGC
- Kobo https://www.kobo.com/pl/en/ebook/distoria-bible-stories
For Nigerian readers
• Roving Heights https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/distoria-bible-stories/ and Roving Heights bookstores (Lagos and Abuja)
About the Author:
Tola Omoniyi is a dynamic media entrepreneur, celebrated for his roles as a Radio/TV and Podcast host, Public Speaker, Event Compere, and Communications Expert. He has significantly influenced the Nigerian church community, earning spots among the 100 Most Influential Nigerians in Church by YNaija! in 2021 and being named one of the Top 100 most influential Nigerian gospel personalities by GospelXperience in 2023.
In 2012, Tola founded Praiseworld Radio, Africa’s leading online gospel radio station, and hosts the award-winning ‘The Praise O’Clock Show.’ His innovative approach has reshaped gospel broadcasting. Tola also hosts several podcasts, including The Praiseworld Podcast, The Afrogospel Podcast, and Telling Bible Stories with TOLA, the latter inspiring this book.
Follow Tola Omoniyi on social media: @tola_omoniyi
Contact Information:
For more information about the book or to request an interview with Tola Omoniyi, please contact:
• Email: praiseworldshow@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tola_omoniyi
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience “DISTORIA: Bible Stories” and embark on a journey that connects ancient wisdom with modern living. Purchase your copy today and share this transformative collection with friends and family.
More than just a concert, seminar or exhibition, Livingspring is a celebration of gospel music. An actual festival. There will be singing and dancing, colour, drama, exhibitions, art and history. You may also get to catch up with some of your favourite artistes. Still, the festival manages to deliver a lot more than that.
Dreams are born at Livingspring. Stars are made at Livingspring. You walk away from the Livingspring experience feeling totally energized. It’s the kind of atmosphere better experienced than retold. It’s why people have made the trip from all over the world for over 40 years.
There’s simply nothing like it!
Register below to be part of Livingspring 2024. Come loud, come colourful! Click here to register: https://livingspringcmf.com/register/
Do you enjoy playing background music while you pray and worship God? Would you like to charge up your atmosphere with songs that provoke you to spend more time in God’s presence?
We’ve carefully curated a Spotify playlist that will help you do just that.
It’s named Pray And Worship with over 4 hours of songs from anointed minstrels. This will be updated every week, so make sure to save this so as not to miss out.
Here is the direct link to the playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4duLZszOESUPHvzhmX7T06?si=9d461b43dd744be3
Feel free to share with your loved ones as an encouragement to pray and worship. We hope this blesses you and further fuels the fire on your prayer and worship altar, and helps you in spending longer time in God’s presence.
Incorporating worship songs into your prayer routine can enhance your spiritual experience and deepen your relationship with God. Whether as a gentle background melody or a soul-stirring anthem, let the power of music accompany you on your journey of faith and transformation.
Remember, we’re committed to keeping the pray and worship playlist fresh and vibrant, updating it weekly with new tracks to keep your spiritual journey dynamic and invigorating. So be sure to save this playlist and stay tuned for the latest additions.
To access the pray and worship playlist, click https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4duLZszOESUPHvzhmX7T06?si=9d461b43dd744be3 .
The pray and worship playlist contains songs by some of your favorite anointed minstrels, including Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Ebuka Songs, Moses Bliss, Sinach, Victoria Orenze, Mercy Chinwo, Greatman Takit, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi, Abbey Ojomu, Yadah, SteveHills, Peterson Okopi, Victor Thompson, Clement Whyt and many more.
This comes as an addition to our “Morning Starter” show on radio where we play similar songs to get your day started.
Follow us @praiseworld_ on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok for more updates. God bless you.
With Love from all of us at Praiseworld Radio
❤
The 2024 Grammy Awards saw Lecrae, Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tye Tribbettt, and Blind Boys of Alabama shine bright. See below the full list of winners for the gospel/Christian music categories.
Best Gospel Performance/Song
- Stanley Brown ft. Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard & Karen Clark Sheard – God Is Good
- Erica Campbell – Feel Alright (Blessed)
- Zacardi Cortez – Lord Do It For Me (Live)
- Melvin Crispell III – God Is
- Kirk Franklin – All Things
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
- Blessing Offor – Believe
- Cody Carnes – Firm Foundation (He Won’t) [Live]
- Lauren Daigle – Thank God I Do
- for KING & COUNTRY ft. Jordin Sparks – Love Me Like I Am
- Lecrae & Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Your Power
- Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – God Problems
Best Gospel Album
- Erica Campbell – I Love You
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Hymns (Live)
- Maverick City Music – The Maverick Way
- Jonathan McReynolds – My Truth
- Tye Tribbett – All Things New: Live In Orlando
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
- Blessing Offor – My Tribe
- Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – Emanuel
- Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle
- Lecrae – Church Clothes 4
- Phil Wickham – I Believe
Best Roots Gospel Album
- The Blackwood Brothers Quartet – Tribute to the King
- Blind Boys of Alabama – Echoes of the South
- Becky Isaacs Bowman – Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times
- Brian Free & Assurance – Meet Me at the Cross
- Gaither Vocal Band – Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light
News
Tope Alabi, Ebuka Songs, Mike Abdul, Gordons to headline the second edition of Alimosho Arise, in Lagos
Alimosho Arise is a concert that seeks to mobilize people within its environment and beyond to the call for a better Nigeria. It is a night of praise, prayer, miracle and salvation. It’s a night of ‘songfare’ and warfare.
With a star-studded line up of performances from top Nigerian artistes including Tope Alabi, Ebukd Songs, Lilian Nneji, Bidemi Olaoba, Mike Abdul, Beejay Sax, Psalmos, and other gifted music ministers, it promises to be a night of high energy praise, worship, and diverse expressions of God with something for everyone. Also, top comedians like Gordons, Forever rfc, Asiri comedy, and Saco are set to crack your ribs with hilarious jokes.
The event will hold live in Alimosho LGA in Lagos State, on Friday, 19th January 2024 from 8pm. Venue is Calvary Bible Church, Church Street, End of Anjorin Street, Calvary Bus stop, Ikotun-Idimu road, Lagos.
The event will also be streaming to thousands of viewers all around the world on YouTube and Facebook on @cbcnigeria, with Dj Horphuray and Dj Mordu grinding the wheels of steels.
Get ready, for something is about to happen!
Be a part of this movement by spreading this message.
In His Steps Movement will be holding the 13th edition of its annual Youth Camp in Lagos, Nigeria from December 26 – 29. The IHS Camp is a flagship event that has traversed various Nigerian cities and has been transforming lives since its inception in 2011.
Known for delivering outstanding gospel projects, the In His Steps Movement has become synonymous with impactful initiatives such as the In His Steps magazine, The Judah Project, and the widely acclaimed Thr3e Podcast, that was previously syndicated across Nigerian and US radio stations, including Praiseworld Radio.
This year’s IHS camp promises to be an unforgettable experience, building on the success of previous editions that featured guest ministers like Pastor Ayo Okeowo, Florocka, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, Tosin Sanni, Okey Sokay, Tola Omoniyi, among others.
The 2023 edition will continue this tradition of excellence, featuring an esteemed lineup of guest ministers, including Chimamaka Ige, Pastor Yele Adebiyi, Gaise Baba, Funmilola Banjoko, and more. The camp will offer three days of spiritual enrichment, fellowship and fun, providing a unique opportunity for young Christians to connect with fellow believers and be encouraged on their faith journey.
In His Steps camp has earned a reputation as the go-to event for young Christians, offering a transformative experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Participants can expect dynamic worship sessions, impactful teachings, lots of fun and a supportive community that fosters personal and spiritual growth.
You should watch this video for an insight into what to expect at the camp and visit their website: www.ihsmovement.org, for more information
Follow for updates on Instagram @ihs_mag
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