This summer has been rich with new worship releases. I’ve recently caught up with Dante Bowe, Crowder, Shane & Shane and Elias Dummer to talk about their new music, the heart behind these songs, and to get their worship leading tips to share with you!
Check out the video interviews right here or click the links below to access the audio version on your favorite podcast platform!
My latest guest on the Praise & Worship Podcast is Kristen Brewer, writer and producer for Sight & Sound’s production of Queen Esther! She is also heading up SEEN Collective, using original music to tell the stories of women in the Bible and the God who saw them. Kristen joined me to talk about the heart behind SEEN Collective, and shared about the characters and songs they’ve inspired. I hope you’re encouraged (like I am) by these insights! Be sure to listen to the end for information on how you can interact or get involved.
Plus, Kristen played the tambourine for a live performance of Tamar’s song “Roadside”, and I had a few questions about that experience!
This week’s Praise & Worship Playlist is inspired by my conversation with Brian & Jenn Johnson and their latest songs “God Of Revival” and “Sing His Praise Again”. That means mini-themes of revival and stirring up praise in our hearts to the One who makes a way! Check out the lineup below. And enjoy the video interview right here on my blog or find the podcast on your favorite platform! Here are all the links to this episode on my Instagram page–or find the audio version on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud and more. Or copy this RSS link to search for it wherever you listen to podcasts: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:761337088/sounds.rss
Wow, what a year! I’m so thankful for the worship songs that released at just the right times to help us have hope in our hearts and praise on our lips through 2020. Check out the 2020 Praise & Worship special playlist below—and tune in Sunday morning for a rebroadcast of this lineup from 6-10AM!I’m also grateful to have launched WJTL’s Praise & Worship Podcast right before the pandemic began. Our collective circumstances (and Zoom!) helped to bring out some great conversations with worship leaders–both national and local–sharing what songs are ministering to their own hearts and also their congregations. They also shared worship leading tips, inspiration and plenty of stories behind the songs we sang this year. And they, too, were surprised at God’s timing. Lining the right songs up for just the right seasons!
Speaking of, one of the biggest songs of this season has been “The Blessing”. I caught up with Kari Jobe to hear all about it!
Find the links to watch and listen below, and subscribe wherever you connect because there are more episodes coming soon!
Many of the songs we sing at church have a story. I think of them kind of like a banner flown after a battle is fought and won. The writer has been through so much to get to the point where they can sing those words! So, join me to hear the worship leaders tell their stories on the Praise & Worship Podcast.
Whether you’re a worship leader, or someone who loves to worship, knowing these stories brings the songs to life even more and gives us even more reason to sing!
Episode 12 features special guest, Lauren Lee of North Point Worship! She has released a couple new songs with the group in 2020, which is a year she hoped would have “less polish and more authenticity”. We talked about this season and worship leaders she’s appreciating lately. Plus, the story behind “Light Breaking Through“, which came out of her experience with postpartum depression. We talked about our middles names, her obsession with punctuality and much more!
Episode 11 features special guest, Kirby Kaple of Housefires! I’m truly thrilled to bring you our conversation. Housefires is releasing brand new singles these days, with a very special new studio version of “I’ll Give Thanks”. Kirby co-wrote and sung it while on a 7-year infertility journey, and now is talking about it from the other side. IVF is part of her story, so listen for details on her process. There are also keys here for worship leaders, leading through their own very difficult seasons. And, as Kirby and I are both quarantined at home for this interview, spoiler alert, our kids and dogs adorably interrupt!
Today is the 3rd Sunday in a row that my family watched our church service from home. These weeks have involved new adjustments along with a lot to process. You can probably relate! Songs are helping. I heard from lots of friends about what they’re singing these days during this week’s #worshipleaderwednesday conversation on social media. And I caught up with worship leader, Jared Anderson, to find out how he and his large family are impacted by the Coronavirus. They’re on official lockdown in Colorado. I asked him about his song picks for this season, too. He’s been going LIVE on social media each evening for Nights of Song (6-7 Eastern), sometimes with a friend or family members. I loved that Jared shared his heart and mind, and that he’s sharing the gift of music as an offering to help others while also steadying his family. I also 100% love that Jared is fun to talk with and lives in a colorful home!
Episode 7 also features Neal Harmon, CEO of VidAngel: a filtering service with access to familiar titles and original content, allowing you to skip the stuff you’d otherwise fast-forward and mute. That’s good news if you need a laugh from Dry Bar Comedy or are looking for something spiritual for the family like The Chosen. You may have heard about this first-ever multiple-episode tv series based on the life of Jesus and the impact he had on those closest to him. My husband and I recently binged it. So, as a fan, I was eager to geek about about with Neal. Listen to the podcast to find out when season 2 is coming out – and how it’s being affected by the Coronavirus. Plus, Neal shares his favorite character and scene, and some fun stories behind-the-scenes.
Episode 6 features special guest Tiffany Hammer of Elevation Worship. I caught up with her over FaceTime while she was at The Batch Maker, her go-to coffee shop in Charlotte, NC. Hear what she orders. She told me highlights of her weekend, including Valentine’s Day and Elevation Church‘s 14th birthday. Plus, we talk about her musical family with PA roots, how she got involved at Elevation Church, the writing process of the song “Never Lost”, what songs she and her congregation are into lately, her role in the process of launching Elevation Rhythm and what she’d splurge on if someone gave her some spending money!
New in 2020: more ways to connect with Praise & Worship on WJTL!
Follow @WJTLradio_PNW on Instagram for Worship Song of the Day details, new release information, tips for worship leaders, themes in the works and personal encouragement. You’ll also get a heads up on WJTL’s Praise & Worship Podcast, which you can find on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud. Episodes are up now from Paul Baloche and LCBC’s Matt Goss–and more are coming soon.
And if you love a theme as much as I do, I’m making highlight playlists on Spotify. The first one for 2020: “Fixed & Focused“. It’s loaded with songs from this week’s program, encouraging us to keep our eyes on Jesus: the Author & Perfector of our faith.
Listen, Sing, Follow, Subscribe — I’d love to connect with you!
