NEW WORSHIP FRIDAY: REVERE, Leslie Jordan, Unified Sound, Outbreakband & Citizens
Behold (King of Glory)
REVERE gathered artists from the United States and South America to craft songs of intimacy and renewed devotion in the summer of 2021. One of the first fruits of this now global movement of worship was “Behold (King of Glory),” a song written by Sarah Kroger, Dwan Hill, Jessica Hitte, and Addison Bevere. This new version is one of three new powerful recordings of the song with a Spanish and a Portuguese version to come in the next few weeks. The third single from REVERE’s 2023 live album is reintroduced as a full-band version, led by David and Nicole Binion. The unified pursuit of God in this song creates an inviting call to an encounter with the Holy One, making space to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and express His greatness. “Behold (King of Glory) carries REVERE’s core desire to inspire the Church to embrace her purpose of wholehearted, selfless, and boundary-breaking worship again.
You Are With Me
Leslie Jordan introduces “You Are With Me,” a deeply personal song written as her and her husband were journeying through the process of adopting their son in 2017. Wishing to hear, see, or find God amid the confusion, this song was crafted much like a Psalm. “You Are With Me” doesn’t shy away from moments of darkness, but it also turns into a hopeful melody in the face of doubt. Leslie describes her song as one of “desperation and vulnerability,” themes not always common in Christian contexts and yet inspiring for people to find language and permission to express their feelings, much like the Psalms do.
Written alongside her friend Sandra McCracken, who released a first version of the song in 2020, this single was inspired by the Valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 as well as the comfort announced in Isaiah 40, two scriptural passages that mirrored Leslie’s experience. The central message of “You Are With Me” is one of dwelling on the promise of God’s presence – the Helper promised by Christ – through which we are never alone.
Leslie hopes that the stripped-back nature of this recording will allow listeners to feel their way through times of darkness, while landing back on the sure ground that God has never left them.
Cantaremos
Unified Sound introduces their upcoming first ever live album with new song “Cantaremos.” The single is a medley of songs from influential worship leader Dr. Ron Kenoly and features him on the track. “Cantaremos” blends three of his greatest releases – “Ancient of Days,” “Sing Out,” and “Lift Him Up” – in Unified Sound’s signature fusion of Latin rhythms and highly melodic tones. With this new single, Unified Sound captures the essence of Dr. Ron Kenoly’s hope- filled and joyful worship. Their prayer is for the international Church to continue embracing the sound of the Kingdom of heaven.
“The world is big, God’s creation is big, and music is endless,” says the band. “It’s important for the Church to break the mold and expand their worship experience to every tongue, every tribe, and every nation worshiping our God together.”
“Cantaremos” mirrors the exhortation of Psalm 98 to “make a joyful noise unto the
Lord.”
Der Name Jesus (Akustik)
Germany’s leading worship group Outbreakband announces the release of an acoustic EP comprised of standout songs from their latest album, “Jesus.” They introduce a reimagined acoustic version of “Der Name Jesus” as the first single kicking off a season of new music. This song carries the band’s vision to bring new German worship songs into the Christian landscape.
when we pray (acoustic)
Citizens release their second acoustic single, “when we pray.” The new stripped-back, piano-led version highlights lead singer Zach Bolen’s raw and emotive vocals. Co- written with Canadian singer-songwriter Ben Cantelon, “when we pray” emerged from a conversation expressing thoughts around the phrase “in Jesus’ name.” With simple honesty, Zach says that his “first instinct was to push against the idea of writing a song with that phrase because of how often it has been used as a cliche, or even worse, as some sort of magical saying.” Yet, the song seeks to bring something new to the conversation around the significance of praying in the name of Jesus. Citizens embrace the tension, encouraging listeners that it’s often in that place of uncertainty that our faith becomes tangible.
“Let’s consider what it would look like to spend more time together as a church praying in the name of Jesus for the good of those who don’t dress like us, talk like us, look like us, believe like us, or agree with us,” Zach concludes.