Last April I had the privilege of leading over 5000 folks (mostly men) in worship a the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY. The sound was overpowering at times, particularly when we got to verses that unpacked the salvation Jesus secured for us through his substitutionary death.
Since the conference, we’ve been asked whether or not any part of the singing had been recorded. As a matter of fact, all of it was. And we’ve been working on a CD made up of 16 hymns from the conference. They include older hymns like And Can it Be, It Is Well, and How Firm a Foundation, as well as modern hymns like The Power of the Cross (Getty/Townend) and Before the Throne of God Above (Bancroft/Cook).
As we worked on the mixes I was often overcome by the truths that were being proclaimed and the responses of those who were singing. It’s a different experience when there are no drums, no synths, no bass…just a piano and voices. Besides the piano accompaniment, there’s not a lot there to grab you except for the truths that are being sung. What a concept. So at various times guys were shouting, clapping, and making noise because singing just didn’t seem to be enough.
This is definitely a different CD for us (no drums…), but one I’m grateful to be part of. I know it will specifically encourage people who love traditional hymns sung with passion. I trust that for others it will show that great hymns don’t have to be highly produced or re-arranged to stir our hearts to praise the Savior.
We hope to have the CD out in early December. In the mean time, here’s a sample of A Mighty Fortress is Our God. You can also hear it on the Sovereign Grace Music Facebook page.
And because someone asked, here’s the song list:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
It Is Well with My Soul
How Firm a Foundation
Oh the Deep, Deep Love
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
How Sweet and Aweful Is the Place
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
I Will Glory in My Redeemer
Arise, My Soul, Arise
The Power of the Cross
My Song Is Love Unknown
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood
Before the Throne of God Above
In Christ Alone
We’ll also be offering some of the songs for free download from the Sovereign Grace store. I’ll post more information as I get it.
