This is Christian inspirational music at its finest. Well written songs in a variety of styles with a personal message of the peace and love of Jesus Christ. 12 original songs with a bonus arrangement of "Soon and Very Soon". Hear to believe.

13 MP3 Songs
SPIRITUAL: Contemporary Christian, SPIRITUAL: Inspirational

Details:
As I grew up, I was always a part of my church's music ministry - whether it be in handbells, choir or orchestra. I just loved making music to the Lord in any way that I could! It wasn't until the age of 17 that I became the song leader and choir director for Maryville Friends Church in Maryville, Tennessee and discovered the joy of serving the Lord by leading music for worship.

However, I was in college before I really felt called into full time music ministry. After my sophomore year as music composition major I suddenly got a strong urge to write the church from my youth, Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. I asked if I could come back and be a music intern for the summer. Terry Price, one of my dear friends and mentors, contacted me and let me know that I was welcome to come and be a part of their music ministry. It was during that summer that I received my call from the Lord to enter music ministry.

After that summer, I returned to Tennessee and took an interim position at First Baptist Church in Andersonville. After finishing my degree at University of Tennessee, I moved back to Dallas and began studies at Southern Methodist University (SMU). During my time at SMU, I served at Red Oak United Methodist Church, leading the traditional choir, handbell choir and starting a vibrant children's choir ministry.

After graduating from SMU with a masters degree in choral conducting and a masters degree in Sacred Music, I served in Graham, Texas at First United Methodist and then later at Plymouth Park United Methodist Church in Irving, Texas.

Until that time, I had dedicated myself to the art of "classical" or traditional choral music and instrumental conducting. Then, a transformational experience at the Brooklyn Tabernacle Music Conference in 2004 opened my heart to contemporary worship. I realized that music was a gift from God to use to worship Him. It is not our preferences that matter, but rather that our hearts are fully engaged in meaningful communion with God and that we are lead to worship at the Foot of the Throne. God wants our hearts and the first fruits of our labors through the gifts that He has given us. That is to say, that we should give God our most excellent worship - no matter in what style we may find ourselves. If we are singing a Renaissance motet, we must sing that with our very best and from our hearts, just as we may sing praise choruses or extemporaneous or prophetic songs.

Time spent with Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine and Blake and Jenna Bolerjack has helped to reawaken God's gift of composition in me. Although I studied music composition formally, my love for writing was for the most part dormant until just a few years ago. Since then, God has been writing songs through me. I don't really see myself so much as a composer as I consider myself very fortunate to allow God to deliver his Word of victory and joy through my humble act of writing.

Since that time, I have lead the Worship Arts ministry at Heritage Church in Van Buren, Arkansas - developing worship teams and worshipping God.

As of the fall of 2007, I have given my time fully to raising my son, Reid, and writing, recording, performing and spreading God's Word through traveling from church to church, or to wherever God leads me to sing and lead worship.

This CD comes out of a deep desire to share the message of love and peace that one can have by accepting Jesus Christ. I spent 2 years in the writing of the songs and about 10 months recording it. My prayer is that you will hear it and your relationship with God will be strengthened!

I am married to my lovely
and incredible wife,
Libby and have great joy in
helping raise my son, Reid.

People who are interested in Michael W. Smith Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Israel Houghton should consider this download.