Vertical Church Band's live worship albums have been highly anticipated since their first release Live Worship From Vertical Church, which included the hit songs "Not for a Moment (After All)" and "Open up the Heavens," featuring worship leader Meredith Andrews. They followed that up with more songs for the church, including "The Rock Won't Move," "Found in You," "Lamb of God" and "Spirit of the Living God."

Frontiers is the fourth full-length worship album by Vertical Church Band. The group is a ministry formed out of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, composed of worship leaders Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Andi Rozier, Kyle Fredericks, Jon Guerra, Lauren Smith, Tara Stutes and Gabe Finochio. I had the chance to speak with Andi Rozier about the anthemic title track "Frontiers."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

This song was actually written in the first songwriting session during the first songwriting retreat for this album. That was a bit of a strange thing for us. For every album, we probably write more than 70 songs. The first retreat is generally more about getting to know each other better, getting re-acclimated from time apart between albums and talking about what to write about. Songwriting is perceived to be glamorous, and it's really not. Matt Redman has said it is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. 

We were in this big house in Nashville writing, and we actually found this space in a large bathroom, which was so large it had a full-size couch in it. There was room to set up a keyboard and make some space, and the acoustics are always great in a bathroom. One of the things we always ask ourselves when we write songs is what we don't have a song about yet. All of us at the time, which included myself, Jacob Sooter and a new artist/writer named Lindsey Sweat, started talking about standing and looking out and asking God what He has for us next. A number of Scriptures came up around that conversation, including Psalm 25, which is about asking the Lord to show us His ways and saying "I will wait for You." Also Psalm 61, which came up a lot during The Rock Won't Move album, which says "lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." That became a pinnacle verse in this song. The chorus and verses came quickly after that.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV): "Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."

Psalm 61:2 (NIV): "From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

Romans 8:37 (NIV): "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV): "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."

Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV): "I will lift up my eyes to the hills--From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth."

Isaiah 51:6 (NKJV): "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished."

John 18:36 (VOICE): "My kingdom is not recognized in this world. If this were My kingdom, My servants would be fighting for My freedom. But My kingdom is not in this physical realm."

Hebrews 13:14 (NLT): "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come."

What is the takeaway message?

The song starts with a confession when I'm a dark place and I can't even hear God's voice above my will and the things that I want. The chorus acknowledges that God's power can lead us way beyond what we can accomplish, and leads us where we need to be. The thing that paralyzes us is fear, an unwillingness to step out into the unknown and take a leap of faith. God's love casts out all fear and can lead me beyond the end of myself. God always has greater things ahead and has the best things for us. 

This song is the summary of the conversations we had about those truths. We cast a vision for the album with this song, asking God to take us and lead us. I'm never going to be absent from fear. The idea in this song of standing on the frontiers of God's love and acknowledging that God has overcome my fears with His love allows us to remember that if we step out towards God, we are always stepping towards something good. That's how this song has personally ministered to me. 

"Frontiers" is an invitation for the local church not only to sing about something more, but to live for something more. The songs on this album serve as a starting point for individuals to exalt Christ over every aspect of their lives.

Lyrics:
I cannot feel Your love so strong and still,
From where I've hidden.
I cannot hear Your voice above my will,
But still You listen.

And all the while,
You call me to Your grace,
All that I undid fades.

Lead me to the end of myself,
Take me to the edge of something greater.

I'm looking out beyond this great unknown,
Though I can't see it.
One day I'll see the place You call my home,
Lord, I'll be near it.

And all the while,
You call me to Your grace,
All that I undid fades.

Lead me to the end of myself,
Take me to the edge of something greater.
Lead me to the end of myself,
Take me to the edge of something greater.

I am standing on the great frontiers,
Of Your love, of Your love.
You have overcome my deepest fears,
With Your love, with Your love.

I am standing on the great frontiers,
Of Your love, of Your love.
You have overcome my deepest fears,
With Your love, with Your love.

I am standing on the great frontiers,
Of Your love, of Your love.
You have overcome my deepest fears,
With Your love, with Your love.

Lead me to the end of myself,
Take me to the edge of something greater.
Lead me to the end of myself,
Take me to the edge of something greater.
Something greater.

Vertical Church Band has consistently impressed me with their mature and biblical faith and sincere desire to serve Jesus. Being a Christian father of three young daughters, these songs all reflect the yearning for Jesus to make us brave that I pray for my daughters to feel in their hearts as well. The eternal Love of Jesus is beautifully expressed in these compelling songs that seep into your heart, soul and mind. This song takes me to a heavenly realm as I celebrate these truths: "I'm looking out beyond this great unknown, though I can't see it. One day I'll see the place You call my home, Lord, I'll be near it."

We all deal with some level of fear, worry and anxiety. God knows that about us, and after I read somewhere that He tells us to not have fear or worry in His Word 365 times, enough for one time each day, I have been attentive to that concept in my daily Bible study. I have found that by being washed by the water of the Word, I am strengthened with the Truth that God wants us to know that fear, worry and being anxious is not His plan for our lives. 

By reading the Bible every day, God wants us to have a daily reminder not to be afraid. This is a wonderful song that really brings me into a state of personal worship. This song is about submitting all of your worries, anxieties and stress to God and letting Him be your guide. God wants to walk beside you, and He wants us to be bold and unafraid.

Believing the words of this song is a great way to work on the disciplines of self-examination and prayer. You can know Jesus personally. Reach out to Him and know with certainty that "perfect love casts out fear." This album is all about finding our true identity in Christ. He is the answer. A great comfort of this song is to allow the Truth of these words to sink in: "You have overcome my deepest fears with Your love, with Your love. Lead me to the end of myself, Take me to the edge of something greater." Amen to that!

Watch the music video below.