Mel Crothers is an Australian worship leader and singer/songwriter. She's been producing music and leading worship in churches around Australia, Asia and the U.S. for 10 years. Ministry was never what she imagined she'd do with her life.
Mel grew up in a non-churchgoing family who loved music and theatre. From a very young age, Mel's plan was to be a musical theatre star. She took every opportunity given to her. After graduating high school, Mel attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
She was on her way to becoming a big-time theatre star. But, God had a very different plan for her life. When Mel graduated, she chose to follow God's plan and never looked back. God's path for us is always the best and will never disappoint.
Mel lives with her husband, Daron, and her two children, Tayah and Joel. Mel and her family are very involved in church planting. They have been involved in planting four churches in the past eight years, as well as training pastors throughout the Asia South East Pacific region. Life is certainly not boring. It’s full and varied but that's just how we like it.
Tell us about your latest single, “The Declaration.”
"The Declaration" is the third single from a project I'm working on called The Worship Singles, a series of songs released through 2020 that are centred around simple, sincere, honest worship. Written together with my husband, Daron, "The Declaration" is a call for the earth to worship the Lord, as stated in Psalm 96. This song is a call for the church to sing out and declare among the nations how good and faithful God is.
We believe this is one of those ‘for such a time as this’ songs. Now, more than ever, the importance of declaring God’s rule and reign over the earth is desperately needed. This is the time for the church of Christ to stand tall and proclaim God’s goodness and love for His children. Our prayer is that this song will facilitate the coming together of beliefs of every generation, tribe, and tongue in worship of our sovereign King.
You're releasing multiple worship singles that will continue into 2021. What’s coming up?
Just like for everyone else, 2020 has been such a rollercoaster year for us. And, in some ways, I can’t wait to have a little break. But, the Lord is beginning to give me some ideas for 2021 that I hope to announce soon.
I can’t wait to get on a plane again. Usually, I’d be heading out somewhere every month. And, for the past five years have always made at least one trip to the United States. I really miss being out on the road meeting people. But, at this stage, I’m not sure when travel beyond the shores of Australia will happen.
Since we’re in the holiday season, do you have any favorite Christmas or New Year traditions you can share?
Well, of course. In Australia, Christmas means it’s summer vacation time. So, we’re getting excited about the backyard barbecues, trips to the beach, as well as warm summer nights on the porch.
Our Christmas traditions generally start with the tree going up at the beginning of December, while gradually adding a few Christmas songs to our playlists. And, because it’s summer, we have a great tradition called Carols by Candlelight. Basically, it involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by candlelight, with live music and entertainment. It’s always a great opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas with the community.
God is speaking to us all in different ways in 2020. How has He been stretching you this year?
Oh, wow. Well, I think everyone has been stretched in some way this year. It’s been unique, that’s for certain. My word for 2020 from the Lord was ‘wisdom.’ Earlier in the year, I thought it meant I was to study the Word a bit more and grow in knowledge (always a good thing to do anyway). But, I’ve come to see that it was more a word about seeking His wisdom.
Throughout all the craziness of 2020, as event after event was cancelled, as we hurried to get church online, artist content online, as we wondered how we were going to pay the bills, through all the uncertainty, God was there reminding us that none of this was a surprise to Him.
God knew the COVID-19 pandemic was coming and He knew the way forward for us. We just had to pray and trust He would give us the wisdom we needed for each decision. It’s certainly not been a year I would like to repeat again. But, God has been faithfully with us the whole time.
How can we be praying for you?
Please pray that the ministry God has called me to would be powerful and effective for His glory. Please pray that the music I release would be used by God in seeing his kingdom come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.
I would also love prayer for God’s continued guidance in where best to focus my efforts. With such a broad range of ministry from worship and music to church planting (I also recently started an e-commerce business). I can sometimes not give enough focus to the right area at the right time. And, by the way, we’re on track to plant another church in 2021.
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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