I think everyone who listens to worship music has heard of Hillsong Worship. They're one of the most influential bands in Christian music. They've been around for over 20 years. Their goal is to amplify the name of Jesus through music. The worship band recently released their new song, "Fresh Wind." I spoke with Hillsong Worship band member Brooke Ligertwood about their latest song, as well as their new compilation, Take Heart (Again).
You can agree that 2020 was a heavy year. But, there's a lot of hope for 2021. What are you looking forward to in the new year?
You said it. There is so much hope for 2021. Pruning is the image that keeps coming back to me lately. Healthy things get pruned. Pruning is painful and even ugly. But, it's so necessary to the health and long-term fruitfulness of what's being pruned. I think there's more pruning to come. But. I pray that as we, as individuals and as Christ's church, are yielded to God's careful and loving hand. The long-term fruit and longevity of health are going to be so worth it.
Hillsong Worship recently released a new song, "Fresh Wind." It's such a timely tune for this time. What's the story behind it?
Every February, our senior pastor brings vision and visionary language that frames our year. Last year, it was "wind of the Spirit, the fragrance of heaven." The weekend that our pastor started teaching from that framework, David Ware was leading worship. In rehearsal for service, he started spontaneously singing the section that's now the song's chorus. And, they performed it at the church service that evening.
The rest of the song was wrestled throughout the remainder of the year. Some songs came quickly, others were labored over, prayed through, and came with no small amount of discomfort. This is the latter for sure. I think it needed to be this way so that the prayer could get in our spirits before it went beyond our own backyard. And, God being sovereign, I believe the song was ready right on time.
Recently, Hillsong released the compilation album, Take Heart (Again). What's the inspiration behind the project?
Take Heart (Again) is a brand new album comprised of songs from our church, Hillsong. These songs have resonated with our church throughout this current season of history. We completely re-approached and rerecorded these classics as new songs, featuring faces and voices from all three of our worship expressions across three continents.
It was emotional when I saw the final edit for the first time. Even though we've been separated geographically for almost a year now, our team is still one in heart, one in service, and one in mission and cause.
We have prayed that this project brings these familiar songs with fresh weight, to compel people to worship Jesus, and usher in His presence to homes and earphones anywhere and everywhere.
With the release of "Fresh Wind" and Take Heart (Again), are there any plans for an upcoming Hillsong Worship album?
Definitely, we have plans for a new worship album.
The pandemic has been hard on a lot of artists, and I'm sure it's been hard for you as well. What has it been like for Hillsong Worship not being able to tour?
We had a tour that was postponed, then postponed again. The hardest part of postponing this tour was disappointing people. We will tour again once it's as safe as possible to do so. And, we're fully prepared that it may look different.
And here's the thing, our ministry is first to the Lord and then to people. No pandemic can ever stop that fact. If anything, it amplifies the urgency. So, the methods of delivery may change, but our cause and commitment remain.
How can we be praying for you, as well as for the band?
Thank you so much for asking. Please pray that I and we would be an instrument He can play, however, He wants to.
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road-trips.
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