Christian artist Ginny Owens has spent nearly three decades crafting songs that blend thoughtful theology with accessible, heartfelt melodies. Now living in New York City and serving as a worship director, the acclaimed singer-songwriter returns with her new EP, Different Kind of Water. In this conversation, she shares the heart behind the project, how living outside Nashville has shaped her songwriting, and her vision for equipping the next generation of worship leaders.
You have a new project called Different Kind of Water. Can you tell us the story behind it?
Yes. It’s called Different Kind of Water, and it’s essentially a collection of songs I wrote about the questions I’ve had. Questions I think we’ve all had about life and how things work. We often look to other things to satisfy us, but the true love of our hearts is always waiting there for us. So, a lot of these songs are about that.
I live in New York City, and I wrote many of these songs with my friends who are not believers in mind. I wanted to think about how to make the truth and beauty of who Jesus is accessible—in conversation and in music. Every song touches on some aspect of life that I believe Jesus completes and speaks to.
Listening to the EP, it’s deeply spiritual but not necessarily traditional worship. It feels like a project for people who are asking questions about faith. What was the songwriting process like?
Thank you. I love writing, but I am a slow writer. Some of these songs took three or four years to finish because I wanted to get them right. I would work on a song for a season, put it away, and then come back to it.
I had great co-writers on every song—people willing to dig into what I started and help me finish it well. Since I don’t live in Nashville anymore, there were lots of audio messages and texts back and forth. It was fun to learn that you can write without being in the same room.
You’ve been making music for nearly three decades. How do you approach songwriting at this stage in your career?
Writing music never gets old, and my love for it hasn’t lessened. I kind of can’t keep writing.
As I’ve gotten older and busier—I’m also a director of worship at a church in New York—there’s always a lot on my plate. I’ve learned to co-write more to save time, so songs don’t take a decade to finish.
Being outside the center of the Christian music world has helped me think more thoughtfully about my lyrics. I ask myself: What do I want to say about my life and my journey of faith to the average person on the street? To someone who thinks Jesus is archaic or irrelevant. I’ve learned to take my time thinking through those questions.
What has serving as a worship director in New York taught you?
Church work is messy—because we’re all there. But it’s been incredibly formative.
I’ve realized how important lyrics are—not just good lyrics, but melodies that are accessible so the entire church can sing them, no matter their generation. They need to be memorable, too, so that in the middle of the week, when someone feels like they’re in a pit, they can pull up that song from Sunday and sing it to their heart.
I think a lot about crafting songs that church bodies can cling to and return to—songs that remind them how much Jesus loves them and how powerful He is.
Your music has evolved over the years—from Love Be the Loudest to this new project, which leans into pop, R&B, and even jazz influences. What drives those creative shifts?
I love songwriting, and I love listening to songwriters. But at my core, I’m probably a pop person. I love accessible music with a message.
I grew up in a very R&B and gospel world, so even though I love organic guitar and piano, I always want a groove and a strong hook. Living in New York, I’ve also been influenced by a lot of jazz around me. I leaned more into that R&B-jazz side on this record. It just felt like the direction to go. I’m not sure I would have explored that had I stayed in Nashville.
You also have a heart for ministry and outreach. You’re launching a new nonprofit this spring. Tell us about that.
Yes. We’ve created a new nonprofit called The Asaph Project. Asaph was one of David’s worship leaders in the Old Testament and is credited with writing many Psalms. The Asaph Project will help guide and train worship leaders in doing ministry well. It will also have an arm dedicated to writing songs for the church. I’m excited to launch it.
As you balance touring, leading worship, and launching this nonprofit, how can we be praying for you?
There are so many ways. Life is busy between traveling and serving at my church. I would love a prayer for stamina, but also for vision—for what to do next and maybe even what to leave on the table and not do. Those decisions feel important in this season.
---
Ginny Owens’ Different Kind of Water reflects the thoughtful faith of a seasoned songwriter who continues to grow, ask questions, and craft music that points listeners to the one who truly satisfies.
Bradden Ford is a Christian music enthusiast responsible for managing NewReleaseToday's new release database of artists and albums. He resides just outside Nashville, Tennessee.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1296 - Mary-Clair
A candid conversation about faith, vulnerability, and finding God
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!MOVIE REVIEW Miracle
NRT reviews the new movie after attending the premiere
NEW!SERIES REVIEW
A Night At Wingfeather
We attended the show's premiere of the Angel Studios animated show
NEW!NRT LISTS
Worship Into 2026
Standout new worship releases that invite the Church to sing and reflect
NEW!THE CHH DROP
#261 - Gavin the Hotrod
What's new this week in Christian rap and hip-hop
