“I’ve come across many amazing musicians in my life, but few are like Adam Cappa, who has a true passion for the Lord above anything else in his life and is extremely talented as well. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for this new artist.” — Jeremy Camp. 

Twenty-five year old new BEC Recordings artist Adam Cappa first met fellow Indiana native Jeremy Camp through a mutual friend. The chart-topping rock/worship artist generously welcomed Adam to his home studio to record some demos and offer insights about music and ministry.

Fast forward, and Cappa has released The Rescue--an album co-written and produced with Camp and Andy Dodd (Switchfoot, Plain White T’s). The Rescue bears comparison to Cappa’s mentor with its biblically insightful themes and emotionally stirring arrangements. It also brings to mind Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin respectively through subtle European production values and a crystalline singing voice that engages both pop and praise listeners alike. 

The first single and title track “The Rescue” is a fine example of all those elements. Born from the story of Peter stepping off the boat in Matthew 14, its initially heavy tone is lightened by a heavenward chorus: “I’m so far down, but this time around I’m keeping my eyes on You / You are the rescue.” 

“This was one of the first ideas I brought to the table,” remembers Adam about writing the song. “I thought of moments in my life when I was crying out to Jesus, drowning and desperate to be rescued by a Savior.” I had the chance to interview Adam about his song “The Rescue.” 

Please tell me the story behind writing the song "The Rescue."

It was one of the song ideas that I brought to the table in the recording process. It was a very nerve-racking experience--co-writing songs with Jeremy Camp and Andy Dodd--knowing how incredibly talented they are and the impact they’ve had on the industry. It was overwhelming. I didn’t know if they’d like my idea and I had prepped myself for rejection. I remember playing the hook of the chorus, “I need You right now, Here in this moment” and Jeremy was totally supportive. We started digging into it, and the idea is based on our desperation for Christ. One of the main lines of the song is “I'm keeping my eyes on You.” 

We started talking about what that means, and I shared how I had been reading about Peter in the Book of Matthew 14. In the story, Peter is called to step out of the boat and he was able to walk on the water until he took his eyes off Christ and then he started to sink. It made me think of those moments in my life when I’ve taken my eyes off Christ and I’ve fallen. People focus on Peter’s lack of faith in that passage, but I also think about the great faith it inspired; that’s when he understood only Jesus could save him. He realized that turning to Christ is the only answer.

Please tell me about the Bible verses you used in writing the song?

Matthew 14:29-31: “So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” 

...and Psalm 71:1-3: “In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my Rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.”

How can listeners apply that message when they listen to the song and watch the music video? 

I find Peter’s story encouraging, because that’s the type of faith that I want. In my moment of need, I want to look towards Jesus and cry to Him--even in those moments when I don’t think I need anything at all. Just knowing that He’s there is all I need. The song reminds me to turn to Him, knowing and understanding that regardless of our circumstances, Jesus is still our Savior, our Redeemer and our Rescuer. I want listeners to have that type of faith, that we can trust Him. 

In making the music video, we talked in-depth about the common issues we encounter from people out on the road, and relationships are such a heavy issue and there are a lot of problems in marriages. I was in youth ministry for five years, and I saw a lot of divorce and broken homes. It seemed the right direction to go with the music video. Fighting parents affects a lot of people. We liked the picture of the kid looking to the stars and seeking refuge by getting closer to God, that he would be rescued. It gave me chills when we were filming it and he was building the rocket ship and the parents realized that they had completely lost sight of what was most important. Keeping our eyes on Him is what’s most important, and when the parents come to their senses and come to their child, they get the point.

Lyrics:
Have you ever lost your way,
Getting by with no direction?
Living always so afraid,
Of the fear that fills your mind.
And you could go on and on and on like this,
But you'll never find that peace exists. 
You don't have to be, you don't have to be alone.
There's a better way, it's never to late to say,

I need You right now, 
Here in this moment,
I'm losing ground,
Can't keep going,
I'm calling out,
For You to rescue me.
Don't want to drown right now, 
Here in this ocean,
I'm so far down,
Can't keep moving.
This time around,
I'm keeping my eyes on You.
You are the rescue, 

You are the rescue.

Is it hard to find your words? 
To say what you've been thinking?
Have you taken what’s not yours?
Running by your desperation.
You could go on and on and on like this, 
But you'll never find a love like His.
You don't have to be, you don't have to be alone.
Oh.

Woah. Woah. I need You, I need You.
Woah. Woah. My rescue, my rescue.
And I need you right now, here in this moment,
I'm losing ground,
Can't keep going,
I'm calling out,
For You to rescue me.
Don't want to drown right now, here in this ocean,
I'm so far down,
Can't keep moving.
This time around,
I'm keeping my eyes on You, You, You.

You are the rescue.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 71:1-3: “David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.”

Corrie Ten Boom said: "When we are powerless to do anything, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus.” This song has really been resonating with me as I realize that Jesus commands us to trust God completely no matter our circumstances or personal distractions or concerns. The song includes some great challenges: “Don't want to drown right now, here in this ocean, I'm so far down, Can't keep moving. This time around, I'm keeping my eyes on you.” 

We can’t know everything and we are not in control, but trusting God gives us assurance that we don’t have to be afraid. God will be there to pick us up when we fall. The challenge for me when I listen to this song is pick an area of my life that I’ve been trying to control and instead step out and put all of my hope and trust in God. We can all call out to God and know that “You are the rescued.” Amen to that!

(You can watch the music video here.)