For Countryside Worship, Holy Healer is more than a collection of songs—it’s a testimony to God’s faithfulness, written in real time. Born from the life of Countryside Christian Church and shaped by seasons of both celebration and deep uncertainty, the live-recorded EP captures the prayers, hopes, and unwavering faith of a congregation learning to trust God in every circumstance.
From a powerful NICU journey that inspired the title track to songs that have become anthems of encouragement for church members facing their own battles, Holy Healer reflects a community that seeks God’s presence and believes in miracles. We recently spoke with Countryside Worship about the stories behind the project, the importance of faith-filled songwriting, and their hope that these songs will inspire listeners to trust God more deeply.
Countryside Worship describes Holy Healer as a project born from the life and testimony of the local church. How did the experiences within your church community shape the songs on this EP?
It’s crazy to think these songs were written months before we really needed to sing them. God knew exactly which words needed to be on the page before they became a lifeline for faith and for believing God for miracles. Essentially, these songs were written with beautiful meaning before we saw the storms, but walking through them really brought them to life and made them monuments to God's faithfulness. We’re so thankful.
The title track tells a powerful story of healing, prayer, and a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) journey experienced by your worship team. How did walking through that season personally affect your approach to worship and songwriting?
Going through this season was heart-wrenching. Getting up every day and believing that God was going to do a miracle was hard, to say the least. But it taught me something I hadn’t yet learned at that level: that refusing to give up and trusting in God’s promises and power is where His grace is truly sufficient. It’s changed the way I approach worship and writing because I’ve seen God’s power up close.
Rather than creating a polished studio project, you chose to record Holy Healer live. Why was it important for these songs to capture the atmosphere and authenticity of a real worship gathering?
One of the superficial reasons we chose a live project is that I’m a worship leader who loves worship music. It truly isn’t just my job or something I listen to for that reason alone. Since I love it, I know I’m reaching for the live version of a song whenever I have the choice. There’s just something about the way it sounds and the energy of the room.
“Praise Him” opens the EP with a celebratory and energetic sound, while “Leaning” feels much more reflective and vulnerable. How do those songs together represent different seasons of faith and worship?
I think it speaks to the need for songs and language from every angle we approach God. “Praise Him” is a typical church opener on the surface, but I’ve come to understand that these songs are needed even when people are in the valley. Praise is easy when life’s good, but it takes more intentionality and faith when it isn’t. “Leaning” speaks to those who have seen God’s faithfulness and trust that God will work all things together, even when our understanding has gaps. Both can mean different things in different seasons, I think.
Countryside Worship blends modern worship with lyrics designed for congregational connection. When writing songs for the church, how do you balance accessibility with personal testimony and depth?
I think most of the best songs are accessible, even non-worship or non-congregational songs. There’s always a layer of writing for your church, and you need to be sensitive to what people need to sing on a Sunday morning. But I think most of those songs end up in my car while I'm driving my kids to school on Monday, too. I’m not as experienced a writer as a lot of others in this world, but I think it’s a balance you strike when you discover how God is leading you and you put in the reps for writing, even when the songs stay on the hard drive.
Pastor Alana Williams shared that these songs became prayers that your church sang during difficult moments. Have you already heard stories from listeners or church members about how the EP has ministered to them?
Absolutely. So many have come to me in the lobby on Sunday and said the songs are carrying them through a difficult season, or that they’re just enjoying listening in the gym, in the car, or wherever they are. It's always crazy to remember that the music you release becomes part of people’s daily lives, and I’m grateful that God would use it that way.
As the worship ministry of Countryside Christian Church, what do you hope people ultimately experience — not just musically, but spiritually — when they listen to Holy Healer?
One of the main pillars of the songs we sing on Sunday morning is their faith-building nature. Through every writing session, the north star we kept following was “will it build faith?” So that’s our prayer: that people will hear these songs and feel faith rise.
How can we be praying for you?
We’d love prayer that God would pour out His Spirit even more on us, our church, and our community. Music is so amazing to play and write, but it means nothing if He doesn’t fill it.
