Echoing Through The Land

     After much anticipation from fellow worshipers and fans, Jesus Culture released their latest live worship album on January 15,2016.  For those who may not be familiar with this group of gifted and talented musicians, they are comprised of at least 12 singer/songwriters and multiple anointed musicians who are well respected in the Christian music community.  

Banning Liebscher

     The movement of Jesus Culture was birthed out of a youth group in 1999 at Bethel church in Redding, California. Pastor Banning Liebscher said,"Yes, Lord" and stepped out in faith to call the generations rising up together for one purpose. Since that day the revolution for true worship in Christ has spread and continues to echo across the Nations. A fervent passion breaking all age barriers, awakening those who desire to worship and serve the one and only King of Kings. 

     Since their first recording in 2005, Jesus Culture has sold over one million albums and released almost 30 projects.  Whether they are performing as a group or sharing their gifts on solo creations, each member shares the same desire.  A compelling call that burns through their spirits for everyone to have an encounter with the love of God, through equipping them with teaching and worship.

     In 2015 after ministering out of Bethel church for eighteen years, Jesus Culture answered a call to open another campus in Sacramento, California.  Their latest live recording, Let It Echo was the first created among the new congregation.  For those who plan to attend their annual conference January 23-24  you will get to experience these newly recorded songs live. 

     Mirroring the essence behind Let It Echo, they will join many other gifted musicians and artists on The Outcry Tour.  Set to take place this year starting in April, it will usher in the Reset movement of 2016.

     Kim Walker Smith delivers an upbeat explanation of what the Reset movement is all about on the first track, Never Gonna Stop Singing.  How can we hold this praise inside after He crossed the divide to make us alive in Him?  "Every Tribe, every tongue, every heart will sing.  Every knee will bow to the risen King. Lift Him up, never gonna stop singing." 

Chris Quilala

     One of my favorite songs is a reminder of how God chases us down and calls us out wherever we are. Chris Quilala delivers Fierce with an unwavering fervency. "Like a tidal wave, crashing over me; rushing in to meet me here, your love is fierce.  Like a hurricane, that I can't escape, tearing through the atmosphere, your love is fierce."  This song illuminates the desperate measures God uses to pursue us to draw nearer to Him still.  

     No matter what is going on around us scripture calls us to rejoice over every circumstance knowing He has overcome all obstacles including death, and that we are alive in Him. Kim leads in Alive In You, which reminds us of that encouragement only found in trusting His hand upon our lives. "You're God, You're the Great I Am, breath of life I breathe you in.  Even in the fire I'm alive in you.  You are strong in my brokenness, sovereign over every step."

     In The River, (video below) is an upbeat addition also led by Kim.  A joyful celebration of how we find new life in the river of the freedom we can only find in relationship with Christ. 

     The Title track, Let It Echo is full of the cry of their hearts from the beginning of their ministry to this day. Asking God to pour out His spirit across the land as we shout His praises, and to have His way in our lives throughout the Earth.  "Let the windows of the Heavens open wide let it rain." 

     Bryan Torwalt passionately conveys how mighty and faithful God is with captivating vocals on God With Us. "You are healer of the sick and broken, you are comfort for every heart that mourns.  Our King and our Savior forever, for eternity we will sing of all you've done."
      
     There is a moment on this album when an anthem of perseverance is born through Miracles. Chris Quilala shares of the unexpected loss of their newborn son, Jethro Dylan in 2014. He and his wife had a fire to continue to make a proclamation of faith even through tragedy. This song was written through that journey of their healing, that no matter what you are going through, He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.  "I believe in you, you're the God of miracles. The God who was and is to come, the power of the risen one."

Bryan and Katie Torwalt

     Set Me Ablaze, led by Katie Torwalt delivers an honest, beautiful cry to the Lord to keep our heart on fire for Him. "Come and breathe on the coals of my heart, let your fire start. Your fire, burn brighter, deep inside my heart. Consume me, reach through me, I want all that you are."

     In Your Presence, led by Kim is a declaration of the omnipresent Glory of God. His encompassing majesty in every aspect of life and what we see around us. This song resonates again the call this team has on their lives. "Your Son glorified, Our arms open wide, singing worthy, you are worthy"

     In order to give my readers an idea of my personal taste, I try to narrow down a favorite song each time I write a review. Sometimes that is a difficult task on many albums I receive because they are so full of truly wonderful creations. Though that is the case with Let It Echo, hands down without a doubt Chris McClarney brought me to tears with Everything And Nothing Less, (video below). It's no secret lyrics are delivered passionately across the board by Jesus Culture, but this song had a significance to it that requires special attention. Simply magnificent in every aspect. 

     

     Chris Quilala awakens our spiritual senses to the greatness of His Holiness once again in I Stand In Awe. "I stand in awe of you, in awe of you. Amazed beyond what I can say. I stand in awe of You, in awe of you. My heart, abandoned once again. I stand in awe of you. So let your will resound in every heart that's bowed with every breath in every phrase. It's in the angels' sound the universe is loud full of your glory and your grace."  

Derek Johnson

     Power Of The Cross, brought to this buffet of worship by Derek Johnson, closes out this powerful collection of congregation ready anthems of faith.  It's like the closing paragraph to a beautifully written article of the Glory and the power found in Christ.  The great commission, let the redeemed proclaim.  "You rose in victory, to let the whole world see.  Love has made a way.  Hope is never lost, there's power in the cross."

     One thing is for certain, their hearts are echoing through the land as the body of Christ is beckoned from all corners of the Earth to rise up and proclaim His name for all to hear. This album will allow you to enter into His presence in private and contribute to corporate praise with a passion and intimacy with Christ.  I will not give this a star rating, because the heart of Christ resonates through every song.  Instead I will give this a spiritual rating of, "True Worship".    

     “This last year was a tough season for us as a community, and the songs we wrote for this album reflect the breakthrough, the victory, and the growth we have experienced through that. I believe there is a new maturity in our writing that comes from a place of deep intimacy with Jesus. My hope is that as people listen to the album they will encounter Jesus and be filled with hope, life, joy, and fresh passion for His presence. I pray that the message of life and Jesus that fills these songs would echo within the hearts of the listeners and across the nations.” 
- Kim Walker Smith (President of Jesus Culture Music and Jesus Culture Publishing)

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