Bringing Heaven To Earth Through Intimate Worship

Elevation Worship Delivers Intense Moments

 In The Presence Of The King

  Elevation Church, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina began it's journey in 2006 with a vision to see people brought to new life in Christ.  Led by Pastor Steven Furtick they have passionately launched multiple locations over the past ten years and continue to reach large masses of people locally and beyond. 

     Out of this movement for God to be glorified, members of their worship team formed Elevation recording their first worship album For The Honor in 2011.  In the last five years they have released four more albums including their latest Here As In Heaven on February 5, 2016.  Recorded live July, 2015 at a packed out Time Warner Cable Arena in their own praising grounds this is one album you don't want to miss. 

"The atmosphere changes when we encounter God. And He has made His presence available to us, His church, in every moment and every situation; here as in heaven. These songs inspire us to worship with a new sense of expectation and purpose, and to let our lives be the evidence of His presence on earth."

     I was fortunate to have partaken in the live worship experience that evening in July, so needless to say I was highly anticipating the finished project showing up in my mailbox.  The members that make up this worship team all take part at one of the local campuses.  After speaking with a young lady sitting next to me that evening, she told me that not only was it a live recording experience but it's a celebration of the body of believers that have grown from the vision Steven had in his heart ten years ago. 

     Pastor Furtick who has yet to reach the age of forty has accomplished so much for the Kingdom of God already that it simply blows my mind. 


Pastor with wife Holly and children Elijah, Graham and Abbey

With a Master of Divinity from SBTS this husband and Father of three has launched a total of ten campuses.  He has been a guest speaker at several conferences including the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit and is a nationally acclaimed New York Times Best Seller.

     Each album that has been produced by the worship team, has been highly influenced by the messages that he shares to his congregations.  The first album I personally heard was their previous live recording from 2014, Wake Up The Wonder . Receiving a generalized five star rating across the board on reviews is no surprise. For me personally, it was one of the best worship albums I had heard in a long time, which led me to attend the creation of Here As In Heaven last year.

Elevation Worship Leaders

     With an expectant audience full of gratitude, the atmosphere was already set for the worship team to engage in a genuine intimate encounter with the Lord for all who were present.  Each song on the album also has Pastor Steven's hand in the creation along with other leaders of the team who you will also hear leading the beautiful masterpieces.  One of the things that you can tell about Elevation is that they are in unity with each other.  They prove that it doesn't matter if it's just them present in the moment like in the video they made of Resurrecting, or among thousands of believers with a huge sound system and extraordinary light show.  They will enter into His presence regardless and sing of His love and goodness.   

     The title track, Here As In Heaven sets the mood for the album as a corporate Psalm asking God to pour out His spirit in the atmosphere of worship.  "Spirit of God fall fresh on us, we need your presence.  Your Kingdom come, your will be done here as in Heaven."

     Grace Like A Wave, creates a joyous celebration of the healing that we find in the springs of water that crashes over us through His miraculous love. "Salvation in the water, with a love that flows so deep.  Wash over me." This song could easily be incorporated into a worship team's set especially during a baptismal service.  

     Scripture says that no weapon formed against us will prosper and that Christ is our strong tower. Call Upon The Lord is a fervent stand on the promises of God.  "Jesus name will break every stronghold, freedom is ours. When we call His name, Jesus name above every other.  All hail the power of Jesus Name."  Vocals are spot on and it creates a definitive melody for any church body to engage in unified spiritual warfare.

     One of the most passionately reflective moments on the album is created by worship Pastor Chris Brown. O Come To The Altar makes me cry every time I hear it, not because I haven't been there. It is because it tells the story about how God created that opportunity for all and what we can leave there and walk away with. A great close to a service being led by the spirit, this song could create many life changing moments for people without a doubt. (Slight hint to Pastor's and worship leaders.) I remember at the live recording it was one of the most powerful songs with tears flowing, arms raised and voices singing,  "O come to the altar, the Father's arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ."

     It would be difficult for anyone who loves worship music to pick a favorite song off of this album, because in it's entirety it is an experience that flows together from start to finish.  However, Resurrecting led by worship Pastor Mack Brock has become one of my favorite songs off of any album ever, period!  During the live recording I'm pretty sure I was sobbing out of reverence for Christ and what He sacrificed to raise us from spiritual death. Below is the video from the the arena, and I know it will bless you just as much as it blessed everyone else. 

     Matthews Ntele spins the momentum taking you from thankful tears to celebratory dancing in Shine A Light. "Nothing can stand against us.  Our praise will break the darkness.  We declare your Kingdom's here, because our God is for us." Encouraging all of us to be the light that shines out into the world to illuminate His truth. 

      The combination of worship leaders and singers that are incorporated into this team could not have been matched any better. They created a fireside acoustic version of the eighth track Yahweh, which describes the Holiness of His name and the wonders and mysteries He bestows upon those who love Him. 

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     I Can't Believe reflects in the hearts of believers who are astounded by what Christ did for us. "I can't believe the price you paid for me.  What you did not owe so that I could know you." Chris Brown delivers a beautiful interpretation of a question many struggle to understand at times becoming overwhelmingly humbled by the answer. 

     One of the things we learn as we grow in our relationship with Christ is that we can only be truly satisfied when we place Him above all else.  First And Only is a fervent reminder from the heart of one who is asking God to bring them back to that intimate place.  Hold On To Me is an angelic profession of the faithfulness we find in Christ who gives us strength while we are in His arms. 

     Chris Brown had thousands of people on their feet leading Praise Goes On.  A truly animated declaration of the inability to contain the joy that comes forth as we lift the name of Jesus. 

     The last song on the album For A Moment is a reminder that no matter what we might face Jesus sustains us and we will never be alone. "For we have this hope as an anchor for our soul.  You are with us, we will never be alone." The way this song builds into an anthem provides a powerful outcry from a body of believers that are in a world full of people that do not yet know Him. Sometimes when we are in a moment of worship we want to stay there, but God wants us to take that moment and run with it and share what we have with others. 
     
     The last track I want to talk about is Evidence.  Pastor Furtick delivers an assiduous word before the worship team sings a stirring chorus making it evident this body has a fire inside them that burns bright for all to see.  Here As In Heaven speaks for itself, drawing the spirit of God into the atmosphere of those who allow themselves to soak in a Holy visitation.  Below you will see a glimpse into the reason why this church has expanded to ten campuses and why people desire to be a part of worship with them. 

     I would highly recommend this album to anyone who loves the spirit of true worship.  Be sure to catch them with some other amazing worship teams on the OutCry Tour.  You may also be interested in ordering Pastor Furtick's upcoming release (UN)-qualified that you can learn more about here.

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"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Revelation 12:11