Worship to God: November 2011

Worship leader Kristian Stanfill is emerging as one of this generation's most compelling singer/songwriters. A writer of rare insight and vulnerability, he has the unique ability to build bridges over boundary lines that separate the hurting from the Healer. Consequently, the songs on ATTENTION, his sixstepsrecords debut, create an atmosphere of worshipful unity in this too often fragmented world.

"A great worship leader must first be a great follower," Kristian asserts. "In order to lead people in worship you must first know how to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit. That is something I've been learning over the past few years, just by observing how people respond to what God is doing at any given moment."And as a worship leader at Alpharetta, Georgia's North Point Community Church, Kristian knows first hand the ability of worship to usher in God's redemptive power.

"I've had the opportunity to lead worship at North Point for more than seven years," Kristian says. "There are some amazing worship leaders there, and just to have the opportunity to observe the way they lead people into the presence of God has been like attending seminary. I started in the High School department and gradually kept growing, observing and learning how to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit. I've been leading worship in the main church for four or five years now. It has been an incredible place for me to learn how to be in front of people and how to lead them in worship."

Kristian's fearless insight and ear for authenticity infuse his songs with a visceral resonance that connects with listeners on multiple levels. That authenticity compelled Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion Movement, to invite Kristian to lead worship for a community group at Passion '05 in Nashville. It was an opportunity Kristian felt he had been preparing for his entire life.

"Before I was ever involved with Passion or sixstepsrecords, I was a college student attending Passion events," Kristian recalls. "I loved Louie and his teaching, and I loved Chris Tomlin and his songs. I was a part of that generation. When I was in high school I had a mentor who asked me, 'If you could do anything, what would it be?' Without hesitation I said, 'I would want to lead worship at Passion events.' When Louie invited me to come to Nashville and be one of the worship leaders at Passion '05, I happily agreed. It is amazing to think that when I was 16 years old all of this was just a dream."

Kristian continued his relationship with Passion, leading worship at Passion '06, Passion Regionals USA in 2008, and on last year's first-ever Passion World Tour. His worship songs have appeared on numerous Passion CDs including Passion: Everything Glorious CD and DVD (2006), The Best of Passion (So Far) (2007), and Passion: God of This City (2008). When he signed with sixstepsrecords for his debut project, ATTENTION, Kristian became the label's first new artist since it's inception in 2000.

Joining the label home of well-known worship artists Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Charlie Hall, and Matt Redman is heady stuff, but rather than fostering pride it merely served to reinforce Kristian's conviction that worship of a holy God is serious business.

"When you deal with the sacred, as intimate and corporate as worship is, there has to be some fear involved," Kristian confesses. "You have to approach it with a good sense of awe, and wonder. As a worship leader you are carrying a message that is amazing, awe-inspiring, life-changing, and transformative. It's a big message and you want to do it right."

To produce an album that captured Kristian's unique approach to worship, the label enlisted noted producer Matt Goldman (Underoath, Copeland). Marked by the same multi-layered, no-boundaries song crafting that make Kristian's live performances unforgettable, ATTENTION offers a stunning, eleven-song collection of fist pumping rock worship anthems, shimmering pop ballads, and reverential hymns.

Their collaboration resulted in songs such as the thumping, militant call to worship, "Kingdom," and the pop-flavored, energetic song, "Faithful." Nontraditional worship aria "Wake Up" combines Kristian's compelling storytelling ability with his signature pop sensibilities. Cuts like "Go" and "Lead Us On" are joyous, encouraging exhortations, while the hymns "Glowing" and "Beautiful Jesus" are presented with awe and reverence.

As fresh as his music is, it's the lyrical depth of Kristian's songs, delivered with heartfelt conviction, that captures the listener's heart. And it's his ability to connect with his audience, to lead them to worship God with reverence and authenticity that evokes respect from peers and fans alike.

"There is a growing obsession in our country with pop culture, Hollywood, fashion, and body image that are set by the world," Kristian declares. "I wanted to write songs that would take people's ATTENTION off of the stuff of this world and point them back to the cross. I want to inspire wonder and awe again in people's hearts when they think about the cross. That message is eternal. That message is life changing. That message is the heart of this CD."

Delirious? History

10:14 AM
By Erka
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9:55 AM
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Joeleth Timotheous Houston

3:07 AM
By Erka
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Scott Brenner

4:49 AM
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Scott Brenner

4:47 AM
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Michael Whitaker Smith

9:05 AM
By Erka
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Michael Whitaker Smith was born October 7, 1957 to Paul and Barbara Smith in Kenova, West Virginia. A sister named Kim would follow. Michael was a typical boy – active in baseball, his family’s church activities, and playing piano. But in not-so-typical fashion, he wrote his first song at age five. At the age of ten, he made a decision to give his life to Christ. He dreamed of playing professional baseball.

Michael attended college at Marshall University in West Virginia but after one semester dropped out to move to Nashville and pursue a career in music. (side note trivia: In 1992 Michael received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia.)

The years 1979-1981 are best written by Michael himself in his book It’s Time To Be Bold. From chapter 1, we read:

While playing keyboards for the group Higher Ground, I signed my first songwriting contract with Paragon/Benson Publishing Company. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I was knocking down $200 a week to do something that I loved. Writing songs for a living meant that I didn’t have to wait tables anymore, or work at Coca-Cola, or plant shrubs with a landscaping company.
I thought my life had peaked and God didn’t have to do anything else for me. I wasn’t looking for a record deal, a higher salary, or even a girlfriend – and especially not a wife. Writing music, I was as content as I’d ever been, and I labored at it sixteen hours a day. Then one afternoon while I was working in my office, Deborah Kay Davis walked by.
I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. When she passed by, it was all over for me. I was blown away. Totally head over heels in love. I frantically picked up the phone and called my mother in West Virginia.
"Mom, I can’t believe it. You’re not going to believe this, Mom. I just saw the girl I’m going to marry.
"What’s her name?"
"I don’t know, Mom. I haven’t met her yet. But I gotta go. I’ll find out and call you back."
My poor mother! She must have thought I’d lost my mind. But I’d never been so clearheaded in my life.
I left my office and went searching for this girl in the warehouse. Sherlock Holmes couldn’t have done a better job of tracking her down, and eventually I found myself standing outside the ladies’ restroom, waiting for her to emerge. She walked out. I introduced myself. We were engaged three and a half weeks later – and married four months after that!

In 1982, Michael was asked to play keyboards in a band that was backing up young artist Amy Grant. He also continued to write songs for himself.

The story goes that Amy’s managers, Mike Blanton and Dan Harrell could not find a Christian record label that would sign Michael or a young New Yorker named Kathy Troccoli. Believing so much in these two young talents, they started Reunion Records.

Michael made his very first record in 1983 and it was called “Michael W. Smith Project.” Michael wrote all the music and wife Debbie wrote the lyrics. The now famous song “Friends” debuted on this album. Michael continued to tour with Amy, now as her opening act.