Grammy Award-winning group Hillsong Worship released their latest album this month, hoping to inspire listeners to see the light of God and open their hearts to knowing Him deeper.
Hillsong Worship stems from Hillsong Church, a congregation founded by Pastor Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie in 1983. The small church eventually skyrocketed in growth, turning into an international ministry, that now has churches in twenty-one countries scattered over the world.
Not only did Hillsong Church launch a global movement, but their worship teams have equipped congregations with music for decades now. And now, thirty-years after the beginning of Hillsong Worship, the team released, “Awake” an album about shining a light on the glory of God.
In an interview with Faithwire, worship pastor Ben Fielding shared his heart for the album, the band’s desire to reflect God in everything that they do, and the future of the worship group.
Fielding, who has been with the band for fourteen years now, has written many notable songs including, ‘Mighty to Save’, ‘This I Believe’, ‘Stronger’, ‘God is Able’, and ‘Anchor.’
He explained that as thirty years has passed as a band, the church and the team have both grown, but the focus stays as clear as ever.
“That is, to write music that helps our local church and hopefully the local
Church (capital C) worship,” he explained.
Fielding shared that the title for Hillsong Worship’s newest album, “Awake,” came from the clear theme that ran throughout the album, the idea of waking up and seeing the light of God.
“From the first day we started listening to songs our team had written, it became clear this theme was running through so many of the songs: Awake My Soul, See The Light” (“I woke up to see the light”), etc,” Fielding said. “There is an awakening that takes place when we first believe when we come awake to who Jesus is, where we die with Christ that we might rise with Him also.”
“But, I also believe worship brings with it, an ongoing revelation. Our hope is that when people hear the songs of this album, it would be like lights switching on to more of who God is, His infallible character and goodness.”
“Awake” is the first studio-based record that Hillsong Worship has recorded in decades, but that doesn’t mean the spirituality was lost.
“I love that our team has managed to capture so many of the God moments and elements that we have captured in our live recordings,” Fielding pointed out.
Recently there has been a shift in culture, where Christian music has become more and more accepted in secular culture. Fielding pointed out that he believes more people are interested and open to God than we oftentimes think.
“I think people are more curious and open to God than we sometimes perceive,” Fielding pointed out. “I’m also not convinced that there is a firm delineation between sacred and secular culture. I’ve heard it said that the only thing that is secular is sin itself.”
“I think God is in the business of trying to reach people through people, through the church, but also through any means necessary. Songs of worship hopefully point people straight to God.”
He pointed out that people are attracted to authenticity, and worship is just that.
“God is compelling. I also think people are attracted to genuine and authentic music. Worship is the most natural response of someone who has encountered God.”
Hillsong Worship hopes that the album will encourage people to see “a little more of God” in their lives, and see “His infallible character and goodness.”
The album includes many great new songs, and according to Fielding his favorite changes almost daily.
“I think right now, it is ‘Come Alive,'” he shared. “I love the confession of the song and the passion in the recording. It’s also incredible live in church.”
You can listen to ‘Come Alive,’ and all the other great songs on the album on any major music streaming platforms now.
If you want to hear it in person, Hillsong Worship is setting out on tour with Casting Crowns and Elevation Worship in November. You can find out more here!