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MercyMe’s Bart Millard Reveals The Heart Behind The Band

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Leader of the Christian band MercyMe Bart Millard reveals why he sings about Jesus, and it’s a powerful and profound reason rooted in the power of the Gospel.

MercyMe’s Bart Millard

MercyMe’s music has dramatically impacted millions. It is evident with the awards and nominations the Christian band received in the past years. According to Wikipedia, “the group has also had 13 consecutive top 5 singles on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, with 7 of them reaching No. 1.” They also “won 8 Dove Awards and has had many Grammy Award nominations.”

Photo Courtesy | Instagram – bartmillard

Now, with the success of MercyMe in the Christian music industry, lead singer Bart Millard opens up the story behind their music. The band apparently has “many influences,” but every member has to agree, or else, “it doesn’t go in the album.”

Keep Singing About Jesus

Bart highlighted that everyone needs to hear about Jesus because He is the hope of the world. Hence, we need to reach out to people, even through music. He urges “to keep singing about Jesus.”

Photo Courtesy | Instagram – bartmillard

“..whether it’s contemporary Christian or worship or whatever,” he explained. “You might be able to make the case of, well, ‘We may not need the [CCM] genre.’ But what we do need is to just keep talking about Jesus – providing hope to people.”

And this is what drives the Christian band in the creation of their music. It is their mission to give hope to people by singing about Jesus.

I Can Only Imagine

Bart Millard, Robby Shaffer, Nathan Cochran, Michael Scheuchzer, and Barry Graul formed the group in 1994. They then released their first studio album in 2001. Soon, the group rose to fame because of their single “I Can Only Imagine.” Which became the inspiration behind the movie “I Can Only Imagine” years later.

Further, Bart explained his allegiance to Christian music.

“I can’t imagine just singing in a bar or just singing about pop stuff that, to me, wouldn’t have as much meaning,” he said. “The Gospel changed my life years ago. Somebody asked, ‘Why did you sign up for Christian music?’ I was like, I don’t think we signed up for it. It’s just kind of who we are.”

He also admitted how they tried not to include Jesus in their song, but they just couldn’t.

“We’ve tried to not sing about Jesus,” he recalled. “But it’s gonna show up by the second verse or bridge.”

Reference | Christian Headlines

ALSO READ: MERCY ME’S BART MILLARD SHARES THE HEART OF NEW ALBUM ‘ALWAYS ONLY JESUS’
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Mercy Me’s Bart Millard Shares The Heart Of New Album ‘Always Only Jesus’

by Rhoda Gayle
written by Rhoda Gayle

Mercy Me’s lead singer Bart Millard shared the heart of the Christian band’s new album, “Always Only Jesus.” 

“Always Only Jesus”

“I dunno if I’ve ever seen the body of Christ more divided than it has been lately,” he said.

Their new music came from how divided the Body of Christ has been lately, especially during the pandemic. That is the issue Mercy Me’s new album “Always Only Jesus” wants to help heal. The band’s 11th studio album was released last Friday. Lead singer Bart Millard shared the heart of their new music in an interview with CBN News.

“While making this record, all the songs were deliberately … towards Jesus and about Jesus,” he said. “I was like, ‘Man, this is a perfect time because if we’ve ever needed a common denominator to agree on, it has to be Jesus.’”

Photo Courtesy: Instagram | bartmillard

Bart Millard

The album centers only on one message and it is about the Church’s unity.

“If there was ever a time to try to unify the body, for us to kind of do our part, it’s to sing about Jesus,” Bart said. “And so, unintentionally, we looked at this album from beginning to end and was … all pointing one direction. There’s no way to misunderstand what this is about.”

It has also been the band’s most important record so far because of its message and goal. Bart hopes to inspire people to love one another better through their music.

“I believe with all of my heart that … we’re on the outskirts of something amazing,” he said. “I really believe that because the pendulum always swings.”

When talking about Mercy Me’s three decades of success, he talked about the band’s longevity with no signs of slowing down.

“We’re trying to avoid hard labor at all costs, is what we always say. These guys are genuinely my best friends,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ll ever quit.”

Read also: KATHIE LEE GIFFORD SAYS THAT MARRIAGES ARE UNDER ATTACK

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Reference: Faithwire

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Articles

White House Hosts It’s First Faith Briefing For Christian Radio Broadcasters

by Jared Laskey
written by Jared Laskey

Prayer and worship continue to echo through the corridors of the US White House these days. Officials hosting the first ever “Faith Briefing” with Christian radio broadcasters remarked there is positive change when Christian groups come to the White House.

Amanda Robbins and Jennifer Korn organized this special event saying, “The atmosphere changes.” They’re attributing this to the prayers of those present for the “Faith Briefings.” Faith Briefings are now an important part of the Trump administration.

Michael Tait of the Newsboys began this week’s Faith Briefing with Christian radio broadcasters singing some timeless hymns:

Christian radio still reaching millions

The Christian radio broadcasters represented a listening audience of more than 18 million people. They were briefed in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The speakers presented various faith topics and concerns, discussing ways the Trump administration is addressing them.

The radio broadcasters heard from the US Vice President Mike Pence and the President’s Senior Advisor, Jared Kushner. They were briefed by James ‘Kevin’ Smith of the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives; Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt; and State Department Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, amongst others.

America has choices to make but God must be God of our choices

Singer,  JJ Weeks reflected on when he was at the “Faith Briefing for CCM Artists.” That event was organized by Pastor Paula White, President Trump’s chair for his Faith Advisory Board. JJ said that as they were worshipping on November 13, 2018, God began giving him a song. Saying, “It’s a song about the decisions America makes.”

He remarked that the very day he finished writing the song, the state of New York passed the “Death Star Legislation,” tragically allowing babies to be aborted up to the day of birth. He then sang, “Choices,” birthing it in the same room it was conceived in.

As JJ was singing I was moved by the Holy Spirit, shaking and shedding soft tears in worship. Afterwards, I looked at my wife saying, “This is a powerful moment.” Watch:


US Vice President Mike Pence asked Bart Millard of Mercy Me to pray for him. Bart shared how he was caught up in the surreal moment saying, “The Vice President is introducing me?”

Please continue to pray for the leaders of our nation. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Bart Millard of Mercy Me about to pray for US Vice President, Mike Pence

Jared Kushner addresses the Faith Briefing For Christian Radio Broadcasters

Christian radio broadcasters at the Faith Briefing in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building

 

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Faith Films in Hollywood
News

Faith Films Surprise Hollywood… Again

by Richard Smith
written by Richard Smith

We have seen over the past month articles suggesting that Hollywood is once again surprised by the success of Christian films. But is it actually a surprise?

Last month, the film I Can Only Imagine was released in the USA, the film is based on the true story behind probably the most popular Christian song of all time.

“I Can Only Imagine is an extremely powerful movie of forgiveness. The story behind the song really brings across the real life changing message of forgiveness, hope and redemption that only Jesus can offer. This powerful testimony of the song that brought hope to millions, will bring again hope to millions in this movie. This is a must see film.” –  The Christian Film Review

I Can Only Imagine brings to life the true story behind the song of ultimate hope. A transformed relationship with his troubled father, inspired Bart Millard, the lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe, to write what is now the most-played radio single in Christian music history. A gripping reminder of the power of forgiveness,  I Can Only Imagine beautifully illustrates that no one is ever too far from God’s love — or from an eternal home in Heaven.


Nathan Cochran and Barry Graul of MercyMe, actor Charles Esten, Robby Shaffer, Bart Millard, and Michael John Scheuchzer of MercyMe attend the ‘I Can Only Imagine’ premiere in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

God is using Faith films

3 reasons why the success of I Can Only Imagine wasn’t all that much of a surprise though:

  1. The film, directed by the Erwin Brothers, is exceptionally well made and acted, but what it comes down to is the story. The story is true and it is powerful, people are moved and can relate to a true story
  2. It is based on the best selling Christian song of all time, people who were moved by the song, that have experience the song, will want to see the film
  3. God is using this film to change lives

Hollywood seemed to have forgotten the Kendrick Brothers film War Room which took the number one spot at the US box office when it was released.

Though it is always great to see Hollywood surprised all over again by how God uses films to reach people!

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I Can Only Imagine
Articles

I Can Only Imagine – From Pain to Inspiration

by GOD TV
written by GOD TV

“Let your pain become your inspiration!” This was the advice given to the singer/ songwriter of Mercy Me, Bart Millard. The band has just been nominated for Best Artist, Best Song and Best Album – but back then, Bart wasn’t the best of anything. In fact he will tell you he was just a loser from a broken home.

But God turned everything around, Bart’s love of music gave him hope to cling onto despite his parent’s break up and his abusive dad and he wrote a hit song, which is now a movie.  I Can Only Imagine is his story and it can be your’s too!

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, then make a point of finding a cinema where it is still showing, or get the DVD. In the trailer above Bart says: “My dad was a monster and I saw God transform him. I didn’t think God could do that, so I wrote this song for my dad. I went from seeing my father go from a monster to a man who was desperately in love with Jesus!”

Based on this incredible true-story of Bart and his relationship with his father, I Can Only Imagine is a powerful reminder of the power of God’s grace and the movie is bringing hope to many.

Don’t you just love those two words, “BUT GOD”. No matter what we are facing we can always trust God for His intervention. I can Only Imagine shows how He can turn lives around completely. Just a couple of tweets indicate a wider movie-goer reaction that underlines why the movie has become a runaway success.

  • “Ok, wiping away tears would be an understatement,” @jonathanpuddle tweets… “More like, not sure if I can breathe right now. I had no idea the story behind this song, and I am floored. GO SEE THIS MOVIE. #ICanOnlyImagine @icanonlyimaginemovie.”
  • “@Sharon_L_Stone writes: As @onlyimaginefilm ended – no one moved. Just tears and sobs. As my son and I left a lady asked ‘Do you know Jesus?’ We said ‘Sure do’. I blurted ‘Do you?’ She said ‘No, I need the @BartMillard Dad change.’ We prayed, cried, hugged and welcomed her home. This movie was just for her!”

It’s amazing to read all the positive responses from believers. There have been numerous testimonies too!  It’s no surprise then, that faith films are taking Hollywood by storm as cinema lovers opt to see Christian-themed dramas like I Can Only Imagine, rather than studio-backed movies.

I Can Only Imagine

Christian movies are beating studio-
backed productions at the box office!

I Can Only Imagine took $25m in seven days of its release and was placed in the number three spot behind Black Panther and Tomb Raider. This is amazing seeing that it is an independent biopic. The movie features Dennis Quaid as Bart’s father and J. Michael Finley as Bart. It was produced and directed by brothers Andy and Jon Erwin, whose other faith-based films include Woodlawn and October Baby.

Jon Erwin said he had been told that there “was no audience for a Christian music movie” but every Christian he knew loved the song so the brothers “just believed that there was an audience for this movie and that they would show up.” Crowds did turn up and after seeing it, 79% of people said in an audience poll that they planned to pay to see it again.

The film’s success shows Hollywood that if you invest in acting talent and production quality, faith films can compete in the box-office with those promoted by the big studios. It also shows the power of Gospel music today. It’s incredible to think that a 1999 hit song from MercyMe is now be the theme song of a blockbuster movie and continues to played in both Christian and secular charts.

Other recent successful Christian films include Heaven Is For Real, a story about a boy who briefly dies, which took $91 million; God’s Not Dead, about a college student whose faith is challenged, which earned $66 million and Fireproof about a fireman addicted to porn that grossed $33 million from a $£500,000 budget.

Each of these films help take the Gospel message further. They let the world know that we serve a Good God who can transform lives, bringing forgiveness, restoration and healing where it is needed. Furthermore,  many faith films today offer ministry-resources that make sharing the Gospel easier, in a contemporary way.  Click to access I Can Only Imagine Resources. They include: Bible studies, a small group guide, student devotions and a children’s picture book.

As believers let’s support Christian media outreaches in every way, including film. Let’s use these resources to share the Gospel further. And, whatever you do, don’t miss I Can Only Imagine, the movie that turns pain into inspiration!

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