Dove Awards-winning singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and storyteller Fernando Ortega has been weaving his own story alongside the great hymns of old for three decades.

Known for reimagining timeless works in the Church’s extensive history for an entirely new generation, Ortega’s first collection in four years, For All The Saints, is a five-track EP offering newly minted songs for the Church to sing.

Co-produced by Ortega and Matthew Tobias and engineered and mixed by Russ Long (Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Keith & Kristyn Getty), For All The Saints draws from a deep well of rich, time-honored theology accented by a colorful sonic palette.

“When we’re singing hymns, we’re singing words that were likely written by a very theologically minded person with a poetic sense,” muses Ortega. “There are so many hymns that are not really sung anymore; they’re, by and large, just not known. So I like bringing those hymns back. These hymns also bind us together in a transcendent way with generations of Christians who have gone before us.”

The EP opens with a bright, fresh rendition of the traditional “Gloria” that gives way to “Jesus, Bread of Life,” a soundtrack for holy moments of communion, followed by the joyful “Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts” and “How Can I Keep From Singing,” a centuries-old Shaker hymn Pete Seeger made famous in the ’60s. The project’s title cut serves as the closing benediction. Staying true to the original lyrics, Ortega wrote his own melody.

Fernando Ortega Releases ‘For All The Saints’ EP

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“I remember hearing that song for the first time in an Anglican church in Boston where Elisabeth Elliot used to attend. The text was so moving,” he reflects. “Later on, I heard N.T. Wright talking about hymns, and he cited ‘For All The Saints’ as one of the most complete theological thoughts. So much of the Christian theology is contained in this hymn. I’ve always wanted to record it.”

A resource for congregations looking for an organic way to reintroduce hymns into their contemporary worship services, For All The Saints gives believers of various denominations new choruses to sing. It also continues Ortega’s beloved tradition of preserving hymns for a new generation.

“The main thing I’d love to see happen with these songs is that they would make it, somehow, into the canon of songs the Church sings,” Ortega says. “I hope these songs will help people — bring them hope, lift them up, bring them joy, and bring Christians together.”

Odunayo Ojo-Onasanya returns with the second part of her special three-part album series titled “JESUS“, dedicated to the Holy Trinity – God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Following the release of her first album, “GOD“, two years ago, Odunayo’s new album is here to lift the name of our Savior high.

This 8-track album is a beautiful blend of English lyrics with African-inspired sounds that resonate deeply, creating a soothing, spirit-lifting atmosphere. Each song on the album reflects the Lordship, kingship, power, and love of Jesus.

Odunayo, known for her passion for God and her excellent spirit, has poured her heart and soul into this project.

She describes this album as a result of a deep connection with God – listening, learning, and following His vision. Every song is a gift from God, carefully curated to bless every listener and draw them closer to Jesus.

Produced by TEA Production, JESUS album is also available on all major music platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, Boomplay, YouTube, Deezer, and Amazon Music.

JESUS – Odunayo Ojo-Onasanya

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Odunayo Ojo-Onasanya is a dynamic music minister, songwriter, praise leader, and member of the popular gospel music group, Midnight Crew, best known for their hit song IGWE.

She is not only a talented artist but also a passionate woman of God, a lover of justice, and an eloquent conversationalist with an eye for detail. She’s married and blessed with children, and her ministry continues to touch lives across the globe.

GRAMMY-Award and Dove-Award-winning songwriters Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan have united to form the special worship collective CXMMXNS. Today, they released their debut project, CXMMXNS Chapter 1. Listen to these brand new songs, featuring Aodhan King, Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding, and songwriters Brian Johnson and Hannah Hobbs.

CXMMXNS is focused on contributing to the next generation of the global church’s modern worship canon. Taking their passion for writing songs that help people worship and the church sing together, Fielding and Morgan are dedicated to showcasing fresh and familiar voices, creating a collaborative worship movement. The hope is to develop the next generation of worship leaders while championing established greats in the genre.

Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan’s CXMMXNS Releases Debut EP

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Released with Provident Label Group and Essential Worship, CXMMXNS is a new chapter for these songwriters and worship leaders. Fielding and Morgan have a remarkable catalog of worship songs that have equipped churches for years—and now for years to come with this new chapter. CXMMXNS is worship, grounded in scripture, that unites believers around our common confession—CHRIST.

ABOUT CXMMXNS: Birthed in Sydney, Australia, CXMMXNS is passionately committed to gathering worshippers worldwide and serving local churches with songs everyone can sing. Grammy-Award and Dove-Award-winning songwriters Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan (both formerly of Hillsong Worship) have united to form CXMMXNS.

From the pen of these two creative forces have come some of the most celebrated and sung worship anthems in the modern church: ‘Goodness of God,’ ‘Who You Say I Am,’ ‘What A Beautiful Name,’ ‘Cornerstone,’ and ‘Mighty To Save’ (to name a few)—sung by tens of millions of Christ-followers every week.

Gabby Barrett gives a warm welcome to the holidays with the release of her first-ever Christmas album, Carols and Candlelight, the 11-song collection includes a lovingly curated selection of cherished Christmas carols, time-honored Advent hymns, and joyous songs of celebration — all spotlighting the MULTI-PLATINUM star’s unforgettably beautiful talent.

Carols and Candlelight opens with Barrett’s poignant rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?” (written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, and produced by Ross Copperman). With its poetic contemplation of the relationship between Mary and her son, “Mary, Did You Know?” brings her distinct sensibilities to the modern Christmas classic, blending her bright and soulful vocals with a gorgeously subtle arrangement of pedal steel, piano, strings, and more.

Along with showcasing the phenomenal range and nuance of her voice, the slow-burning and richly detailed track makes for a prime introduction to the full-length project’s stellar musicianship. 

Led by Ross Copperman, the GRAMMY-nominated hitmaker produced 10 of the 11 songs (Copperman previously joined Barrett in co-producing her acclaimed sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, and also notched production credits on her PLATINUM breakout debut, Goldmine).

Gabby Barrett Delivers ‘Carols And Candlelight’ Christmas LP

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With its era-spanning mix of Christmastime favorites, Carols and Candlelight also includes standouts like “Go Tell It On The Mountain” (for KING & COUNTRY feat. Gabby Barrett) – an exultant Gospel number nominated for Christmas Recorded Song of the Year at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Elsewhere, Barrett joins forces with her husband Cade Foehner (on the sweetly playful “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) and The Piano Guys (on her moody and majestic rendition of the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”).

All throughout the album, Barrett further reveals her heartfelt connection to the spirit of the season, imbuing each track with an emotional depth that’s closely tied to her experience as a devoted Christian.

Next Wednesday (11/13), Barrett makes her long-awaited headline debut in Nashville, TN, as she hosts her GIVING FOR GOOD SHOW at the CMA Theater inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Joined by special guest Rachel Purcell, proceeds from the show will benefit MURPHSLIFE.

LIFE Worship, Releases Songs As Cultural Bridges To Build The Church, the vibrant sound of LIFE Church in Bradford, UK, releases “Stones of Remembrance – Volume 1,” the first part of two EPs. Embodied by the new song, “Look What The Lord Has Done,” this whole project is a worshipful reflection on how God has been building his church in this community.

Worship leader Philippa Hanna said, “We’ve seen growth, salvations, and lives transformed, with our focus on Jesus refined. There’s been a deep spiritual emphasis on unity within the body like never before, and this album reflects that journey and mission.” LIFE Church has become an “embassy of nations” under one roof where worship stands as a foundation for unity. As they have evolved culturally, so has their sound.

Stones of Remembrance – LIFE Worship

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This EP fuses various genres with a red thread of joyful praise running through it. “One People,” one of the new songs, incorporates the Yoruba language as a response within the chorus; a statement of cultural harmony in the presence of God. “These songs are our ‘Stones of Remembrance,’ each one a monument to God’s goodness and faithfulness,” Philippa Hanna continued.

“Our prayer is that future generations will see these songs and remember how God made a way, just as he made a way through the waters for a nation to pass.” LIFE Worship hopes these songs will serve as a cultural bridge within the UK worship scene and beyond, building God’s church that stands as one people united under him.

Today (Nov 8), Bethel Music releases “Center (Live)” led by guest artist Abbie Gamboa. The track is a sincere love song that radiates adoration for Jesus and beautifully captures the heart of placing Christ in His rightful place at the center of our lives, reminding listeners that everything we do should be for His honor and glory. This song is from the group’s upcoming project, We Must Respond, due out January 10, 2025.

WE MUST RESPOND was recorded earlier this year at the Cascade Theatre in Redding, California, and is a collection of worship songs featuring tracks led by the Bethel Music collective, with guest vocalists that include Brooke Ligertwood, Abbie Gamboa, and Aodhán King. 

Center (Live) – Bethel Music Feat. Abbie Gamboa

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The album is a heartfelt call to action from Bethel Church’s Bill Johnson, inspired by Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God,” invites believers into a holy exchange between the Spirit of God and the hearts of those who seek Him and long to know Him. There in that place of deep surrender is where genuine, true worship takes place.

Center (Live) – Bethel Music Feat. Abbie Gamboa

Says Jenn Johnson of Bethel Music, “We Must Respond…when we think about His presence, His goodness, love, mercy, salvation, the simple fact that we’re breathing, our hearts are filled with gratitude. He is our everything, and we can’t help but respond to Him and give Him our worship.”

Songs From The Soil (SFTS) unveils the last of their four-part collection of stripped-back “Live At The Garden” EPs. The new release comes from British songwriter and session guitarist, Marc James. This fourth addition features six acoustic songs that ooze with Marc’s signature alternative undertones. Originally released on YouTube, these songs bring together some of Marc’s catalog as well as others by various Integrity Music artists.

Songs From The Soil Release Last Of Four Part Collection

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The heart behind the “Live At The Garden” series carries on what Songs From The Soil was birthed to do, namely reigniting the UK Church’s songbook by creating spaces where new songs of worship might grow. The Garden is a space in the Integrity Music UK offices created to capture organic and unpolished songs and BTS showing the human element in creativity and the live worship process.

The ethos is for it to be, like a garden, a living, raw, grounding place where others are also invited. “Marc James – Live At The Garden” closes this collection of over 20 songs infused with the flavour of their local context, capturing a return to the land through melody and sung theology.

Bethel Music singer/songwriters and worship leaders Paul and Hannah McClure, announce the re-release of their acclaimed 2020 holiday album, “CHRISTMAS MORNING.” Available now on all streaming platforms, this updated edition features new live recordings that enrich the original album, providing both longtime fans and new listeners an opportunity for deeper engagement and worship.

“CHRISTMAS MORNING” invites worshippers into the heart of the season, capturing its awe and wonder. With powerful performances and heartfelt lyrics, Paul and Hannah usher in Christmas, guiding us through a journey of worship and reflection, reminding us of the joy and wonder that the season brings.

Paul & Hannah McClure Re-Release Acclaimed ‘Christmas Morning’ Album

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The 11-track collection includes original selections co-penned by Paul and Hannah, as well as a handful of beloved Christmas favorites. “Adore Him (Live at Bethel),” led by Paul, is a beautiful expression of praise and thanksgiving, encouraging listeners to focus on the worthiness of Jesus and appreciate the profound significance of His birth.

Meanwhile, Paul and Hannah breathe new life into the classic hymn, “O Holy Night (Live at Bethel),” blending traditional lyrics with a fresh worship-filled bridge, instilling hope and anticipation for the momentous occasion of our Savior’s birth.

“Every child’s excited for Christmas morning, and that’s what we get in relation to the Gospel as believers,” says Paul and Hannah. “Every day is Christmas morning living in the reality of Jesus and what He’s done for us. I think this song captures what we wanted to talk about—the Rescuer coming to save us at Christmas.”

“CHRISTMAS MORNING” TRACK LIST INCLUDES:

1.Christmas Morning

2. Heart Sings Hallelujah

3.Adore Him

4. Heaven Is Here

5. O Holy Night

6. High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You

7. Heart Sings Hallelujah / Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Live at Bethel)

8. Heaven Is Here / Joy To The World (Live at Bethel)

9. Adore Him (Live at Bethel)

10. O Holy Night (Live at Bethel)

11. High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You (Live at Bethel)

Multi-GRAMMY Award-winner and multi-platinum selling artist Zach Williams has partnered with Essential Worship to release a brand new ‘Song Sessions’ EP, featuring brand new songs as well as major worship moments. The brand new tracks “Middle Of A Miracle” and “By His Wounds,” follow new renditions of the ever-popular “Rescue Story,” “Flesh And Bone (We Remember),” and “Fear Of God”.

This EP release also follows his newest song “Friend In High Places,” which dropped October 11, and was his best-received single since 2022’s “Heart Of God”. To accompany the project, Essential Worship released live videos to accompany each track.

Williams is heading out on the road this week with two other massive names in Christian music, TobyMac and MercyMe, for an unforgettable concert tour! Tickets are available now, with some dates already sold out. Williams also just wrapped his headlining Revival Nights tour with special guests CAIN, Matt Maher, and Ben Fuller.

The tour, which traveled to 13-cities ove the past several weeks, was more than just a concert — it was a night of revival and renewal, where fans experienced the transforming power of music, worship, and community.

Zach Williams Releases ‘Song Sessions’ EP In Partnership With Essential Worship

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Earlier this year, Williams released his first book Rescue Story: Faith, Freedom, and Finding My Way Home in partnership with Zondervan Publishing. He then followed that up this Fall with A Little More Like Jesus, a fun and engaging picture book that invites children to hop on board for a ride to learn about the fruits of the spirit and discover how to be a little more like Jesus every day. Both books are available now.

Veteran country artist Richard Lynch is back, armed with fresh tales from the heartland on his newest album, Some Days Are Better Than Others, set to release November 8, 2024. Known for staying true to traditional country music, Lynch continues his legacy of storytelling with a touch of grit, humor, and nostalgia, bringing listeners along for a ride that celebrates the beauty of everyday life and the strength of human connections.

The album opens with its title track, “Some Days Are Better Than Others,” a reflective, warm-hearted tribute to life’s simple joys, inspired by a chance encounter with two elderly friends at a local donut shop. With lines like, “They’d say every day is a good day, but some days are better than others,” Lynch paints an honest picture of aging with grace and gratitude—a sentiment echoed throughout the album’s thirteen songs.

The track perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this record: everyday heroes, treasured memories, and the enduring bonds of family and friendship.

In “All Good Things Come Back Around,” Lynch reminisces about his roots, guitar lessons with his father, and the timeless charm of classic country. This song pays homage to the genre’s legends, blending warm nostalgia with a message of faith that Lynch’s brand of country is here to stay.

Meanwhile, the poignant “Never Made Colorado,” co-written with VL Haywood, explores the end of a relationship with raw vulnerability. The song’s melancholic lyrics, *”No, we never made Colorado, but we sure crossed that great divide,”* underscore Lynch’s skill at capturing heartbreak in its most relatable form.

Another standout is “Jesus and Bocephus,” a deeply personal song dedicated to Lynch’s late bandmate Tim Bennington. It’s a gentle, heartfelt tribute that blends humor with reverence, highlighting Lynch’s knack for writing songs that evoke laughter, tears, and memories all at once. Then there’s “Right Where He Ought to Be,” inspired by the extraordinary life of stuntman Kim Kahana.

Lynch turns a biographical tale into a reflective ballad on fate, resilience, and purpose—a theme that runs like a lifeline through much of his work.

Yet, Lynch doesn’t just tug at heartstrings; he knows how to have a little fun too. Tracks like “That Gal of Mine Frying Bacon” and “Ruckus Rufus” add a touch of lightheartedness and humor to the album. “That Gal of Mine Frying Bacon” is a playful ode to domestic life, complete with flirtatious lyrics and an irresistible hook that will leave you smiling.

In “Ruckus Rufus,” Lynch spins the story of a larger-than-life friend who lives to the beat of his own drum. It’s these characters, these folks from Lynch’s life and imagination, that fill the album with authenticity and charm.

Beyond the music, Some Days Are Better Than Others is a testament to Lynch’s dedication to his roots, his fans, and his craft. Released through his own Fence Row Records and distributed by MTS Records/Virgin/Universal, this album stands as a heartfelt celebration of real, unfiltered country music.

Lynch’s longstanding commitment to preserving traditional country shines through, with each song telling a unique story of resilience, humor, and love. Fans of classic country will feel right at home, while newer listeners will find themselves charmed by Lynch’s sincerity and down-home wisdom.

Lynch’s music isn’t just for listening—it’s for living alongside, like an old friend who understands the ups and downs of life. So if you’re looking for an album that feels like a conversation on a porch swing, a reminder of simpler times, or just a comforting slice of country, Some Days Are Better Than Others is here to welcome you home.