The Nelons share “Three Nails Instead.” This single comes ahead of the group’s final album, due August 30. Pre-orders are now available at Daywind.com.
“Right before all of this happened, my family and I had just completed a brand new album that was already supposed to be released at the end of this month. I had no idea how big of an impact this album would have on my life, especially with what I’m walking through now.” -Autumn Nelon Streetman, the youngest daughter of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark
Last month, one of America’s most cherished Gospel music families, The Nelons, were involved in a tragic plane crash. The family was en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the accident occurred. The crash claimed the lives ofJason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and son-in-law Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa.
Genre-bending acoustic quartet Act of Congress releases “Welcome To The Heart of God”
Co-written by Act of Congress members and Michael Farren (Reba McEntire, Walker Hayes, Lauren Daigle) and produced and mixed by Thomas Dulin (Drew and Ellie Holcomb), “Welcome To The Heart of God” is the first in a cascade of new original singles coming from Act of Congress this year. The single shares the gospel’s open invitation to everyone in the world.
“Much of Jesus’ ministry recorded in scripture takes place around a shared meal, at a table,” muses Act of Congress members Connie Skellie (violin, vocals), Adam Wright(mandolin, vocals), Chris Griffin(guitars) and Tim Carroll (bass) collectively while referencing Luke 14:15-23, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 2:13-17 and other scriptures. “He was constantly being chastised by the religious elite for sharing meals with ‘sinners.’ It seems like showing mercy to those who felt like they didn’t belong was a core tenet of the ministry of Jesus, a pillar of ‘the kingdom of God.’”
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“Through the years, the gospel has rung true, especially during those aha moments – through parenting kids with their failures and triumphs and through my own despair and joyful highs,” shares Skellie whose sons were born with an incurable eye disease. “I now realize there’s never been a time when Christ wasn’t pursuing me.”
“I think about the simplicity of a hymn like ‘Amazing Grace,’ and hope that this song communicates those same truths,” adds Wright. “We have to see our need, that we’ve not measured up, that we’re the wretch in the story, and that we must find help. But we also have to see how God has met that need beautifully and perfectly in the gospel, in the sending of his perfect Son, Jesus, who has laid down his own life for those who acknowledge they can’t save themselves.”
“God is a safe place, and he loves us,” confirms Griffin, who knew the song was special after looking up and seeing the rest of the band with tears in their eyes during the writing session for the song.
“It was a very emotional moment for me as the lyrics were being crafted about how I am accepted regardless,” reflects Carroll, awed by the realization that the same gift is true for everyone. “It’s such a great message that I need to hear every day.”
The new single follows the Act of Congress release The Hymns That Made Us, a full-length album that reimagines timeless classics, inviting listeners to worship with thanksgiving, confession, prayer, lament and praise.
