Anchor Hymns is a multigenerational collective of artists creating songs of worship and reflection infused with Neo Soul, Indie Rock, and Blues accents.

The second part of their initial project, an EP called ‘Give Thanks’, introduces soulful versions of beloved church classics around the theme of God’s kindness to us and His presence with so many generations of believers – before and after us.

They hope these songs can be sung again in new ways – in ways that inspire us to give our lives in honor of what Jesus has done for us, to serve our neighbors, and even love our enemies.

‘Give Thanks’ honors the metropolitan melting pot of cultures that happens when God’s people gather together.

The new Anchor Hymns project carries their heart to comfort listeners with the reminder that the Lord is with us in questions and suffering, as well as in joys and victories. Give Thanks is available now.

Give Thanks – Anchor Hymns

Nashville, TN – Multigenerational collective Anchor Hymns release a new single titled ‘All I Have Is Christ’, announcing their upcoming second EP, ‘Give Thanks’.

‘All I Have Is Christ’ was originally written by Jordan Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Music and features vocals by Paul Baloche and Leslie Jordan. Anchor Hymns’ new version of ‘All I Have Is Christ’ is a musical reinvention of the now-classic modern hymn which was recorded in the intimate settings of a small Anglican church’s chapel.

‘All I Have Is Christ’ seeks to inspire listeners with a deeper recognition that everything in life is fleeting besides the eternal and profound love of Jesus Christ.

Anchor Hymns brings together artists of various backgrounds with the purpose of creating songs of substance from both a lyrical, theological, and musical frame. ‘All I Have Is Christ’ joins the collective’s collection of songs seeking to create a place where honesty can be found in community, while simultaneously looking towards what’s ahead with gratitude.

“All I Have Is Christ” is available now.

‘Be Unto Your Name’ is the debut EP from Anchor Hymns, a community of Integrity Music songwriters and artists who care deeply about the theology and the craft of the songs the Church sings. This initial project was inspired by old hymns that have carried the Church for generations and across denominations.

Andrew Osenga (A&R Director at Integrity Music) explains that three pillars continually showed up in those formative songs: “frank honesty about suffering and doubt, an acute awareness that we are in one specific time and place, and the reassurance that God is with us right here, right now, even in our suffering and doubt.” ‘Be Unto Your Name’ references the kind of music loved by this collective but rarely heard in church; full of soul and groove, these songs are unafraid to tackle the sounds of suffering and grief, as well as joy and celebration.

The new project features instruments most churches have on a Sunday, showcasing them in a slightly different way, hinting that perhaps “it will give a church somewhere some kind of permission to try something new,” Andrew adds. Through this project and at their core, Anchor Hymns hope to communicate one of the greatest things about church hymnody: that it removes the pressure, and pride, of our own importance. Church hymnody has been going on for centuries and it will continue long after us, as Andrew concludes: “It’s my hope that in this brief moment we are marked by truthfulness in what we say, usefulness in the way we offer it, and a kindness to whoever the Lord brings into our orbit.” The songs on ‘Be Unto Your Name’ are for funerals and home churches alike, in both traditional and modern houses of worship worldwide.

Be Unto Your Name is available now.

Anchor Hymns release their third single, a version of ‘Altogether Good’ sung by Paul Baloche and UK worship leader Lucy Grimble. Originally written by Zach Bolen and Brian Eichelberger from the band Citizens, the song has an overall soothing feel which Paul and Lucy carry effortlessly.

Anchor Hymns’ new single is filled with reminders of the Lord’s nature in the face of personal and global questioning and hardship.

“There’s a gentleness and beauty to this song which really makes the power of its lyrics so easy to take in. It’s not forceful in presenting truth but it also doesn’t compromise on the message,” Lucy says.

‘Altogether Good’ points to God’s presence in our weakness, our hiding, our joys and griefs all at once.

Paul Baloche sings this song off the back of losing two close relatives to cancer, “in the battle it can feel like you’re all alone,” he says, “though we didn’t see the outcome that we prayed for, we were reassured many times by his presence in the midst of suffering.” ‘Altogether Good’ encourages us to continually trust and come back to God’s loving presence in all honesty, as Paul concludes: “Acknowledging our doubts or disappointments to God is part of any healthy relationship.”

Anchor Hymns is the latest Integrity Music multi-artist project which is starting by reaching into the past with initial releases that will cover some of Integrity’s most iconic songs and reframe them in a modern way.

“Altogether Good” is available now.

Anchor Hymns is the latest Integrity Music multi-artist project which was unveiled last month with a debut single. Starting with reaching into the past, the initial releases will cover some of Integrity’s most iconic songs and reframe them in a modern and musical way; now taking on one of the most enduring hymns of recent years as their second single, ‘In Christ Alone’.

Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, this song has spread far and wide within the global church as it tells the good news of Jesus Christ so richly and succinctly: “from life’s first cry, to final breath.” This Anchor Hymns version of ‘In Christ Alone’ features established artist and liturgist Sandra McCracken as well as singer-songwriter Antoine Bradford, whose voices blend beautifully on a warm and blues-y soundscape.

Commenting on the arrangement of the new single that includes an improvised musical section, Sandra McCracken hopes that, “our interpretation of this hymn will help to be able to be sung in more churches, even with simple instrumentation.”

‘In Christ Alone’ has been a pillar in the Church’s song book and Anchor Hymns hope to continue the trend, as Antoine says that it “echoes the goodness of God in the face of Jesus Christ… it’s in Him alone that lasting fulfilment and eternal hope are found.” The heart behind Anchor Hymns being to create songs of substance from both a lyrical, theological, and musical frame shines through their second release.

Concluding with a nod to what it yet to come, Sandra McCracken notes, “Anchor Hymns is a special collaboration […] I love seeing this diverse community of musicians come together around a desire to write and celebrate hymns of the faith.” This new version of ‘In Christ Alone’ hints that something new is happening here…

“In Christ Alone” is available now.

Integrity Music unveils a brand-new project and multigenerational collective of artists creating songs of substance from both a lyrical, theological, and musical frame called Anchor Hymns.

Starting with reaching into the past, the initial releases cover some of Integrity’s most iconic songs and reframe them in a modern and musical way. The movement introduces its first single with a revisited version of ‘Christ Be All Around Me’ featuring multi-cultural collective Village Lights and singer-songwriter Jasmine Mullen. “Christ Be All Around Me” is available now.

Rooted in sacred, reverential, and vulnerable honesty, Anchor Hymns dive deep into the human condition and are unafraid to tackle the sounds of suffering and grief, as well as joy and celebration. As is introduced with ‘Christ Be All Around Me,’ this is more than just a serious collection of spiritual songs. The songs emerging from Anchor Hymns are meant to be played on a continuum of musical sophistication, allowing room for worship musicians to level up their skills or to simplify the sounds and play within their skillset.