Mitch Wong releases his debut album, ‘a beautiful ending, a blessed beginning’. The first full-length project from the Nashville-based Australian worship leader takes listeners on a journey from burial to bloom.

The concept revolves around the theme of surrender – allowing our old nature to die – and the beauty of resurrection, reminding us that death isn’t the end but the Divine doorway into fulness of life and joy. From an early age, Wong felt a passionate calling to write songs.

But it’s in recent years that he wholeheartedly embraced this intrinsic desire to spread his music and let his voice be heard. “I can vividly remember a night two years ago when I couldn’t fall asleep because I felt God downloading all these beautiful song ideas into my head. I was wide awake and inspired like I had never experienced before. My poor wife had to suffer me recording muffled voice memos in bed until around 6AM when the downloads stopped, and I finally went to sleep,” he describes.

That night changed him forever as the songs, lyrics, and melodies told such a beautiful and consistent story. From this, ‘a beautiful ending, a blessed beginning’ was born. The album opens with ‘Burial’, a song written with Cody Carnes, which celebrates the centrality of surrender and takes inspiration from Jesus’ teaching that to lose one’s life is to find it. 

“I felt that it was important and indeed countercultural to begin the album with a death; death to our old ways, our old thinking and our old burdens,” Wong says. By opening his record with profound words from the Apostle Paul – “to die is gain” – Wong makes a powerful and inspiring statement that no resurrection can come without a grave.

From there, ‘a beautiful ending, a blessed beginning’ expands into songs filled with gospel influences, pop soundscapes, and R&B accents as it approaches themes like loss and grief on songs such as ‘Still On The Throne’ and ‘To Be With The Lord’.

The latter towers as the album’s centerpiece, featuring Steffany Gretzinger on a deeply touching and worshipful duet. “To say that I’m deeply honored Steffany would sing this with me is a complete understatement,” Wong says. With great sensitivity, he encourages a faith-filled perspective of Jesus’ reign even through seasons of mourning. “I remember waking up at 2AM with the chorus in my head one night, I knew straight away that I was supposed to send it to my dear friend [as her] dad had recently graduated to Heaven to be with Jesus,” he tells. Though ‘a beautiful ending, a blessed beginning’ tackles weighty themes, Wong harnesses music to change perspectives so that we may see these topics as celebrations instead of burdens.

The trailblazing album then shifts into yet another rich layer, offering songs of rejoicing in the fruit that comes from surrender. “We discover that the Kingdom of God is alive, all around us, blooming within us,” Wong adds, “this album reveals that loss can be redefined as “a beautiful ending” and that the power and the goodness of Christ turns those endings into something new, something greater: “a blessed beginning”.

From its bold opening track to closing with ‘Reputation’, a sonically joyful track leaving us with a taste of godly confidence and bold faith to believe for God to do the impossible, Wong explores some deeply emotional themes with music that compliments and supports the lyrics. “Music can be a beautiful way of softening the heart and preparing us to receive hope. Although some of the songs cover life’s challenges, the somber tones and the midnight hours, I pray that the music will be like a steady hand for the listener, a faithful guide, a shoulder to lean on as we walk through the more difficult chapters of life,” the artist concludes. With ‘a beautiful ending, a blessed beginning’, Mitch Wong helps the Church dream of the brighter promised future we have in Christ, and sets out to remind us of the beauty and hope that exists in each season of life because of Him.

A Beautiful Ending, A Blessed Beginning – Mitch Wong

Australian songwriter and worship leader Mitch Wong introduces ‘Burial’, the first single from his forthcoming debut album. Written in collaboration with Cody Carnes, the new song explores the biblical nature of death and resurrection.

“I knew that this song would be track number one because the album goes on a journey from ‘burial’ to ‘bloom’,” Mitch comments. Yet, more than a structural and creative move, introducing his project with

‘Burial’ sets the scene for the revelation carried in his song writing: the mystery that unfolds after the burial is that we are made new creations in Christ; the old is gone and behold, the new has come. The theological depth of Mitch Wong’s songs is central in his ministry, and ‘Burial’ expands on the challenging call to discipleship that one must face when following Jesus.

“I hope this song provides revelation and wakes people up to the countercultural nature of the Kingdom of God,” he adds. The weighty and hopeful message of ‘Burial’ is shared on an airy and bright soundscape transpiring with the artist’s joy and conviction.

“Can you just imagine all the beautiful little miracles that wait beyond our choice to bury our fears, our pride, and our busy schedules?! The way of the Kingdom is dying to self and living for Christ […] I pray this song will stir believers to embrace that,” he concludes.

With ‘Burial’, Mitch Wong offers the Church a worshipful call to discipleship and a reminder that Jesus asks for our surrender.

“Burial” is available now.

Integrity Music songwriters Mitch Wong and Dwan Hill win a GRAMMY Award with Cece Winans’ song “Believe For It” which was also co-written with Kyle Lee and Cece Winans.

They take the award home in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category, which was announced during the Premiere Ceremony of the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards held in Las Vegas, NV. Alongside this win, Mitch Wong was also nominated for co-writing “Voice of God” by Dante Bowe and Nathan Jess, who is also an Integrity Music songwriter, was nominated for Chandler Moore’s “Man of Your Word.”

After last year’s ceremony happening online due to the global pandemic, sheer excitement, joy and thankfulness were palpable at this year’s ceremony and resounded in Mitch Wong’s acceptance speech: “This song is all about belief. We believe for a better world, we believe for peace, we believe in the unconditional, no strings attached love of Jesus and we want to thank Him.

Integrity Music is honored to celebrate this win at the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Awards, which featured 6 special performances and more than 70 GRAMMYs awarded across music genres ranging from classical and jazz, to R&B, Global music and more. Mark Nicholas, Head of Label at Integrity Music shares, “It is our great privilege to celebrate Mitch and Dwan’s good gifts and songs, particularly “Believe For It,” which is a resounding anthem to trust in God during precarious times. To see this song honored with a Grammy award is a testament to the world’s need of songs that offer ultimate hope.”

Integrity Music is overjoyed to see Christian music represented at Music’s Biggest Night and promises to continue to seek and release songs of substance that glorify God. Int The 64^th Annual GRAMMY Awards were held last night, Sunday April 3^rd, 2022, on the CBS Television Network, and hosted by Trevor Noah for the second year in a row. For a full list of all the wins, visit grammy.com.