language worship leader who was already my students turned to another classmate and
translating some songs for us, was going to said, “Did you see that? He didn’t do anything!”
be in town at the time of the recording. To be I asked the student what he meant by the
honest, it was one of my favorite moments of statement and he said, “Matt just led worship
the whole night – seeing that bi-lingual version and the Holy Spirit fell. There were no stage
land with people, and lots of joy all around the effects, no fancy clothes. It was just pure and
room as we sang it.
[WM] In the Book of Acts, verse 1:11 (NIV), it
states, “This same Jesus, who has been taken
from you into heaven, will come back in the
same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
“The Same Jesus” is the title of your single
released to Christian radio. Tell us about the
song and the inspiration behind it.
[Matt] It’s a song saying that look throughout
history, and the story of scripture, and you’ll
find Jesus on every page. The same Jesus who
spoke the world into being is the same Jesus
who walked the earth, took up the cross, rose
from the grave, ascended to heaven, and is
coming back again. And not only is He always
present, He is always consistent – not just in
the timeline of history, but in the timeline of our
own lives so it’s an upbeat celebration of that.
[WM] Your song “Send Me Lord” is a
magnificent and prayerful call to missions and
humble.”
The Same Jesus
a huge heart and gifting for congregational
worship, but also go write and play music way
outside the walls of the church too. That’s such
a healthy approach.
[WM]
What
is
your
guitar
of
choice
these days?
I think that is a wonderful insight to what you’ve
always brought to the worship community.
Thank you, Matt, for your time and faithful
service.
[Matt] That’s super kind of you – but I think
a good point. I love all the creative production
and all that stuff, in its right place. But there’s
[Matt] I’ve loved songwriting and leading
worship with a Collings C10 guitar for quite a
while now. But seeing as we’re now living in
Southern California, a friend at Taylor lent me
a lovely Builders Edition 517 acoustic guitar to
write with, which is a super inspiring instrument
too.
something so wonderful when it’s all stripped
way back too. Ultimately my aim is to capture
something of the people of God, in the presence
of God, pouring out the presence of God. That
can be expressed in so many different musical
ways, but when that dynamic is happening in
the room - there’s nothing quite like it on the
face of the earth.
[WM] I have to close by telling you something.
While teaching a worship and songwriting
class last year, I was showing a video of you
leading worship from many years ago. One of
evangelism. It’s not necessarily a “worship
song”, but a challenge for listeners to be ready
to serve. Contemporary Christian Music has
changed so dramatically since the sounds of
the Jesus Movement in the late 60’s. and early
70’s. While that particular music mirrored the
“singer-songwriter” movement’s expressions
of social commentary, they were minimally
focused on praise and worship, and more
aimed towards evangelism. What are your
thoughts on a return to that kind of direction in
Christian music?
[Matt] I think we need all sorts of expressions,
all sorts of approaches, all sorts of themes. The
more we do that, the more we give honor to
the many facets of the nature and character
of God, and the more windows we create by
which those outside the Church can see Him
too. I love the way some of my friends have
photo by Lee Steffen
February 2020
Subscribe for Free...
37