back in Bible times . But to think that when we sing those words were singing along with what ’ s happening in heaven right now . That song is being sung in heaven right now by the angels ! And so , I love writing songs right now that let us dial into that scene and , like the lyrics say , “ With saints and angels we cry Holy ”. At the very time we sing “ Holy ” out of our mouths were joining in with angels singing “ Holy ”, and that just does something exciting in my spirit .
[ WM ] You ’ ve had a long trek in Christian music , and with experience comes perspective . I often ask my interview guests what encouragement they might have for church musicians ? I would like to ask you that advise , and also the question , “ What should Christian musicians be wary of during these divided times that we live in ”?
[ Jesse ] I will say this , you can ’ t lead anyone to a place that you ’ re not going . I feel like we have way more worship followers than worship leaders in this country . Meaning guys are looking to see what Hillsong is doing . What Elevation is doing , what Maverick City is doing .
And that ’ s kind of their whole game plan is following that to a place that they ’ re going to with Jesus . Getting on your face before Jesus and asking , what do you want these people to sing ? The word used in the Bible is shepherd , and a shepherd has to know where they ’ re leading their sheep . I think the best question a worship leader can ask is to ask Jesus , where do you want me to lead these sheep ? That ’ s what needs to happen .
For songwriters out there , I have been a part of some pretty big songs that people know , but I ’ ve also written thousands of songs that nobody ’ s heard . That would be my encouragement to a songwriter is , don ’ t get discouraged if no one ever hears your song , just write another one , and another one , then write another one . Write a song that you want to sing to Jesus , and don ’ t chase this machine of Christian stardom . Just write songs that you think make Jesus happy , and that ’ s enough .
[ WM ] And in closing , what ’ s the story behind that old Fender bass of yours ? Are you still playing it ?
[ Jesse ] Oh yes , I ’ m playing it ! It was a gift from my wife on our first anniversary . It ’ s a 1976 Fender P bass that she got in a little store in Weatherford , Texas , called Craig ’ s Music . And Craig was a fireman and owned a music store . She bought it for $ 600 . It is my favorite instrument that I own .
[ WM ] Jesse , thanks so much for the visit today . It ’ s really good to see you . God bless your work there in Austin as well as your family . KingsPorch is exciting to me . Without the real church we don ’ t have a chance in this world . I know that these songs that will touch the church everywhere .
[ Jesse ] Thanks Alex , that means a lot coming from you , I feel like you ’ ve been everywhere and seen everything . I feel like I ’ m running down your same road … just twenty years later .