N E W LO C AT I O N ,
NEW RELEASE,
Having the opportunity to visit with Paul
Baloche was an incredible blessing. I have
S A M E VO I C E O F
E N C O U R AG E M E N T
been learning from Paul for almost 20 years!
If you don’t know Paul, I think he is hilarious
and so very insightful. Truly, he is a voice
that God has used to bless, encourage, and
equip the Church.
Interview by Mitch Bohannon
[WM] With your recent move to New York,
time staff member of Harvest Bible Chapel in
what has changed in your ministry? Is there a
Chicago. So, about once a month, I fly out there
new focus that the Lord is leading you to?
and lead as part of their team and their staff.
I’ve led half of these songs in both locations.
PAUL BALOCHE: The idea of diversity comes
I’ve led “More Than I Deserve” several times in
to mind. After serving for 25 years in the same
Chicago. I wrote that with Meredith Andrews of
church, same neighborhood, same part of the
Vertical Church Band. That song has become
country -Those were wonderful years! But, the
one of their “standards”, if you will, as well as
thing that has surprised and inspired me is
“Your Mercy” that I wrote with Andi Rozier, also
the tremendous diversity in New York City - a
of Vertical Church Band. I think people resonate
microcosm of the entire globe! ‘Every nation,
with it because it’s a testimony of God’s mercy.
tribe, and tongue’ (Revelation 5:90) Literally,
We can all relate to the prodigal season of our
every nation, tribe, and tongue is represented
lives where we kind of ‘lost our way and the road
in New York City somewhere. Even on the
was dark.’ Where we experience the pain of our
new album, there’s a representation of worship
wrong choices, you know… but, Your Mercy!
pastors from all different kinds of churches
That is sort of the big pivot in that song. It’s just
and cultural backgrounds that really opened
all these things we encounter are because of
my eyes to the larger Church - the worldwide
our choices, and yet God is merciful. We’ve all
church and the various expressions and
experienced God’s mercy at some level, so it’s
emphases. So, I’m learning. My ears and my
an opportunity for us to acknowledge that and
heart are open to listening and learning and
thank Him for that specifically.
observing and allowing that to affect me and
my ministry and how I minister.
Also, the song “Once For All” appeals to a lot
of folks. That was co-written with Matt Redman
[WM] Tell me about the new studio project. I’ve
and we probably exchanged 50 emails back
had some time to listen to it and it’s fantastic.
and forth trying to really nail the lyrics. We really
My favorite songs are, “Your Mercy” and “More
wanted to re-tell the Gospel, if you will. To tell
Than I Deserve.” How is the church responding
the Gospel again and again. I think when writing
to these songs?
songs for the church, we have to continue to
‘sing the Gospel, sing the Gospel, sing the
PAUL: I’ve been doing “Your Mercy” at my
Gospel’ in every possible way. You know, just
local church. I’m not on staff, but my “home”
to come at it from a different angle. The primary
fellowship has been Trinity Grace Church,
hook is found in Hebrews chapter 10, “Once for
where David Gungor of The Brilliance is the
all, He died.” It’s not our righteousness, it’s His
worship pastor. I jump in there and lead when
righteousness, His salvation.
he asks me to. I also have become a part20
Nov Dec 2016
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