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Michael
W. Smith :
On an early summer evening in Lakeland, Florida, a crowd of
nearly 9,000 people gathered at Carpenter’s Home Church
to experience a moment in time they’re not likely to
forget. As the lights dimmed, a hush of anticipation fell
over the sanctuary as a 23-member choir of familiar faces
inconspicuously took the stage, directed only by the swell
of the music.
Sitting at
the piano just off to the side was the evening’s musical
director and worship leader, Michael W. Smith, who skillfully
ushered the audience into an unforgettable night of worship
with the opening strains of the very first chorus. This unprecedented
worship experience was all part of a vision Michael has had
for many years, an album he has always wanted to record yet
he had set the idea aside until now. During his 18-year career
he has become one of the most influential artists in the Christian
music industry, recording 15 albums that have yielded 27 Dove
Awards, numerous GRAMMY nominations and two GRAMMY Awards
and an American Music Award. His albums have sold more than
seven million copies, reaching platinum and gold status. And
yet, this newest project, the live recording simply titled
Worship, is something Michael has been looking forward to
for years. “I’ve been a worship leader now for 20
years,” Michael says.
“I’ve
been a part of some amazing worship moments – moments
I’ve experienced at Belmont Church and now at my new
church, New River Fellowship. Something has been happening
there that I’ve never been a part of before.” Michael
notes, “It was life-changing. I’d never seen anything
like it. To see those kids crying out to God with so much
passion was just amazing. I thought, ‘Wow, this is what
you pray for… this is a piece of heaven." Then earlier
this year, Michael was asked to lead a special worship event
for the Gospel Music Association at its annual Gospel Music
Week in Nashville. Michael invited several artists to join
him on stage that evening as part of a choir, with no solos
or step-out performances planned. The group came together
simply to help lead the audience in a time of worship. Michael’s
commitment to worship is not new. While he’s been a worship
leader for local church congregations most of his life, he
has also been able to incorporate worship segments into his
concerts over the years. His written contributions to the
worship community include classic songs like “Great Is
The Lord,” “How Majestic Is Your Name,” “Thy
Word” and “Agnus Dei,” to name just a few.
In choosing the songs for Worship, Michael says it was important
that he pick a collection of songs that had become mainstays
in his own worship experience. “These are my favorite
songs that I sing all the time in my car or in my church.
I picked the songs that move me the most – and these
songs can totally stand on their own through the test of time.”
And that night in Lakeland, Florida was an experience Michael
says he won’t forget. “I’m still astounded
that even with all the baggage we carry, when we come together
to worship the Lord something supernatural happens. It’s
the real thing. We knew going into that night that it would
be great, but we had no idea the magnitude of what would take
place. And I think there may be some things about that night
that we may never know about until we’re with the Lord.”
Above everything else, Michael says, this night and this album
are about lives being changed. “I love the fact that
we got to play a small part in ushering in the presence of
God. I’m unworthy, but I thank Him for letting me be
a part of it.”
 _.:Michael
W. Smith Official Site
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