WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIAN MUSIC?
My name’s Sam Chappell. I’m a record executive in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve been in Christian music for over 30 years. I’ve run several management companies. I’ve also been President of Integrity Music and 40 Records that were worship labels, and have a great passion and a belief in the future of Christian music. I believe that the message we give, which is hope and belief in Christ Jesus is the greatest message that we can give to the world. I believe the outpouring and the awakening that’s coming through the church, that the mission, the global demand and eyes on Christian music has never been greater. Now we’re seeing different segments of the society that have never been open to the gospel, or it’s been diminished, are now opening up. When you see the salvation of Kanye West and some of the transformation that’s going on in Hollywood, it’s incredible.
I believe Christian music and the subject of Jesus Christ in our songs has never had a greater moment, has never had a greater time and has never had a greater global audience. So I believe that for Christian music, it’s very unique in that there are many genres inside Christian music. You go from hip hop to Southern gospel to country to pop and worship. There’s all types of genres inside this term called Christian music. There’s a place for all of it. I believe that we’re on the verge of a great revival and I believe that music will play a great part in that. I think of the old Testament passage where, before the prophet spoke, he said, “bring me a minstrel”. Bring me a musician – because he knew that the minstrel, the musician stirred up the word of God. That is necessary in these settings, in these days and in these hours. This is the greatest moment to be alive. I think it’s the greatest moment to be in Christian music.
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