Passion's Innovative Pastor Proves

IN REVIEW: NEWSBOYS’ ‘LOVE RIOT,’ AUDREY ASSAD, JODY MCBRAYER

MEREDITH ANDREWS INTO THE DEEP

JOHN TIBBS WITHIN REACH PASSION’S INNOVATIVE PASTOR PROVES ‘SURRENDER’ ISN’T A WORD FOR THE WEAK

FEB 15, 2016 God isn’t finished with you yet.

#TheComebackStory louiegiglio.com/thecomeback

Also Available: The Comeback Curriculum and Study Guide contents february 01, 2016

From the Editor LOUIE GIGLIO Publisher Michael Miller LOUIE GIGLIO Souls on fire—Passion 2016 fans Associate Publisher | Mixed Media Production the flames of faith, fortitude and Ross Cluver fearlessness Associate Publisher | Circulation & Marketing Smitty Wheeler Managing Editor Kevin Sparkman Designers MEREDITH ANDREWS Martina Ahlbrandt Joshua Jamison A recent trip in rediscovering the depths of God’s truths provided Contributing Editors Meredith Andrews a renewed Andy Argyrakis perspective and purpose for marriage, Matt Conner motherhood, and music Contributor Caroline Lusk Assistant Prod. Manager Paula Rozelle Hanback JOHN TIBBS A relative newcomer & true rock n’ Fulfillment & Customer Service Manager roll worshipper, the midwestern artist Jennifer Evenson prides himself on honest hard work, his musical roots, and genuine loyalty Customer Service Reps Janice Collier Arsenault Jason Lloyd Executive Dir. of Advertising DeDe Donatelli-Tarrant 805.987.5072 Reviews [email protected] Newsboys, Audrey Assad, Jody McBrayer + much Joel Stombres, 630.584.0213 more! [email protected] Account Executive Jon Edlin, 913.231.7333 [email protected] Web Ad Traffic Director Tamara Phillips

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 from the editor

Renewal vs. Resolutions | It might seem more fitting that a short op-ed piece about renewal would be written around the time of new years. I’ve never been a huge fan of new years’ resolutions, mostly due to the fact that I’ve been terrible at keeping them—and usually not much longer than a week! So, am I finally getting around to writing my new years blurb, now that it’s February 15? Funny, but that’s not the case, here. Renewal, in the spiritual sense, is welcomed at any time. And for many of us, perhaps we’re just now coming into the realization that our lives are once again, back into that familiar end-of-the-year chaos. “I really wanted to start the year off right,” we might be moaning, while we spend another hour at work on Facebook, have a second slice of pie, or spout off that four-letter word. Stop. Take a deep breath. There’s good news! Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Whew. He loves us (always and forever)—and He will forgive and guide us, all the same, despite the gap between our best intentions from Jan. 1 and where we stand right now. Feeling a little lighter? Pray Psalm 51:10 to Jesus: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Strength for the road ahead: Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Walk out your next steps today Ephesians 4:23 in your head, …be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and seize the day, the month, the year renewed.

Blessings,

Kevin Sparkman Editor, CCM Magazine [email protected]

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www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016

LOUIE GIGLIO

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-01-2016 Louie Giglio - Souls On Fire

Passion 2016 fans the flames of faith, fortitude and fearlessness

By Caroline Lusk

Almost twenty ago, a movement began. A handful of God’s faithful were given a mission to make the name of Jesus famous in the forthcoming generations. Since then, arenas around the country action the mandate of the Gospel to care for the least of these. have been packed with young people finding faith and putting into Under the guidance of Louie Giglio whom, alongside his wife Shelley, founded the Passion movement—and it has evolved into a yearly conference, a musical platform and an undeniable force of change. Sixsteprecords is home to worship leaders Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Christy N ockles and many more who have veritably shaped the landscape of modern worship. Passion Conferences were among the earliest movements to throw light on dollars to the eradication to such grave social injustice. the atrocity of human trafficking, raising hundreds of thousands of Just one month ago in January 2016, that clarion call of human justice was louder than ever, as students raised money to build a hospital in the polarizing country of Syria. Yet what is controversial began as a spark has most clearly become a passion ablaze. to some is merely the fulfillment of the gospel to others. And what CCM Magazine had the privilege of chatting with founder Louie Giglio about the movement, the momentum and what is next for the groundbreaking ministry.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 Louielo Gig i

CCM Magazine: As you approach the twenty-year mark with Passion. At this point, are there any ‘benchmarks’ you have yet to achieve? Louie Giglio: It’s interesting to consider, but there was a point fourteen years ago after One Day 2000 that we thought the mission of Passion might be complete...that we had served the purpose for which God set us in motion. Obviously, that wasn’t the case and God had more in store than we could imagine. We couldn’t be more grateful for what we have been able to be a part of the past two decades. So I guess the benchmark we are focused on is staying in step with Jesus in the days ahead.

CCM: What did the 2016 Passion conference represent to you? How was it distinct from previous years? LG: in two cities in one seamless gathering. It worked better than expected On the and human felt like side, we it werewas a all first in onefor us—linkingbeautiful space three together. arenas So that’s a huge distinction. Yet, on the spiritual side, and it’s hard

There was a depth...a clarity of calling in each session that felt just to quantify—2016 felt like one of our most significant gatherings. special seeing the durability of the vision across the years. Passion isas prettysignificant deep, as meaning our first that gathering 45 to 50-minute in 1997. For messages me, that’s by prettythinkers, theologians, preachers and pastors are not the norm for student conferences, but people fully leaned-in and the seed was surely planted. All that to say, it feels like we are tilted forward, and that’s a great thing after nineteen years.

CCM: When you look at thousands of young people lifting their hands and giving of their time and money for others, what does

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 Louielo Gig i that say to you about the future of the church and of the country in general? LG: It says that the people who are writing off this generation might be looking in the wrong place. This generation is alert and willing to and His heartbeat for the world. engage at a significant level in response to glimpses of God’s glory The Church feels much stronger now than when we began twenty years ago. Leaders like David Platt, Matt Chandler and so many others were awakened and inspired in a Godward, and subsequently, a Church-ward direction sitting in Passion gatherings years ago. If this kind of fruit continues, it bodes well for the Church and the future. There have been a lot of knocks on the multi-labeled generations who have come through Passion (now “millennials”), but I wouldn’t count them out just yet!

CCM: Music has always been an integral part of Passion. Why? What is it about music that bridges hearts and brings passion to life? LG: Sound is a vital component in the economy of God. Music touches us in its own unique way. And in the song there is an irrevocable and altruistic blending of voices into one. We are moved by God’s majesty and grace and the song helps us respond with mind, body and spirit. And the song unites us, fuels us...gives us our marching orders.

So when we set out on this Passion journey we knew worship would be central. Not recordings, but worship. Honestly, all the albums and

His name. the rest were just an overflow of wanting to see Jesus and amplify

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 Louielo Gig i

CCM: Why have you been so committed to keeping social justice at the heart of Passion? LG: We believe worship and justice are two sides of the same coin, each inseparable from the other. God’s Word is clear, He loves songs and invites us to sing, but worship is a lifestyle more than just a song, and the song we must not forget is the one that propels us to carry His mercy and truth to those who have no voice.

CCM: This year you raised money for a hospital in Syria. Given the controversy over allowing Syrian refugees into this country, what do you feel is our obligation as Christians to care for widows and orphans? How do you hope to inspire young people in that vein? LG: population Building migration a hospital from within the Syria Mideast is a to challenge the western and fliesworld. in But we arethe facenot calling of the politicalpeople to ramifications a political solution, brought but on a by gospel the current response. common good, but we also can act now—in Jesus’ name—to care for peopleI will let in smarter need. people than me figure out the best policies for the

If an accident happens in front of me, I don’t ask the victims for their religious identification. I call for assistance and try to render aid. WorldThis hospital Vision specifically, has ensured addresses us a great the possibility needs of women,for success and in will meetingbe one of, human if not theneed. first, This NICU is the hospital fabric inof theour region.message Our and partner, the heartbeat of the One we follow.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 Louielo Gig i

CCM: Your latest book, The Comeback, is certainly something everyone can relate to—being knocked down. Personally, what has been a setback in your life that you’ve had to recover from, walk through, or learn to live with? LG: I open the book with a vulnerable recounting of a near breakdown I had in 2008. A lot of factors triggered a depression- related collapse than landed me in a dark hole and knocked me out of commission. In some ways you never fully move on from something that ticks you like that. But God came through with powerful rescue and continues through that struggle to daily draw my heart toward His.

CCM: You make it a point to not offer false promises in your book. How do you explain the hope of Christ to someone who doesn’t know Him, with the caveat of, “your circumstances may not improve”...? Is it possible for healing to co-exist with hurting? LG: The promise of the gospel is that Jesus will live in us...that He will be to us and in us a source of life. But He also promised that in this world we would have heartache, loss, pain. Often, the victory is physical healing, deliverance, restoration, but in every case we have the assurance that nothing in this life can separate us from His love. And nothing can thwart His purposes and plans for our lives. In the end, no matter the struggle, we win. In the end, no matter the loss, we gain.

CCM: With 40,000 students in attendance this year and 60,000 projected for next year, what’s left for Passion to achieve? What do you hope the future brings for this organization and those touched by it?

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 Louielo Gig i

LG: their life is really all about. One more campus that doesn’t have a lighthouseFor now, of there’sgospel onehope. more One student more person who hasn’t settling seen for what less when they were created for so much more. In the end, Passion is about people. Touching the next one is a worthwhile goal.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 .com

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LIVE FROM THE WORLD’S CHRISTIAN MUSIC CAPITAL A service of Salem Music Network – Nashville, TN MEREDITH ANDREWS

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-01-2016 Meredith Andrews Off The Deep End

A recent trip in rediscovering the depths of God’s truths provided Meredith Andrews a renewed perspective and purpose for marriage, motherhood, and music

By Matt Conner

A lucky few have been listening to Meredith Andrews’ new album, Deeper, long before others. They aren’t label execs, press members or even friends or family. These were fans that happened to hear Andrews play some of the new songs in concert, and they just had to have them. More than that, they needed them.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 M eredith Andrews

“I had no idea when I would be able to hand someone a physical copy,” says Andrews. “People would ask and say, ‘I need this song just email you the demo.’” now!’ Some of them were really adamant and I finally just said, ‘I’ll The response is representative of the larger story around pop artist’s new release, Deeper. The songs on her latest aren’t just inspirational. They’re more than catchy or memorable. They’re necessary. They are songs birthed from deeply personal stories of heartache and frustration, sorrow and confusion. They were songs that Andrews herself needed, so it’s no surprise that her audience needs them, too.

Three years have passed since her previous album Worth It All brought her further into the conversation of Christian music’s biggest female artists. After several years as a worship leader for Vertical Church in addition to two Dove Award wins to her name, Andrews has already amassed a large following. It made sense for Andrews and her husband, Jacob Sooter, who is also a producer, to move to and platform. Nashville and record a new album that would further her influence Except it wasn’t that easy.

“Over the last two years, we’ve moved to Nashville and I had my third child,” says Andrews. “When you have your third, it’s like ‘Game Over’ in a good way, but you realize you really should clone yourself. In the midst of those changes, Jacob and I were also walking through the hardest season of our marriage that we’ve ever experienced—just a lot of stress, transition and attacks from the enemy all rolled together. We were learning to navigate the move, three kids, and full-time

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 M eredith Andrews ministry because still on staff at our church in Chicago while living in Nashville. I was traveling and asking, ‘How does this all work? How do we stay sane and not be just ships passing in the night?’”

Such seismic transitions brought more than just stress to their household; it nearly tore them apart. The proverbial storms of life caused such damage on the surface that Andrews says she doubted her ability to weather it any longer. Everything was at stake—her family, of inspiration and tangible help when Andrews needed it most. her career, her ministry. Fortunately, God proved faithful with moments “Last October, we had a friend come to our house to pray over us,” says Andrews. “We’d gotten to rock bottom, especially in our said, ‘I feel like the Lord is speaking to me that He just wants me to praymarriage, over you,and realizedyour family we can’tand your fix this house.’ on our She own. did andA sweet I felt friendlike it was the beginning of the turn.”

The turn also included the aforementioned addition to the family, her daughter Francis. Andrews says giving birth to her third child could provide a tipping point in the midst of such chaos, but instead God

“Evenused Francis though to it bringwas crazy everyone and I together. felt overwhelmed when she was born, she was a ray of light in our darkness,” says Andrews. “It was a glimpse of what God wanted to do in our family. Her name is like the Lord was saying, ‘I’m bringing a joy and a freedom through thisFrancis. little We baby.’ call her ‘Frankie,’ but her name means ‘free one.’ I felt

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 M eredith Andrews

“I look at her every day and realize that she’s a free spirit. She’s such a joy. It was so crazy how the Lord used even her being born for us to catch our breath. We knew it was hard but it was worth it.”

Because of the level of pressures and internal struggle, Andrews also said they’ve also learned the value of boundaries—saying “no” to career pressure and ministry demands for the sake of family. It was a protective move that allowed them to rest and heal at a pivotal moment. some stuff,” she says. “We just dropped everything and got away as a“In family February to a mountain of last year, cabin. over That Valentine’s was really weekend, rebuilding we cancelled for us. God was putting the pieces back together and doing a deeper work in us. It’s like the Lord said, ‘This isn’t hopeless. You just have to hang on to Me.’ So there were these lifelines being thrown out to us in the midst of what felt like this massive storm.”

Some lifelines also appeared in the form of the songs she was writing that’s found an instant impact with fans, but before she ever sang it concert,in the midst Andrews of it all. says “Soar” she sangis one along of the with first the singles demo from in the Deeper car—and not for reasons you might think.

“When I wrote ‘Soar’ with Mia Fieldes and Seth Mosley, it was almost like the Lord was saying, ‘Here’s a song and you’re going to need this.’ It was the beginning of walking through this valley,” she says. “God gave me a song to sing over myself long before I would ever sing it over others. And I did. I would crank up that demo in the car, and I would just cry. I would bawl and sing at the top of my lungs.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 M eredith Andrews

“I don’t normally listen to myself, but it was a song that I needed. I knew I had to sing it and believe it was true. It was me singing, ‘Even though I’m in the valley, I believe your promises. I believe that you are working while I wait. Even in this waiting season, you’re in it and you’re still intentional in it.’” and the rest you can kind of draw a line of similarity through all of them,”“That was she probablycontinues. one “They of the all first say thesongs same we thingwrote in for sort this of record, different ways. The title track, ‘Deeper,’ is a song we wrote together with our friend Mia, and we were still banging our head against the wall wondering when this would end. It all felt so up and down, up and down. We needed freedom from this and we were asking, ‘God, when are you going to free us? Because we could use something real soon.’”

Through it all, Andrews is now in much happier and healthier, but it’s not because she ran from the problems surrounding her. Andrews says she titled the record Deeper because it is “all-encompassing,” and it’s the term that best describes her posture in this season of need. She’s learned lessons of what it means to lean deeper in what God has promised.

“I feel like God is bringing me to the end of the valley, and I’m seeing the light,” she says. “Because of this, I’ve realized that I have something to say that I didn’t have before. I’ve known God to be faithful in that darkness when I’d never known anything like that in my life. Now I have an authority to say, ‘I’ve known the Lord to be who He says He is. I’ve known Him to be true. He is on your side. He is working in a mighty way. He has a plan, so let Him do what He wants to do in your heart.’”

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 M eredith Andrews

Andrews says it’s the ability to share the wisdom and hope from her own experiences that keeps her going deeper into the demands of than it used to be to head out on the road or appear at an event. hHerowever, singing in career. limited With stretches, three it’skids worth at home, the investmentit’s more difficult for the sake of serving others.

“Even though I don’t love getting on a plane and leaving my kids, when I get to look people in the face and love on them and sing over them and invite them to sing with me the truth of who God is—His character and His love for us—there’s nothing else like it,” says Andrews. “It makes me come alive. I’m just so excited and expectant in being able to share these songs and stories with people, and hearing their stories too, and believing God will use these songs to speak hope into people’s lives where they have none.”

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016

JOHN TIBBS

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 John Tibbs—Within Reach

A Relative Newcomer And True Rock N’ Roll Worshipper, The Midwestern Artist Prides Himself On Honest Hard Work, His Musical Roots, And Genuine Loyalty

By Matt Conner

Springsteen. Petty. Mellencamp. This brand of working man’s rock and roll is a proven one, saturated in the stories of the average American. It is, however, rare territory for an artist who could also be branded as a worship leader. Meet John Tibbs, an uncommon artist charting his own musical course.

Tibbs is the newest addition on the FairTrade Services label, a young man whose midwestern work ethic and musical approach release, titled Dead Man Walking (the follow up to last year’s EP ofgarnered the same a tremendous name), delivered following by the as afore an independent mentioned artist.label, drops His first Matt Maher will give him a chance to shine after previous tour slots for Audrey Assad and NewsboysFebruary 2016. We andrecently a spring sat down tour with with John to hear more about his roots rock delivery and working with producer Ben Shive for the first time.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 CCM Magazine: You’ve got a roots music delivery and set of influences, but you’re also a worship leader. It’s an uncommon mix, which makes me curious how you bring it all together in one musical package? John Tibbs: Man, that is a great question. Worship, to me, is a conversation between myself and God. So when I write lyrics, I write from my experiences and my story. That inherently creates a conversation. I don’t necessarily try and write something that’s comfortable for a corporate worship setting. Rather, I try and write something that’s very real and honest to me and a melody that invokes that emotion. I try to focus on the heart before anything else.

As far as the music goes, I just want to make some thing I’m proud of. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, and it felt like the classic American rock of John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen were the soundtrack of my childhood. That certainly had an impact on me. As I’ve grown up, I’ve fallen in love with modern sounds from guys like Ryan Adams and Brandon Flowers.

All of that has influenced the wayThe I sing Lone and Bellow write. live. It was a venue in Bloomington, IN on a Monday night in January. There were probablyI remember eighty the firstpeople time there. I saw It was the kind of cold night that you think to yourself, ‘These guys probably don’t want to be here.’ That didn’t seem to be the case, though. After one song in particular, Zach Williams stood on the stage right in front of us, in silence, and just cried. That said a lot to me.

I decided right then that I wanted to write songs that no matter how many times I sing them, it will always means something to me. And, you know, I think that’s the kind of music that connects to people. If it’s real to me, it’s most likely real to someone else. I think we are

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 “worship” category and others, not. That’s okay. It’s all genuine to me andall connected. that is what So, matters. yeah, some The of rest my will music work can itself probably out. fit into the

CCM: You mentioned being struck by music that’s genuine. When was the last time you felt that way about a piece of music? Any recent moments? JT: One of my favorite records this past year was The Firewatcher’s Daughter by Brandi Carlisle. She’s been slaving away for over a decade, and you can hear her story coming to life in this record. I don’t know everything about her, but that’s the great thing about music. Although we are disconnected people, we connect through somehow, we are connected in that. Man, isn’t that something? these songs. Her words from her story find me in my story, and I love how the record opens up: “I think it’s time we found a way back home / You lose so many things you love as you grow / I missed the days when I was a kid / My fear became my shadow, I swear it did.”

CCM: You worked with Ben Shive (Ellie Holcomb, Rend Collective) on the new album. What did he bring to the music that wasn’t already there? JT: It was truly an honor to work with Ben on this record. He is the most genuine, humble, talented, and hard-working producer I’ve ever met. He showed up every single day ready to do whatever to make this music great. Ben is a wonderful listener and I felt like he was able to see these songs from the outside and bring a fresh perspective. If you listen to his work—Colony House, Ellie Holcomb, Dave Barnes—they are all wildly different, but they’re all true and unique to the artist. I really enjoyed working with him, and cannot wait to do it again.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 CCM: On the worship side, when you’re in that setting, what’s the best advice you’ve been given about being a leader in that space? JT: I think it was when I was encouraged to be myself, rather than focusing on being this amazing leader that was always going before people. The pressure of being ‘all things to all people’ was suffocating. I found that when I was true to myself, I helped create an environment for people to feel comfortable with who they were in church. That really went a long way. I found that some of the best moments of worship would be after a song I’d say, “Let’s pray,” and then just step back from the mic, and we’d all tell God what was on our own mind and heart in that moment.

CCM: You’re hitting the road with Matt Maher this spring. What are you most looking forward to with the pairing? JT: There aren’t too many people I respect out there as much as Matt Maher. I think he’s been one of the most consistent artists in CCM for the last decade. And his latest record Saints & Sinners is a wonderful piece. On top of that, he’s a very genuine person. I’m honored to support him this spring. Personally, I’m really excited because on this tour I’ll have the opportunity to have his band back me on a few to be a lot of fun! songs. That’s a first for me; I’m used to opening up solo. That is going CCM: Beyond what we’ve discussed, what’s one thing you want readers to know about you and your music? JT: I think I’d love for people to know that they can always reach me. One of my favorite parts of what I do is meeting so many people. I guess I’d say that I will always reply—whether it be an email or a and I couldn’t do it without the support such kind people I’ve met alongFacebook the way.message. I don’t I’m consider blessed myself to be able to have to make any fans,music rather for a living,many friends.

www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 REVIEWS