For the Dove-Award winning group MercyMe, “Welcome to the New” is more than just the title of their latest album.
The album provides a collection of songs that celebrate new life in Christ and the theme is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
Lead singer Bart Millard said, “From the beginning to end the whole premise of this record is identity in Christ.”
Unconditional love
“As people are listening to these songs our desire is that the message of the gospel resonates with people and helps them realize that God loves them unconditionally and is calling them to pursue a personal relationship with Him. During concerts we emphasize that salvation is not based on works but what Christ has already done on the cross.
“There is nothing anyone can do to make God love them more than He already does. All you have to do is accept His invitation and respond by resting in the finished work of the cross.
New creation
“It’s a shame to meet people who refuse to respond to the message of the cross, but it’s just as tragic to meet people who claim to know Jesus but still feel like they are in bondage. From the moment you receive Christ you are a brand new creation. When your identity is found in Christ there is freedom. For all past, present and future sins, Christ already says redeemed.”
Through their message and music, band members desire to connect audiences to the life-changing love of Christ.
“God has really placed on our hearts the importance of sharing messages about grace and identity,” Millard said. “It’s the simplicity of the gospel and who you are in Christ — realizing why you can show grace to other people because grace has been shown to you.”
This summer, MercyMe toured across the country to promote the album and shared stories behind the songs.
Following their “Welcome to the New” tour MercyMe plans to limit their concert schedule by performing only 50 dates throughout the year.
“While addressing the subject of identity, the Lord has been reminding me that my identity is not wrapped up in MercyMe,” Millard said. “Being in the group is one of the ways that the Lord has given me a platform to speak truth into people’s lives and present the gospel but it is not the only way to get the message out.
“During this season we have recognized the importance of cutting back our touring schedule so we can focus on being better husbands and fathers. However, God is still giving us opportunities to be a voice and share the gospel through music.”
While embracing and embarking on a new season in life Millard recently accepted a position at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., where he will serve as the director of a new program launching this fall at the Center for Worship Arts.
“A lot of musicians either go to college as a backup plan or skip it all together,” Millard noted. “I mentioned the idea of creating a program that would encourage musicians to earn a bachelor’s degree and come out not only more equipped from a business standpoint but would also allow them to become more equipped by who they are in Christ.
“The goal is to raise up a generation of students and help them learn the Christian music industry inside and out before they become a full-time worship leader or recording artist. Basically I’ll be sharing everything that I learned the hard way over the past 20 years.”
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