Kari Jobe uses worship songs to lead audiences to ‘feet of Jesus’

Kari Jobe uses worship songs to lead audiences to ‘feet of Jesus’

With praise songs such as “Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)” being nominated for Worship Song of the Year at the 2015 Dove Awards, Kari Jobe is one of the most powerful voices in contemporary Christian music.

Recognized for the influence she is making on congregations around the globe, Jobe also was nominated for the prestigious honor of 2015 Dove Artist of the Year.

Despite the accolades and awards, Jobe keeps her focus on Christ and remains committed to ushering worshippers to the throne of God.

“I consider it a great honor and a great responsibility to be leading people in worship, but it’s not about me or my desires,” Jobe acknowledged.

“It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to be at work and me stepping out of the way. I’m just a vessel that God is using during this season to draw people closer to Him. I don’t care what song I sing if the heart of it is that people fall more in love with Jesus and they understand the heart of God for them.”

More personal worship

With her new album, “Majestic (Revisited),” Jobe hopes to encourage and equip worshippers. The songs on this album are designed to remind worshippers to dwell in the beauty and majesty of God’s presence. The album is re-imagined for a more personal worship style with all the songs from her highly acclaimed and Dove Award-winning live album “Majestic,” which won worship album of the year in 2014.

Over the past few years, Jobe’s songs have become a staple among contemporary worship services and listed in the top 25 of most popular songs sung in churches today.

While leading worship for church services, women’s conferences and other ministry events, Jobe hopes to inspire audiences to press into God’s truths.

“I want to help people connect with God and help them understand His heart for us,” Jobe said. “Music can be a powerful way to minister to people in times of trouble — to lead them to the feet of Jesus who can bring peace, life, hope and healing. I’ve really been impacted to write songs that someone could sing to the Lord during challenging times, even when they can’t find the right words on their own.

“During those times, I pray that these songs will encourage and remind people that nothing can separate us from the love of God and there is nothing that He can’t handle. He is the ultimate source of comfort, strength and protection.

“It’s especially important for students to hear that message and know the truth of what God proclaims, because they are up against such a battle with the lies of this world.”

Jobe accepted Christ at a young age and says her teenage years played a pivotal role in drawing her closer to the Lord. She began leading worship when she was 13 years old.

“I was always in church growing up,” Jobe said. “When I was a teenager, I started growing in my relationship with God and realized that He wanted a relationship with me. I realized that I couldn’t just latch onto my parents’ faith and belief in Christ, I had to make my own decision to follow Him as well.

“I started to understand what that meant and looked like. I’m very thankful that I finally got that revelation. I really don’t see myself any differently than when I was just starting out and leading worship. The only difference is now when I open my eyes, there’s a few more people worshipping God with me.”

Overcoming through worship

Today Jobe uses her music and message to help raise awareness for missions organizations such as the A21 Campaign, which focuses on abolishing human trafficking in the 21st Century. While touring around the country, Jobe encourages audiences to take action and combat human trafficking with the gospel.

“I have such a desire to go to war for people’s lives and to help them overcome the enemy through their worship and declaring the greatness of our God,” Jobe said. “I get so mad at the enemy, especially for the lies he feeds to teenage girls and women about their self-worth. I want them to understand how deeply God loves them and how His redeeming love can rescue them out of their darkness.

“Worship has always been such a place of rescue and refuge in my life, and it also brings reflection and restoration. Worship provides such a beautiful picture of what heaven might be like [as we’re] singing praises to our Creator. My desire is to help people fall more in love with Jesus, glorifying Him through these songs and magnifying the name of Jesus above all names.”