Passion’s goal: Worship songs rooted in Scripture

Passion’s goal: Worship songs rooted in Scripture

Passion’s Brett Younker acknowledges that it sounds daunting to release a new worship album each year as the band has done since 2010. 

“It does sound a little crazy,” Younker said, “but we have amazing teams of people that help do all of it.”

But Younker has another eye-opening surprise — he and his bandmates write many songs that don’t make the cut.  

‘Best of the best’

“What we’re actually getting down to for the album is the best of the best,” Younker said. 

Passion’s latest worship album, the 10-song “Follow You Anywhere,” was released in January and set a band record its first week with 2.6 million digital streams.  

The band is an outgrowth of the Passion movement, founded by Louie and Shelley Giglio. Passion held its first annual conference in 1997 for college students and young people ages 18–25. Roughly 40,000 people attended this year’s conferences.

The band, like other worship groups, is a conglomeration of many voices. Younker is the lead voice for one song (“Lift Up Jesus”), although the album features other lead voices too, including Kristian Stanfill and Melodie Malone. Sean Curran and Crowder also contribute. 

Passion’s primary goal is to connect young people to Christ through songs with solid theology, Younker said. The band’s message to students is this: “You were made for one purpose and that’s to live for the glory of God.”

“We want songs that are rooted in Scripture while at the same time expressing the emotion and the ebbs and flows and the ups and downs of our lives,” Younker said. “I want to sing about what’s true and I want to declare that and hold on to that. I want to exalt God and whatever could help move my heart to do that … I just want to connect with Jesus.”

The album’s title track, “Follow You Anywhere,” mirrors this songwriting strategy, Younker said.

“It really embodies the whole heartbeat and message of Passion, which is that Jesus is the One who’s ultimately going to satisfy our souls. He’s worth following.”

EDITOR’S NOTE — Michael Foust covers the intersection of faith and entertainment as a media reviewer for The Alabama Baptist. He also is the husband of an amazing wife and the father of four young children.