The refining fires New Life Church in Colorado Springs has passed through in the past several years are all too well known. They’ve come through spiritual attack in a widely publicized scandal as well as violent, physical attack in the form of a shooting that claimed the lives of two members. Following directly on the heels of that shooting they came together as a body to record a live offering of worship to the Lord – Counting on God. Their resolve to stand on God’s promises, embrace total dependence on Him while praising His holy name forms a blazing beacon piercing the darkness that threatened to envelop their family of worshipers.
Counting on God is nothing less than a full-blown, live worship experience. Filled with the spirit of God and his peoples ecstatic praises, listeners are irresistibly drawn into communion with their creator through repeating choruses, lyrics and melodies that are simple to learn yet deeply moving. Followers of Jesus world-wide will be lifted by song after song that focuses eyes upon the character of God, His utter dependability, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His is goodness.
Opening with the contagious, energetic anthem “Counting on God”, the cat-calls, whistles, and worship pastor Ross Parsley’s calls to the crowd combined with solid electric guitar and rhythm give the impression of a live rock concert. It soon becomes evident that this is so much more. Followed by “Solid Rock”, a frenetic tune that’s enough to send my children up the wall with intense scrambling activity; we need to skip this one at home. Wrapping up the initial trio of energy-raising tunes is “Mighty King of Love”, set apart from The Desperation Band’s normative sound by a distinctive R&B, rock fusion.
Following the power trio, the focus shifts to beautifully contemplative, upward seeking songs as the band opens with as they settle into worship. “Glorified” marks this transition with a soaring chorus declaring, “I’ve come to worship, I’ve come to lift up Your name.” The last half of the album, starting with the tear-inducing and comparatively light instrumental accompaniment “Unfailing God” begins to blend together in an otherworldly communion with God. The songs begin to blend together in a never-ending heart-cry of adoration.
Article comments
1 - Charley
Great review! I have been hooked on New Life's music ever since they led worship at GMA Week in Nashville 2 years ago, right after the scandal. I had a chance to meet some of the band members and they are among the most humble musicians I have met.
I look forward to reading more of your writing!
2 - Jennifer Bogart
Thank you Charley, for your kind comments and for chiming in with your own experiences. In the brief video footage I've watched they come across as very humble, I love that in musicians - there's such temptation to go the other way.