Since its humble beginnings in 1996, Mars Hill has been committed to the philosophy that each local Mars Hill Church would engage the culture in its local surroundings and point people to Jesus. Each Mars Hill band strives to do this with a natural expression and outgrowth of what God is doing in their cities. 

 

In that same vision, the men of Citizens look forward to what God has in store for them in Seattle. Zach Bolen may have never seen himself working in ministry, but we're glad God did.

 

Bolen began working at the Mars Hill U-district campus. He started reconstructing the worship teams that played there, and in the process built a band of his own. Together with Nate Garvey, Adam Skatula, Nathan Furtado, and Tom McConnell, Citizens was created. Born out of Ephesians 2:19; "Citizens" brings to mind every Christian's allegiance to God. 

 

I had the great opportunity to interview Zach Bolen about the catchy and worshipful lead single "Made Alive," the first single from the band's self-titled album.

 

 

That song started as an older song I had written based on Psalm 27. What's odd is how the song is now based on Ephesians 2. I really liked the concept of the song, and thought it would be cool to finish it. I sat down with Pastor Mike Wilkerson and Dr. Justin Holcomb, two guys from our church, Mars Hill in Seattle. They are both theological gatekeepers if you will, and guide a lot of our written content. With us writing more music, we invited them into the writing process as we are speaking into the Church. 

 

We were reading my original song based on Psalm 27, and Pastor Mike stopped me and said the song was based on Old Testament law with the idea of having to go to a place to be with God. I said he was right, and hadn't realized that before. In that process, we landed on Ephesians 2, where it talks about how we are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. 

 

The dwelling place of God isn't a place; He has chosen to dwell in us. We wanted to write a song about us being made alive together in Christ, and a total acknowledgment that it is by the grace of God that we've been saved. That concept unifies all of us in the Church. It is written more from a first-person perspective, but it is something that corporately we can all sing together. It is a truth and a great reminder. We lose our identity and we forget our place where God took us out of our sin and brought us into His saving grace.

Ephesians 2:1: "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins."

 

The band name and this song is based in Ephesians 2:19-22: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."
 

 

We really wanted to write a song that proclaimed the Gospel. In songs we could really hit a lot of different things about how we're going to respond and be moved by God, but we wanted to just proclaim the Gospel with this song. It is something that is preached and we wanted to sing about it. 

 

God made us citizens, and in that He has chosen to abide in us. In song, we're all lead by the same Spirit. We're singing as one body, one family; we're all conjoined together by Christ. Part of the conviction of our band and what we are called to is to proclaim the Gospel. 

 

When you look at Psalm 47, it's a call to clap your hands and shout loud songs of joy and to sing praises! If you look at the passage there are exclamation points throughout the Psalm. It's not "let's just do this thing," it's "we're going to pour everything we have into the worship of Jesus and God." The reason is because He is a great King and He is to be feared. 

 

We want to create a bunch of war anthems. If you were a soldier in war and the General told you we've won and the enemy has been destroyed, go and tell everyone that the enemy has been defeated. You wouldn't just casually tell people, you would go running through the streets, banging on doors and people would want to join in celebrating that victory. It's the same thing with this song. Christ has defeated death, and although we'll experience pain and hardship we have the hope of Jesus that we can cling to. Ultimately, if we are in Christ, we can rejoice in our hope!

 

This worship anthem is just the type of infusion that the Church needs with its honesty and bold lyrics. We serve a God who is much bigger than our struggles. What would your life look like if everything was taken away in this moment? Would Jesus be enough?

 

Corrie ten Boom said, "When we are powerless to do anything, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus." This song challenges us to think about whether we really believe that Jesus will "satisfy my soul when I am heartless." This is an amazing song and really reflects the joy we receive when we don't rely on our own understanding, but instead fully submit ourselves to faithfulness and trust in the ability of Jesus to lift us up no matter our circumstances. 

 

For me, songs like "Made Alive" provide opportunities for God to whisper to me my true identity--not found in what I do or don't do, but in who I am--more importantly to Whom I belong. 

 

What's most impressive is how the catchy songs on this album will have you singing along at the top of your lungs after just a couple of listens. This is the best new worship band I've heard since Delirious, which is absolutely incredible. Just like Delirious, I think Citizens has a great opportunity to reach the lost for the Kingdom of God with their transparent lyrics and incredible musical talent. 

 

The album Citizens completely rocks and is loaded with songs you can proudly share with your friends and family. The themes of this album are to trust God, love Him and love others as He loved us. All of the songs are catchy, exciting and worshipful. After listening to the album, I am stirred with compassion to love people as Jesus loves us. That's the heart behind this album. Thank you, Citizens, and Mars Hill Music, for blessing us with your music and for singing the Truth of the Gospel for the Kingdom of God.

 

"Made Alive" is the type of song I wish I was singing at my church right now. The song boldly declares a statement of faith: "I once was dead in sin alone and hopeless / A child of wrath I walked condemned in darkness / But Your mercy brought new life and in Your love and kindness / Raised me up with Christ and made me righteous." 

 

This song encourages me and is one of the most inspirational songs I've ever heard. What an exciting thought that all suffering and hurt will be left behind and one day glory will be revealed in us through Christ. This song is a great reminder that one day "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 

 

As we reflect on the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus this week for Easter, know that "My sin has been erased / I'll never be the same." Amen to that!

 

(You can watch the music video here.)