The heart of this project is all about connecting the good news of Jesus to our everyday lives. It has almost become cliche to say that "the gospel changes everything", but it is so profoundly true. When the cross becomes the lens through which we see the world around us, we start to understand what Paul is saying when he says in 2nd Corinthians 6 "We are treated as impostors, yet are genuine. We are dying, yet we live. We are sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. We are poor, yet making many rich. We have nothing, yet possess everything.
"It's all paradoxical, and makes no sense outside of the saving work of Jesus. It's incredible that God would step into our world to rescue us, heal us, adopt us, and clothe us in His righteousness... That he would take our brokenness and failures and change us into something new and good... and that he would do it by dying our death, defeating it in His resurrection and inviting us to join him.
It's stunningly beautiful and compels us to fall on our knees in surrender tothe one true King, not as coerced subjects but as people who are rescued and redeemed. When this becomes our story, when this becomes our song, it truly does change the way we see the world around us and how we engage with it. This EP (In All Things) isall about becoming awakened to that reality.
We tried to capture this idea in the phrase (and now title song) "In All Things, Jesus". We use this phrase a lot at our home church to be a summation of this idea that the gospel changes everything about us and how we engage with everyone around us. These past two years since our debut release have been a fantastic season of spiritual and creative growth for us as a band. Lydia, Jorge, Steve, and I serve each week at our respective churches and through that are learning just how to live in this reality. We are desperate for God's grace and love daily.
That's where the songs on this project were born. We celebrate the gospel, and then we are healed again by it, then we celebrate it some more. We hope that listeners experience this cycle in their own lives. Further, we pray that people can hear the gospel message threaded throughout these six songs and that it encourages and strengthens them in the Lord.
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Worship Meets Pop| Posted June 20, 2017
Originating in Somerset, Kentucky, People Of The Earth is comprised of Dustin Fenison (vocals, guitar), Lydia Laird (vocals, keys), Stephen Hampton (guitars) and Jorge Lopez Jr. (drums). Their debut self-titled album, released in 2015, put them on the map in the worship community with producer Aaron Rice and a partnership with Vital Worship.
Now with their follow-up EP In All Things, People Of The Earth is more excited than ever before about sharing the good news of Jesus with anyone who will listen, helping connect it to our everyday lives. "We are desperate for God's grace and love daily. That's where the songs on this project were born. We celebrate the gospel, and then we are healed again by it, then we celebrate it some more," the band says about the new project.
POTE's version of the recent North Point InsideOut hit "Death Was Arrested" kicks off the album with captivating harmonies that draw the listener in and create an anthemic spirit of praise. The upbeat title track declares the victory, hope and freedom we have in Jesus, much like previously released "That's Who Jesus Is," a song that powerfully lays out the story of Christ: "There was a cross on a hill and forgiveness had a name / holy blood that was spilled to cover sin and shame / there was a stone He rolled away as He walked out of that grave / now we have victory in Him / that's who Jesus is."
Worshipful "All Belongs To You" follows, a definite highlight on the EP with its meaningful lyrical depth: "You gave Your life away / our hope is in Your name, our redemption in Your scars." Closing out the album, high energy tracks "Wake Up My Soul" and "You Change Me" will easily get stuck in your head with their infectious pop vibes.
The Bottom Line: With In All Things, People Of The Earth walks the line between worship leading and pop, handling both sides with creativity and quality. Well-produced sonic moments meet with beautiful lyrics and elegant vocals to craft an EP sure to be counted as a success for this band with a promising future ahead.
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