Elevation Worship continues to capture the hearts of listeners who want to praise God with passion. Hallelujah Here Below, the band’s latest album, evokes even more passion so listeners can lift their hands and hearts to God with praise. Elevation Worship is based out of Elevation Church, a multisite church based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. We recently caught up with Chris Brown from Elevation Worship to talk about Hallelujah Here Below and what the future holds. What's the overall message of this album and what do you hope that it accomplishes?

I think too often we feel like we have to have it all together, and clean ourselves up before coming into God’s presence. We wonder what He could possibly want with our messy, dysfunctional lives. Because, after all, He’s got a chorus of angels worshipping Him, singing endless and perfect praises around his throne in heaven day and night. And yet, I believe our King still loves the sound of the hallelujahs that come from broken, imperfect, but redeemed people here on earth. Our prayer is that this album would be a gate into His presence that helps usher in an atmosphere of worship in our lives.
With this new album, how has Elevation Worship evolved as a band?

I believe we're evolving season over season with the rhythms of what God is doing in and through our church. Our hope is that this album reflects not only the message of our ministry, but the unified sound of our people. 

How has Elevation's congregation responded to the songs on the new album?

You know, our church is full of the kindest, most passionate people. But, sometimes I wonder if they’re just being kind to us when we introduce new songs (joke). They’ll sing and worship their hearts out to just about anything (I’m only kidding a little). But, in all seriousness, I think the songs that God’s given us over the past year and a half are truly some of the most personal and significant ones we’ve written. Our church has responded so well to the messages in these songs, and there have been some pretty remarkable breakthroughs and healing in our times of worship while singing them. 
Talk about a few of the singles from Hallelujah Here Below.

There’s so many songs that hold a special place for me on this album. But as usual, there’s a few that standout more than others. “Won’t Stop Now” opens the album because it’s a call to worship, setting the tone for what’s to follow. But, I love it because it’s also a song of action and faith believing that our best days are ahead of us, and what God has planned for us is immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. 

“Here Again” would be a contender for the most personal song that was written on this album. It’s even hard to put down in words where a song like this one came from and what it means to the listener. But, I hope it brings about the awareness of God’s presence in our everyday lives, and awakens us to the reality that we're carriers of God’s presence. And, I have to mention, “Echo”, too—this song is so fun in church. And, with Tauren Wells singing it, I just want to hit repeat over and over. 
  What does the future of Elevation Worship look like?

Elevation Worship will always be champions of the Church, and of what God is doing in and through it. More than anything else, we just want to be obedient to living out our callings and playing the part He’s given us right now to serve others through music. I hope we get to continue seeing that happen for decades to come. But, for the more immediate future, we’re currently touring through the fall and spring, on the east and west coast. We’re excited about these new songs and want to share them with as many people as we can. 

How can people be praying for Elevation Worship?

Thank you for asking. Our prayer is that we’ll continue seeing and taking opportunities to serve God’s Church in any capacity He asks of us. I think one of our strengths now is that we’re committed to serving in our local church and seeing God mature us as individuals, and as servants and leaders here. Before we put on a label of songwriters or artists, we just want to continue loving God and loving others. Thank you for your ongoing prayer with us in that.