Nineties Worship Night is a movement created by husband and wife worship leaders Chad and Karen Gentry. In addition to releasing their new album Break Through the Stars, Nineties Worship Night brand includes a docuseries, podcast, record label, and more.
Break Through the Stars reimagines a curated collection of some of the most powerful worship songs from the 1990s, performed by well-known artists, including original SONICFLOOD lead singer Jeff Deyo, Lenny LeBlanc, Brenton Brown, Lindell Cooley, Charlie Hall (with backing vocals from Christy Nockels), and Lisa Nicole, along with critically acclaimed newcomer Kim Gentry Meyer, and more.
Here's a breakdown of Nineties Worship Night's new album Break Through the Stars--song by song, told in the words of the group themselves.
"House Of The Lord (Joy In The House)" - featuring Rodney Douglas Jr.
Rodney: Nineties Worship Night asked me to feature on a cover of the song "House Of The Lord" by the late Danny Chambers for their Break Through the Stars studio compilation album. Upon agreeing to participate, I collaborated with music producer Jesse David on a new bridge for the song making this new recording a derivative of the original.
It was a joy contributing to this project while honoring the legacy of Danny Chambers. My prayer is that this song and new recording will inspire the next generation.
"All Who Are Thirsty (Break Through The Stars)" - featuring Jeff Deyo
Jeff: It's such an honor to participate in bringing this beloved nineties worship song forward to a new generation. It touched so many people all over the world, and now, with the new bridge I wrote, it's going to encourage a whole new generation of worshipers and Christ followers.
So many people today feel like they're in a desert, but this song speaks to God's heart in offering Himself as a spring in the desert, a refreshing river of Living Water that comes to touch us when least expected. Let all who are thirsty come and drink and be strengthened in the presence of the Lord.
"Take My Life" - featuring David Guerrero and Scott Underwood
Scott: "Take My Life" was written in probably five minutes--the quickest song the Lord ever gave me. It also became the most well-known to the Body of Christ. I am humbly amazed at how God works.
Many years ago, while attending a men's retreat, I was sitting by a lake while my friend was fishing (he was an avid fisherman and musician). He brought his fishing gear and his guitar to the lakeside. My friend gave me one of his fishing poles and we fished. I'm not an enthusiastic fisherman and spent maybe ten minutes waiting for a bite. Lakeside fishing is quite the test of patience and I got bored quickly.
While my friend fished, I picked up his guitar. I'm not one to play songs around a campfire or anything--I'm too shy. But that day I strummed and the Lord poured into me. He poured into me an expression of the longing in my heart. A longing that is still as strong as it was by the lake over 30 years ago.
I'm on a lifelong journey of learning to know Jesus more intimately and to daily give Him my all. It's my prayer that this new recording of "Take My Life" will be a heartfelt cry, sung with true intent to daily follow Jesus.
Lord, holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness are what I need. So would you take my heart and form it, take my mind and transform it, and take my will and conform it to Yours.
"Above All/There Is None Like You" - featuring Lenny LeBlanc
Lenny: As a songwriter, I've always looked for ways to convey my love for God but more importantly His love for us. He was above all but as Philippians 2:7-9 says, He gave His all for us.
"Give Us Clean Hands" - featuring Charlie Hall
Charlie: O God, let us be a generation that seeks. In 1994, I was a young college student and had only been following Jesus for a few years. One of my practices was to sing the psalms as a form of prayer, meditation, and memorization. Alone one morning, I approached Psalm 24 to pray and meditate. I pulled out my guitar and sang and prayed through the passage.
There was one section that raised itself in my prayer time. I prayed to be a prayerful people, help from the spirit of God, purity, and a return to God being placed ultimately over and over as the primary place of affection, hope, and life. I was a part of, and praying for, a generation that would seek the face of God alone. A desire for revival and renewal of hearts burned in us.
"O God let us be a generation that seeks the face of God." This is a cry and a longing God gave his people several thousand years ago. I stumbled across it as a young college student. And even these days I cry it out. But I cry it out pointedly to the God of Jacob. The God of the wrestlers, the scrappers, the limping men and women, the ones who lean on their stories, where despite themselves, God kept them and preserved them, and is giving them the grace to travel through this world. The church needs renewal and revival and this song from Psalm 24 will be a marker to keep praying for it.
"Just To Be Close To You" - featuring Lisa Nicole
Lisa: I was so honored to be asked to record this song for the Nineties Worship Night Break Through the Stars album. Fred Hammond is truly one of my favorites, and I spent a lot of time on my knees to the original song.
I hope you vibe with the new version. I pray it encourages you to take time out and "Just Be Close" to the One who longs to be close to YOU.
"Refiner's Fire" - featuring Brenton Brown
Brenton: Held gently within this beautiful and timeless melody is one of the most dangerous prayers a person can pray: purify my heart. Make it ever new. Even now. Even today Jesus, would you bring the gold out in me and burn off the dross? It scares me just writing it down.
It reminds me of an Annie Dillard quote, "It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats... to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets." But for those brave enough to pray these words, the rewards are literally out of this world. And if there was ever a melody to help you pray these words, it surely is this one. Thank you, Brian, for writing such a beautiful song. Make us more like Jesus.
"Breathe" - featuring Kim Gentry Meyer
Kim: "Breathe" has always been one of my favorite songs to lead and sing. The beautiful simplicity of crying out to the Lord for our very breath is so powerful. And when I heard Marie Barnett talk about writing the song out of grief and utter dependence on the Lord to get her through a dark season, I felt even more connected to the song. It's a song I believe will always endure, and it's very special to have covered it on the Break Through the Stars album.
"Grace Flows Down/We Fall Down" - featuring Daniel Doss
Daniel: In the late 90s, I was a college student and music/youth director at a small church. I also led worship for our Thursday night Baptist Collegiate ministry service. Our Sunday service at church and our Thursday service were vastly different. One consisted of songs 25 years old or older, and one consisted of songs written within the past 25 months. It was glaringly obvious this young (my) generation desired new songs to sing to God.
During that season, the Passion movement began and fanned a flame in so many people my age, breathing new life into the Kingdom through fresh songs and worship style. "Grace Flows Down" and "We Fall Down" were hallmark songs of that movement. This project is a great reminder of what God did in that decade and what God desires to do in the decades that follow. I pray this project propels us forward into rich expressions of worship for generations to come, encouraging new songs to be written and lives of fervent Jesus followers being fostered. I am honored to be a part of this project and produce this medley that is so deeply connected to the formative years of my faith and ministry.
"Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?" - featuring Jeffrey Enochs
Jeffrey: I had the honor of recording the song "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble" by Martin Smith of the band Delirious?. As a young worship leader, I was impacted greatly by the worship style of Martin Smith. His passion and freedom changed the way I lead worship. This song encompasses the feeling I had at that time and the resurrection of real worship that I am experiencing today.
"Hungry" - featuring Kelsi Craig
Kelsi: As someone who was born and raised in the 90s, I vividly recall hearing "Hungry" on the radio and at my church. It stands out as one of the defining worship songs of that decade. Being invited to contribute a cover for this project is truly an honor. I am thrilled for everyone to experience this album.
"Days Of Elijah" - featuring Jasmin Foreman and Nashville Worship Collective
Will of Nashville Worship Collective: This rendition of Robin Mark's song "Days of Elijah" resonated with the call to rise up. The title itself references the prophet Elijah, known for his unwavering faith in the face of adversity. Working on this track reminded me of the enduring hope found in Jesus today.
Jasmin Foreman's (my daughter) vocals powerfully encourage believers to hold fast to their faith, spread hope, and rise up. This entire Nineties Worship Night project brings back memories of the worship songs from the 90s that spoke of finding freedom through forgiveness and resting in the Lord's presence, even amidst the challenges of this world. These songs expressed our anticipation of Christ's return, which will bring ultimate restoration.
"Better Than" - featuring Casey Corum and Chad and Karen Gentry
Casey: "Better Than" is one of those songs that came to me in a moment. The song was written in about 15 minutes. It's always been an important song to me expressing the idea that our words are too weak to properly convey how wonderful the Lord is.
I'm so honored to have 'Better Than" included on the Break Through the Stars project. I love the fact that this song has a new life 30 years after it was written.
"The Heart Of Worship" - featuring David Guerrero
David: "The Heart Of Worship" is a song that always brings me back to the cross. It's the kind of song from the first verse that makes me feel like I can be completely vulnerable and transparent in my walk with Christ. Yes, I have failed, Lord, but I'll give you all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Yes, all big gestures are great, but Lord, you only want me. You want me where I'm at.
Sometimes we feel we need to be in a certain place for God to use us or even deal with us. But this song is my cry when I'm beat up mentally, spiritually, and just broke. It takes me back to the beginning. I guess I would call it my reset button.
I remember getting my old SONICFLOOD CD in college, putting that song on repeat, listening to it over and over again, and asking God to speak new life in me and to show me what He wants me to see! I'd listen and focus on God asking Him to show up, and He never failed to show up! So the moment Chad, the creator of Nineties Worship Night, asked me about songs to sing on this album, there was absolutely no hesitation to have "The Heart of Worship" come out of my voice!
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