Nobody does tours like NewSong. Since introducing the annual Winter Jam Tour Spectacular in 1995, the band has transformed the public face of Christian music. This mega-event on wheels has become one of the biggest annual tours in gospel music, bringing history-making moments along the way. Through multi-artist, ticketless concerts, Winter Jam has allowed thousands to experience incredible music while hearing the Gospel message.
 
If you attended Winter Jam this year, you may have heard two powerful worship anthems: “I Am a Christian” and “Church People.” These songs are bold declarations of faith, delivered with passion and prayerful lyrics. They invite listeners into a moment of celebration and worship, lifting up King Jesus. At Winter Jam in Reading, Pennsylvania, I spoke with Russ Lee about the inspiration behind “Church People.”
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
 
We wanted to write a song that would work at Winter Jam and encourage people to be free in celebrating their faith. As we entered a writing session, I thought about the context of when I would ask that at Winter Jam. The context is that there’s freedom in Christ. He has set us free. I wanted to provoke that sense of freedom. Here we are. We have every reason to celebrate.
 
At Winter Jam, I always ask from the stage, “Where’s my no doubt about it, church people?” Songwriter Eddie Carswell told me one day, “We should write that song.” I said, “What song?” He said, “You always say, 'where my church people at?'"
 
I am excited in my heart and soul about the times we are living in. Although the enemies of the church are well-defined, the opportunity for the church is greater than ever. The lines seem more clearly defined than I’ve seen in my lifetime. If there’s ever been a time for the church to be seen and heard lovingly, this is the time.
 
The song talks about how it doesn’t matter where you come from or which size church you attend; the song is about community and faith.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
 
Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV): “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
 
Deuteronomy 31:6 (HCSB): "Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. The Lord your God goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you."
 
Romans 8:37 (NLT): "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
 
Psalm 122:1 (ESV): Let us go to the House of the Lord. A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
 
Psalm 33:3 (VOICE): "Sing to Him a new song; play each the best way you can, and don't be afraid to be bold with your joyful feelings."
 
Psalm 66:1-3 (NKJV): “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works. Through the greatness of Your power, Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.’”
 
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT): “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”
 
Proverbs 18:24 (NIV): "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
 
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV): "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, because of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you can test and approve God's will—His good, pleasing, and perfect will."
 
Hebrews 11:40 (NIV): "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be perfect."
 
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV): "For we walk by faith, not sight."
 
What is the takeaway message?
 
“Church People” is about rallying your faith and watching God's actions. Are you a committed Christian? Are you showing your faith? Are you not ashamed of the gospel? Celebrate the community, joy, and freedom that you are a Christian as a joint heir with Jesus Christ. It is powerful and sustains you.
 
The Church was started by a group of people in an upper room. I wanted to ignite the Church in a meaningful way—to reach across denominational lines and anything separating us from each other as Christians and identify as God’s people. We are God’s family. We’ve been justified and adopted into His family. That’s who church people are.
 
People like you and me who can’t believe that we’ve been set free. We are not in bondage anymore.
 
Lyrics
 
Big, big city, small town
Hands held high; the walls fall down
If your heart's on fire if He's changed your life
Let the whole world know it, time to testify
 
So, come on, come on, come on, come on, tell me
Come on, come on, let me ask you this
 
Church people, church people, where you at?
Hold your hands up high like it's a matter of fact
If you love my Jesus and you won't hold back
Tell me right now, where my church people at?
 
Sunday morning, I can't wait
The people of God gonna celebrate
All my brothers and my sisters who've been changed like me
Know there's power in the blood, it'll set you free
 
So, come on, come on, come on, come on, tell me
 
Church people, church people, where you at?
Hold your hands up high like it's a matter of fact
If you love my Jesus and you won't hold back
Tell me right now, where my church people at?
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It's people like you and people like me
Who can't believe that we've been set free
Forever saved and forever changed
It's who we are, unashamed
It's people like you and people like me (People like you, people like me)
Who can't believe that we've been set free (Set free)
Forever saved and forever changed (Forever saved)
It's who we are, unashamed
(Yeah)
 
Church people, church people, where you at?
Hold your hands up high like it's a matter of fact
If you love my Jesus and you won't hold back
Tell me right now, where my church people at?
Church people, church people, where you at?
Hold your hands up high like it's a matter of fact
If you love my Jesus and you won't hold back
Tell me right now, where my church people at?
 
Closing Thoughts
 
“Church People” is infectious and reflects the joy we experience when we do not rely solely on our own understanding but instead fully trust in God's ability to lift us up, regardless of our circumstances. Jesus calls us to depend on Him and the power of His resurrection, reminding us that He has overcome death and fear. We can all say hallelujah and celebrate these truths together while singing along with this song. Our true joy comes from our relationship with Jesus. One of the lessons I've learned about life is that we should not wait to fix ourselves before stepping out of faith. We need to place our full trust in God.
 
Since I became a follower of Jesus, I understand better that success for Christians is defined differently than the world’s definition. Many Christians, including myself, struggle with the issue of holding onto our dreams and expectations while allowing God to show us what He wants for us. Instead of living in fear, we need to proclaim in faith, “Church people, church people, where you at?/Hold your hands up high like it's a matter of fact/If you love my Jesus and you won't hold back/Tell me right now, where my church people at?”
 
As Proverbs 18:10 says, God’s name is a strong tower. We can call out for Jesus, and He will keep us safe. This is a truth for believers to cling to. We are not meant to simply hope it is true or turn to the Lord as our last resort, but to be washed daily by the truth of the Word of God. If we learn to build our lives on Scripture, we will have a rock as our foundation while navigating life. We can know for a fact that the words of this song are true: “It's people like you and people like me/Who can't believe that we've been set free/Forever saved and forever changed/It's who we are, unashamed.”
 
I take great solace in knowing the truth of Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV): "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." I love that every translation of these wise words encourages believers to "run" to the name of the Lord. Amid any pain you are experiencing, run to Jesus. This song represents a statement of faith. Righteousness was credited to Abraham because of his faith. We need to possess the faith that the Bible describes in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV): "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
 
When you sing, do you do so in complete submission or simply sing the words? The song's sentiment represents something the global church can hold onto and proclaim loudly. In surrender, we raise our hands to celebrate His goodness. We can confidently lift our hands to God, knowing His mercy is unfailing. His love is everlasting. He is our refuge and our strength. God's ultimate will isn’t to bring affliction but to restore us so that we may experience His boundless love. I enjoy singing this song back to Jesus and expressing to Him plainly that I need no one other than Him. Amen to that.