After nearly 30 years in the industry, in many ways Don Moen is starting over. In 2007, with over 20 years experience as a songwriter, producer, and executive at Integrity Music, Moen resigned. He began a new venture, Don Moen & Friends Productions, a platform from which he hosts Don Moen & Friends, a weekly radio program, as well as online podcasts and worldwide worship events, most recently in India, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and Ghana. Uncharted Territory, his first record in three years, almost didn't happen. His resignation resulted in some strained and severed friendships and business relationships, and a period of personal doubt which caused him to lose the desire to write songs or sing. Eventually, he found his voice again, used Kickstarter and the support of friends and listeners to fund the project, and formed a partnership with in:ciite media to release it.

 

Moen’s prayer for the songs on Uncharted Territory is that they will “help people offer sincere praise to God, even in the most difficult situations.” So, with a project born out of his own period of darkness, Moen seeks to offer hope to others who find themselves in a similar place.

The title track, “Uncharted Territory,” is a confessional inspired by Psalm 137 that speaks about feeling lost and afraid while surrounded by darkness and chaos. While the verses are questioning, “Where are you, Lord?” the choruses remember what God has already accomplished, asking Him to “teach me how to pray / teach me how to praise / even in the darkness / teach me how to sing your song.” The theme of finding refuge in God continues with “You Will Be My Song,” which reminds us that God is always with us and will always provide.

 

On the vulnerable “Somebody’s Praying for Me,” Moen explores the power of prayer. He writes about a time when his faith was shaken and he grappled with not knowing how to pray or praise. But suddenly he felt bolstered, and he intuitively understood that it was the prayers of others that were holding him up.

 

The upbeat “Great Things” is energized by the inclusion of a Celtic fiddle and bouncy drums. Lyrically, it is a straight praise song: “You alone have done great things / I can’t boast of anything / Mighty One and King of Kings, Jesus.” With a sing-along refrain, this song is sure to be a favorite.

 

“You stay the same through the ages / Your love never changes / There may be pain in the night / but joy comes in the morning.” So Moen sings of God’s unchanging love on “Your Love Never Fails.” The remake of this Bethel Worship songs is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and it should provide comfort and assurance to many.

 

“Lord Have Mercy” is a prayer set to music. For those who are brokenhearted, ashamed, afraid, failing, hurt, and otherwise struggling, Moen entreats, “We lift a song in the light of our need / For You are able always in all things / And in this moment, we fall at Your feet / Lord, have mercy.”

 

Appropriately, Moen follows “Lord Have Mercy” with a pair of songs that touch on the merciful sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. First comes, “Ransomed,” a worship song celebrating Jesus, who “made a way for me to enter in.” It’s significant that the lyrics speak of Jesus’ ransom in both past and present tense, because the Savior continues to save us today as He did on Calvary.

The emotional “Divine Exchange” asks us to visualize the crucifixion with lines like “Oh, hear the scoffer mocking / See the Savior’s tears,” and at the same time give thanks for the “divine exchange” that the cross embodies. In an interview, Moen explained the exchange like this: “Jesus took everything bad intended for us and gave us everything good that was given to Him as the Son of God.”

 

While differing musically, thematically the next two songs feel like Moen’s personal Psalms. “My Portion You Will Ever Be” and “No Fear” both employ biblical language to underscore that God will always provide for and protect us. A brief analysis of “No Fear” uncovers words from verses in Psalms 27, 43, and 119, as well as Isaiah 43. As support for the argument that with God on our side we have nothing to fear, nothing is more effective than looking to God’s word. “No Fear” even concludes with a recitation of Psalm 23.

 

Moen sings about the unconditionality of Christ’s love on “He Loves You.” The tune is fittingly simple and sweet: “He loves you, just because He loves you.” Moen follows this number about grace and love with a tune of thanksgiving, “Thank You, Jesus.” The Motown feel of the musical arrangement, complete with Hammond organ, is very enjoyable. Don’t be misled, though; Moen’s vocal are decidedly more James Taylor than Stevie Wonder.

 

Uncharted Territory closes with “Burn,” Moen’s impassioned plea to God to deepen his love and faith. “Burn away my virtues,” he sings. “May there just be You in me.” This line resonates with me. We often like to think of virtues as redeeming qualities we have developed or refined in ourselves. But Moen reminds us that even these good pieces of us are actually God. And with “Burn,” he recognizes that, in the end, the only thing of eternal significance is God, so he asks the Lord, “Write me into Your great story.” 

 

With Uncharted Territory, veteran Don Moen presents an album of hope for the broken, lost, and hurting. Musically, the album may not appeal to all. This collection of songs is more suited to inspirational radio than pop. It’s not the kind of material you’ll find yourself sliding into the CD player of your car on a road trip. Instead, it’s a record you’ll pull out on a night when you seek shelter from the storms of life. You’ll find comfort, hope, and the unfailing love of Jesus, a Friend with no equal. This is what the artist sought to accomplish with this project, and since the album leads the listener into the arms of the Lord, Don Moen should consider it a success!