Killings in church congregation inspire new Jared Anderson album

WORSHIP artist Jared Anderson has his second Integrity Music album, 'Where Faith Comes From', released in May. A member of the Desperation Band, Anderson's new solo album was produced by Brent Milligan (David Crowder Band, The Elms). Anderson is an associate pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, and is the composer of songs such as "Amazed", "Rescue" and "Promises" that are sung in churches around the world. After suffering the devastation of a scandal in 2006, the New Life Church was hit by tragedy late last year when a young gunman opened fire at the church, killing two before taking his own life. These events challenged the church and Anderson, but left both strengthened and more determined in their commitment to Christ. Said Anderson, "Faith comes from every season and no one expressed that more eloquently than David in his Psalms. I hope that my record helps people take their eyes off what is seen and fix them on what is unseen."

Throughout the album Anderson reminds listeners that faith is found in the midst of the good and the bad. He said, "The typical demonstration of our devotion to God is to throw a party. As a church, we just haven't felt like doing that, haven't felt like delivering some huge, 'Jesus-makes-you-a-winner message.' There is no more positive message than the Gospel, of course, but we had to dig deeper and to ask, 'What do I do here in the not-knowing part?'." The songs on 'Where Faith Comes From' are Anderson's personal answers to the question. "It's like you're driving down the road in the fog, and you can't even see the line. . . To have faith is to continue driving."