The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) together with other partners in the Climate Vigil Movement are excited about today’s release of a major new worship album called “Climate Vigil Songs” that highlights God’s heart for His gift of creation and our responsibility to care for it. Created by the renowned music collective, The Porter’s Gate Worship Project, in partnership with several Christian nonprofits, the album is an expression of the Climate Vigil movement, which calls on Christians and people of goodwill to gather in local communities to bear witness to our climate crisis – and take action to end it.
Dr. Chris Elisara, co-director of the WEA Sustainability Center said, “Climate Vigil Songs reminds us that Christ’s disciples don’t hide from the pain of this world. We don’t turn away from people harmed by droughts, floods, and heat waves. No, we step into the mess, even if it’s risky and uncomfortable. The truth of Easter is that through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection God doesn’t give up on all he created and loves, so we’re not going to give up either–on ourselves and our neighbors suffering from climate change, or helping to fix our climate crisis.”
Climate Vigil Songs is available on climatevigil.org/album and major streaming platforms. The music features top artists, including: Fernando Ortega, Molly Parden, Jonathan Ogden, Page CXVI, Terrian, Josh Garrels, Paul Zach, Audrey Assad, Jon Guerra, Taylor Leonhardt, Jessica Fox, Matt Maher, Jason Upton, Sara Groves, Liz Vice, and Nick Chambers. Songwriters include many of the artists above, plus Kate Bluett, Isaac Wardell, Latifah Alattas, Leslie Jordan, Wendell Kimbrough, Andy Squyres, Tenielle Neda, Lucas Morton, and Nan Macmillan.
These songs are meant to be sung in churches during worship services. Their lyrics are derived from the Scriptures and a deep well of time-tested Christian teachings. Diverse artists and musical styles represented on the album span different Christian traditions, so there is a song on the album for almost every church.
“Music in general and worship songs in particular have always played an important role in the lives of believers from the Old Testament to the New Testament and the present time. The Bible itself has an entire collection of songs in the book of Psalms that have allowed believers over centuries to express their gratitude to God, raise their concerns before the Lord or lament about the challenges they faced and crying out to God for help. This worship album now offers a variety of songs that may help believers express their gratitude, concerns and prayers related to the beautiful creation that God has entrusted to us, and it may stir up a greater desire in us to take action and better care for it,” said WEA Secretary General Bishop Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher who supported the project at a pre-launch worship service held at last year’s COP26.
Isaac Wardell, creative director for The Porter’s Gate Worship Project, commented, “Theologically speaking, we wanted this album to do three different things. First, we wanted to sing songs that celebrate the beauty and wonder of God’s creation, with a particular emphasis on God as an actor in the world. But we couldn’t stop there. The second thing we had to do was pause and say, ‘Something bad has happened here, and we are all responsible.’ We need to feel sorrow for what has been lost, so we wrote songs that give the church words to lament the devastation of God’s good earth. These are deep spiritual and Biblical expressions, not just political positions. Thirdly, we wanted to help people do something with these convictions, so we wrote songs for action and mobilization – music for the movement – where we say ‘yes’ to the work we are called to do. God is restoring all things, and He gives us hands & feet to help build His kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven.”
A resource guide will soon follow with devotions for each song, resources for worship leaders, such as music sheets and song introductions, and sermon starters, relevant information on climate change and other useful resources for pastors.
Read also:
Climate Vigil calls on Christians and people of goodwill to gather in local communities to bear witness to our climate crisis – and take action to end it. Current partners include the Evangelical Environmental Network, Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, World Evangelical Alliance, Tearfund USA, Plant With Purpose, World Renew, Climate Witness Project, and The Porter’s Gate Worship Project.
Stay Connected