Devotions by Campus Ministry Accompanies New CD of Hymns
A campus fellowship, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), has released a devotional guide to accompany Jars of Clay's new album, Redemption Songs, "a CD of hymns featuring several that emerged from the work of RUF" to help the work of youth pastors and leaders, according to RUF's website.
"Worship is always formative," states The Rev. Kevin Twit, RUF, Belmont University. "It has power to shape and mold us, and thus what we sing really matters."
The 13 new tracks, including - "God Be Merciful To Me," "I Need Thee Every Hour," "God Will Lift Up Your Head," "I'll Fly Away," "Nothing But The Blood," "Let Us Love and Sing and wonder," "Our Lord Is Crucified," "Hiding Place," Jesus I Lift My Eyes," "Thou Lovely Source of True Delight," "And They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love" - are hymns, some of which RUF has been using for years.
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With the hope of focusing the hearts of students on the gospel through music, RUF has written devotions for each song.
"Christians through the centuries have found great comfort and challenge in the rich hymns of the church, and now through this project, many modern worshippers will be able to better connect with this incredible reservoir," explained Twit.
Each devotion includes a main theme, bible references, focus lyrics, an introduction and a main point, and a conclusion.
RUF encourages youth pastors and leaders to use the devotions and hymns in ministry.
"As a pastor to students, I can encourage you that we have found few things as powerful in getting the gospel into the heads and hearts of our students as these hymns, and I pray you will find this CD and the devotions a helpful resource in your ministry and in your walk with Jesus," states Twit.
"Singing the hymns of a woman like Anne Steele, who lived in England in the 1700s, and finding that her life of suffering resonates with our experiences, gives us encourage that is bigger than just our friends - it transcends centuries. Christianity is not a fad, but God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow," according to "a fellow pilgrim," Rev. Twit.
According to the Yahoo! Music biography, Jars of Clay were "the breakout band of the so-called alternative CCM movement of the '90s, scoring an enormous mainstream hit with their debut single, 'Flood.' "
The group's acoustic music fit into the pop wing of alternative rock, which was a rarity on the contemporary Christian music scene, and set the stage for breakthroughs by Christian bands like dc Talk and Sixpence None the Richer. Yahoo! accords Jars of Clay with fusing spiritual themes with mainstream alternative rock sounds. Jars of Clay still remains one of the highest-profile groups in any gospel-music subgenre.
