Exclusive: Lincoln Brewster Reveals How Wife's Cancer Battle Changed His Relationship With God; Inspired New Album (VIDEO)
Lincoln Brewster is gearing up for the release of his 9th studio album "Oxygen," and in a recent interview, the celebrated worship artist opened up about how his wife's battle with cancer inspired his latest project.
It's been four years since the "Reaching For You" singer, 43, released an album and fans are anticipating the August 19th release of "Oxygen." Brewster recently shared that his wife Laura's battle with a rare form of cancer in her appendix inspired the album and also changed his relationship with God for the better.
"Well, it's been a while since I've done a worship album about four years (although I haven't just been lying around). It was just time to do another one and I feel like God gave me a renewed passion and vision for this next season of my life," Brewster told the Christian Post exclusively, adding that there were "a lot of things going on in church and a lot of things going on in my family, so I had a lot to draw from to write for this album."
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While recording "Oxygen," Brewster's wife Laura was diagnosed with cancer and while she is now cancer free, he acknowledged that witnessing her battle with illness was understandably not easy. The couple has been married for 20 years and they share two sons aged 9 and 12, who are very fond of Brewster's 11-track album.
"It was real, it's kind of hard to put all of it into words," Brewster said recounting his wife's diagnosis. "I look at trust differently than I did before. [It's] not that I didn't trust God before, I just think I trust Him different(ly) now."
The Alaska-born Christian musician found himself more focused on Laura's recovery and, although during this time he was not as focused on finishing the album, it was his faith that would ultimately motivate him to complete it.
"I had no idea honestly how I was going to get it all done, [the album] just didn't seem that important ... but I really felt like God kept saying 'nope keep going,'" he recalled. "I didn't want to be one of those guys who's like 'I gotta finish my record' when my wife's going through this but I felt like God went 'keep going, be there for her, keep doing the work that's in front of you and I'll be there for you guys.'"
WNEM TV 5Brewster, who had made a commitment to Christ in his late teens, is no stranger to hardships as he was raised from a broken home. However, just like Laura's cancer ordeal, the challenges he faced ultimately inspired him to make quality music.
"I think it was some combination of natural giftedness and passion to do it and then also an outlet. It probably saved me in so many ways," he said of music. "When everybody I knew was out drinking and partying growing up ... even at really young ages ... [I would] go sit in my room and practice and write songs and learn how to play guitar. It was a great outlet for me. I had no idea what God's plan was in the long run, but I think it's nice to look back sometimes and see how God works behind-the-scenes constantly."
"Oxygen" features contemporary Christian songs that deliver powerful messages through uplifting lyrics. Brewster's personal favorite is the title cut "Oxygen."
In addition to making music, the Dove award nominee also enjoys working as a Worship Arts Pastor at Bayside Church near Sacramento, California where he has been for 14 years.
"I think a great way to have a lot of impact in ministry and relationships is to stay at the same place for as long as you can," he said of Bayside Church. "You know it's hard to build something when you're constantly jumping from job to job … and so I'm just wired that way, I'm a loyal guy, I've been married for 20 years and dated for 6, same church for 14. I think there's a lot to be said for consistency and longevity ... the easiest thing in the world to do is quit, it's hard to stick it out and work hard on relationships and work hard on a marriage and work hard at your job … try to make the things you don't like better, so I'm a believer in those things."
Brewster released his first-ever Christmas album "Joy To The World" in 2012 and is currently exploring the idea of creating a second one.
For more information on Lincoln Brewster and his new album "Oxygen" CLICK HERE.
