When death robs us of our loved ones breaking us asunder, God is stronger.  When the presence of the pink slip sends chills of uncertainties down our spine, God is stronger.  When sickness saps the life blood out our bodies, God is stronger.  Unless our life houses the theological truth that God is stronger in its every crevices fear will ultimately demolish us. Our hearts can only accommodate one occupant:  if God is not stronger enough to be the Lord, fear will gladly move in. And fear will eventually lord over us so that we are perpetually tyrannized by trifles.  The members of New Life Church in Colorado Springs CO know this first hand.  Recently, there was a massive fire that swept right through the vicinity bringing devastation to at least 100 families of the mega Church.  As a process of healing, rebuilding and reaching out to its community, under the direction of worship pastors Brad Parsley and Jon Egan, these ten songs on this album were written. Pulsating right through the record is this undergirding theme that despite the devastating loss, God is stronger.   

Over the last couple of decades, New Life Church has stocked up our churches' worship catalog with worship anthems such as "Overcome," 'Great I Am," "I Am Free," "Your Name, "Our Savior Lives" and many more.  "Strong God" (released by Integrity Music) features 10 new worship songs written by worship pastors Jon Egan and Brad Parsley together with other luminaries such as former Hillsong's Mia Fieldes, Jason Ingram and Meredith Andrews.  Recorded live at the church on January 20, 2013, the lead vocals are shared among the key worship leaders. Egan and Parsley each takes the vocal spotlight on four tracks with the rest coming from their worship team such as Cory Asbury, Rachael Kiehne, Jonathan Moos, Nico Perez and Abby Merkel. Just like their previous outputs, New Life Worship straddles between the anthemic rockers and introspective worship ballads.  In the former category, Jon Egan's "Jesus Reigns" is a prime cut.  Welding copious easy congregational sing along hooks and Jesus exalting words, this is going to get churches singing:  "Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns/Over death and hell and fear He reigns/Above all, above all/He's the victory that saves/Jesus reigns!"

While many worship songs are sadly more suited for solo artists with not much that incur worship from the entire congregation, the title cut "Strong God" is an exception.  The build up of the verses gorgeously invites us to join Egan and his team to some explosive praise when the chorus hits.  The Jon Egan, Mia Fieldes and Jason Ingram written by "All to Him" equally inspires worship;  the rollicking electric guitar riffs, Cory Asbury's kinetic vocal energies and the passion of the congregation just makes us want to lift our hands and sing along.  Though lyrically Brad Parsley led "Victorious God" may not charter new ground, but it's still packs a fists full of faith and passion; two dynamic elements most needed in worship. The tempo does recede to more contemplative moments with "More than Enough" with Abby Merkel and Nico Perez taking the leads.  In an album full of male lead vocalists, it's great to hear some female voices taking the microphones.

One of the highlights of "Strong God" is that this is a record made for us to worship along.  This is why the New Life Worship takes the time to worship.  A couple of the songs, for instance, are reprised to allow us to get into the awe and splendor of entering the presence of the King.  And truthfully it is such moments of worship that will get us through our most perplexing perils.  For in times of catastrophe, the most loving thing you can do for your community and your church is to teach them that God is strong through worship.