"There's Much Power When We Choose to Praise:" An Interview with the Belonging Co's Andrew Holt

The Belonging Co has just released their new song "Holy (Song of the Ages)." Inspired by John's vision of worship around the throne of God in Revelation 4, the song was recorded live at The Belonging Co's downtown Nashville campus and features their worship pastor, Andrew Holt.  
 
Co-penned by Holt, "Holy (Song of the Ages)" was birthed during a spontaneous moment of corporate worship as he began singing lyrics that would ultimately comprise the song's bridge. The church's lead pastor Henry Seeley and worship leader/songwriter Daniella Mason later joined Holt to complete the track.   

The renowned worship team has released two full-length albums: 2017's All The Earth (Live) and 2019's Awe + Wonder (Live). Their music features worship leaders Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Natalie Grant, Mia Fieldes, Meredith Andrews, Andrew Holt, Hope Darst, Daniella Mason, Maggie Reed, Sarah Reeves and Henry Seeley. 

Founded in 2014 by husband/wife pastors and native Australians Henry and Alex Seeley, The Belonging Co began as a ministry dedicated to meeting the unique needs of Nashville. The church's manifesto is: "Encounter over entertainment, intimacy over industry, presence over presentation, people over position, and most of all, Jesus over everything." The Belonging Co gathers weekly and hosts an annual multi-day conference in downtown Nashville, attracting attendees from around the globe.   

We are honored to be able to catch up with Andrew Holt for this exclusive review.

Q: Andrew, thanks for this interview with us.  Tell us a little about your church The Belonging Co.

Thanks so much for the opportunity! The Belonging Co is a church located in Nashville, Tennessee. It officially launched in 2014, after beginning in our pastors' (Henry & Alex Seeley) basement and has now grown into a thriving church. Throughout all the growth and change, the heart of our church has remained the same, and that's leading people to an encounter with Jesus that changes everything.

Q: What is your role at the church? How did you become involved in the worship ministry?

I'm on staff as the worship pastor, and I help look after everything that happens within the worship team and culture of our church. My wife and I began attending The Belonging Co in 2014, just after it started. It changed our lives forever, and we never stopped coming. I started serving as a volunteer on the worship team in 2015 and then came on staff in 2016. 

Q: The worship team includes some of the best worship leaders and writers such as Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Sarah Reeves, Meredith Andrews, Mia Fieldes and many others. How did that happen?

All of these folks- and our entire worship team-were attending the church before they began serving on the team. Like me, their lives were changed by what God was doing in our house, and they decided to be a part of it. Each of them now volunteers and serves on the worship team because they and their families have decided to call this church their home, and they want to be a part of The Belonging Co in whatever way they can. 

Q: You have a new single out right now. Tell us more about the story behind "Holy (Song of the Ages)"?

This song was actually birthed during a spontaneous worship moment at church towards the end of last year. I was leading at one of our services and began singing, "I won't stop singing, I won't stop singing, these lungs were made to sing Your praise." I sang it into my phone after the service and then a couple of months later got together with our pastor, Henry Seeley, and one of the worship leaders on our team, Daniella Mason. Together we turned those lyrics into the bridge of this song.

We're so excited for the song to be released because it has been such a gift for our church, and I pray it will be the same for the global Church. There is so much power when we make a choice to praise, and "Holy (Song Of The Ages)" is all about us joining in on a song that we were always made to sing- a song that has been going on since the beginning of time and will continue for all of eternity.

Q:  Are you guys working on your new album right now?  If so, give us a sneak peek on what we can expect from the new record.

We are constantly writing for our church here in Nashville and consistently singing new songs in our weekly services and events. Once those songs feel like they need to be released globally, we do our best to steward that. So definitely be on the lookout for new music in the future; we have a lot of amazing songs that haven't been released yet.

Q:  In this age of anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic, what words of encouragement do you have for our readers?

I would encourage you to lean in to God's presence during this season, no matter what circumstance you may find yourself in. He says we can cast our burdens on Him, and He will take them. I really believe He is wanting to come so close to His people in this season, and we just have to recognize that. Very early on when the pandemic was beginning, I was spending time with the Lord one morning and felt an invitation from Him for deeper connection. That morning I made a decision that I would use this season to accept His invitation for deeper connection. And I have honestly felt such clarity with Him in every aspect of my life since. I would encourage you to do the same! 

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