Bethel Music has announced the addition of UK-based worship leader and songwriter Joel Barber to its globally influential collective, marking a significant moment for both the artist and the movement. Known for shaping the modern worship landscape through songs sung in churches worldwide, Bethel Music continues to expand its community with voices rooted in both local church leadership and a deep devotion to the presence of God. Barber, who serves as Worship Pastor and senior leader at Chroma Church in Leicester, steps into this new chapter with a growing reputation for cultivating authentic, Spirit-led worship.
Q: For readers who may be discovering you for the first time, who is Joel Barber, and how has your journey in worship shaped the artist and leader you are today?
Worship is really all I've ever known. Since I can remember, I have drummed on tables, sung constantly, and been absolutely obsessed with anything music. I grew up in a small seaside town in England. My parents are pastors, and our church was full of musicians. When I was born, there were arguments about whether I was going to be a drummer or a guitarist. I played drums in kids' worship, I went to the church guitar classes on Saturdays and was writing kids' worship songs in my early teens. For me, my faith and worship have always been one and the same. You love Jesus, and so you have to worship him... I'm a pastor's kid who loves the local church. I want my life to firstly please Jesus and secondly serve the local church. I have always tried to make sure my leadership and art fit under those two principles.
Q: You described joining Bethel Music as a "full circle moment." Can you take us back to that first encounter at Bethel Church and how it impacted your calling?
The first time I visited Bethel Church was almost 10 years ago. I went with my family. We were in a hard moment and went into that first meeting already nervous, and I personally was pretty skeptical. As the worship began, I found myself feeling really angry and even more so as the night went on. I went home in a pretty foul mood. The funny thing was I couldn't figure out why I was so angry. I'd never had that kind of a response in a church service before. The next morning, my dad took me out for breakfast. He looked across the table and said, "Joel, the only thing that can make you that angry is the presence of God." It was a moment that has probably changed the trajectory of my whole life. I suddenly realized that I had put the Holy Spirit in a box. That there was so much I had to learn and a nearness to him I hadn't experienced. My encounter at Bethel Church changed my life. And for the record, I now adore any time I get to spend in that wonderful place!
Q: Your ministry emphasizes cultivating the presence of God in the "secret place." How does that personal devotion translate into the songs you write and lead publicly?
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go to a wonderful church in Columbia called Avivamiento. This church and its pastors have taught me so much about the presence of God. I was struck by many things on my first trip, but the main thing was the relationship Pastor Ricardo had with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was his friend, with whom he spent time every day. He would sing and write love songs directly addressed to the Holy Spirit. He said something that struck me. When asked why they really only sang their own songs, he responded, "I love other songs, but singing someone else's songs feels like I'm reading someone else's love letter to my wife. I want to write the love letter I sing to the Holy Spirit." That really marked me. I realized I didn't have to write the best songs; they just needed to be real and genuine songs to my best friend. I found that as I built daily rhythms around time with him and serving him, song ideas would begin to spring up kind of everywhere. I would wake up with melodies or words, I'd get little refrains in prayer sets and would feel like he gave us songs in our scheduled writing times. Really, I've found that as I give the Lord priority in all areas of my life, he then consumes all areas of my life.
Q: As both a worship pastor at Chroma Church and now part of a global collective, how do you balance local church leadership with a growing international platform?
I believe the local church is God's chosen vehicle to see His glory displayed on Earth. Serving and building the local church is the greatest honor of my life. I am always asking myself, does this help to build the local church? If the answer is yes, then I'm all in. I have an amazing team of people around me, both at Bethel and in my local church context. There's a lot of joy knowing I'm not doing this alone. And truthfully, the beauty of worshipping Jesus is it's all about Him, which takes a ton of pressure off! Practically, I really try not to be away from Chroma on a Sunday. I wouldn't be away more than five or six Sundays a year. I love my church; I'm biased, but I think it's the best. It really helps that I don't want to be away. I miss what the Lord is doing and the wonderful community we have when I am away. Traveling is a real privilege, and I am enjoying learning how to juggle a little more ...
Q: Bethel Music has been influential in shaping modern worship - what excites you most about contributing your voice to this movement in this season?
The truth is, I feel really humbled and privileged to be a part of such a wonderful collective. Like you say, so much of what Bethel has released has shaped modern worship. They have cultivated a sound that is so inspiring both when you lead and when you write music. For me, I feel excited to bring songs that carry some of what the Lord is doing in the UK at the moment. I want to honor and prioritize the presence of God in everything I do. I really want to learn everything I can from the guys I'm now getting to work with at Bethel. And to collaborate and bring some of the sound the Lord has given us at Chroma and combine it with the amazing sound Bethel carries.
Q: Looking ahead, what can listeners expect from your upcoming music and future projects, and what message do you hope to carry into this next chapter?
We have a bunch of live singles coming out with Chroma Worship. We recorded them at our Glory Nights in Leicester. They are super raw, fiery, and full of energy. We are hoping to have those out in the next few months. I'm writing away at the moment and have some songs I'm really excited to share. I really want to release music that captures passion for the Lord. That feels rowdy and really carries the sound of people worshipping the King. I don't have better language for it yet, but I want to write and release music that the Holy Spirit likes. Really excited for all that is to come with both Bethel Music and Chroma Worship.
