For Christian singer-songwriter Philippa Hanna, meeting worship legend Darlene Zschech wasn't just another backstage moment-it was the culmination of a journey that began more than 20 years ago.
Sharing an emotional tribute on social media, Hanna revealed that hearing Zschech's unmistakable voice for the first time around 2005 completely transformed both her music taste and her faith. At the time, she had been listening almost exclusively to house and soul music, but everything changed after discovering the iconic Hillsong & Delirious? Live in Sydney album.
Just weeks later, Hanna sang "This Is My Desire" in church for the very first time-a moment she now describes as the beginning of using her voice in worship.
"It became my salvation anthem," she wrote. "And I sing it to this day because, quite frankly, it's a banger."
The story gets even sweeter.
Not long after embracing the song, Hanna was invited to lead it at a wedding, where the drummer accompanying her would eventually become her husband. She also shared that her husband's family has deep ties to Zschech's music, revealing that her husband learned to play drums listening to her songs, while his sisters know "every Darlene anthem by heart."
Meeting Zschech in person, Hanna admitted, was an unforgettable experience.
"That voice. The authority. The songs," she wrote, praising the worship pioneer as "a light," "a worshipper," and "a blessing" whose ministry has impacted countless families around the world.
She also thanked worship leader Tim Hughes for creating the opportunity that brought everyone together.
For fans, Hanna's heartfelt reflection was a reminder that behind many worship songs are stories that stretch across generations-shaping faith journeys, inspiring marriages, and leaving a legacy that continues to echo in churches worldwide.
