Lead Worship Well

Over the course of his storied, 40+ year career, Michael W. Smith has written and released over 36 no. 1 songs, received 45+Dove Awards, and has sold more than 15 million albums. But far more important than any of these accolades and milestones, he’s given back to the global community (through Compassion International, Rocketown, and more), and has exemplified living out the calling of a whole-hearted worship leader. We are excited to introduce a new host for the Lead Worship Well podcast in Chris Kuti! Chris and Michael discuss going the distance, dying to self, worship as a way of life, his new song for the Church (“Hymn For Communion”) and how you hold family, faith and a calling like this over a lifetime. Resources for Michael W. Smith: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Michael-W.-Smith/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Last year, Hope Darst joined us in person here at the MultiTracks.com HQ! Hope has written powerful songs like “Peace Be Still,” “If The Lord Builds the House,” and more recently, “Mighty Name of Jesus.” She speaks on her heart for the local church and her passionate for writing songs that help worship leaders lead from a place of integrity and authority. Enjoy this conversation and live recordings of songs from her latest record, In The Mighty Name of Jesus. Resources for Hope Darst: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Hope-Darst/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

This Black History Month, Chris Baker (MultiTracks Gospel Brand Manager) and Dee Jone (MultiTracks Africa Brand Manager) trace the sound that carried the people from spirituals, to gospel, to today’s worship, and how that river now flows across Africa and back again. They speak on mission, music, and the future of a truly global Church. We hope you enjoy the conversation! MultiTracks Gospel resources: https://www.leadworshipwell.com/releases/top-gospel-songs-2026 Visit MultiTracks Africa: https://www.multitracksafrica.com/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

We’re excited to release our first podcast episode of 2026! Today we have a conversation with worship leader and solo artist, TAYA. We speak with her on the journey of writing her second solo record, The Reminder, and the importance of trust, surrender, and remembering the goodness of Jesus. Resources for TAYA: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/TAYA/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

In this episode, we chat with Chelsea Plank of SEU Worship! This conversation centers around the heart of and context behind the SEU Worship ministry, discipling and stewarding the gifts of students, their latest album, and the power behind the story of the prodigal son. We hope it encourages you! Resources for SEU Worship: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/SEU-Worship/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Phil Wickham is a GRAMMY nominated artist and leader in the modern worship movement, having penned countless songs sung in churches around the world. Phil joins us to speak on the songs off his latest record, Song Of The Saints, share stories about his upbringing in a worship leader’s home, and the impact pf his music on global audiences. Resources for Phil Wickham: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Phil-Wickham/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Today’s MT Conference Preview episode is a conversation between Steve McPherson and Stephen Brewster! They discuss how to navigate music rights in ministry well, and preview the content they’ll be speaking into in greater detail at MT Conference. Church Music Bootcamp is an optional conference add-on centered around navigating the complex world of music rights. Join these worship industry leaders for an intensive, one-day deep dive into songwriting and publishing, performance rights, licensing, distribution, audience building, and how to approach business in a church environment. Register for Church Music Bootcamp: https://mtconference.multitracks.com/bootcamp Register for MT Conference: https://mtconference.multitracks.com/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Chris Tomlin joins us for the first time today! Chris reflects on his recent experience with leading worship at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, the wider spiritual climate in America right now, and the themes, unexpected moments, and hopes for his new album coming Friday: The King Is Still The King. Resources for Chris Tomlin: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Chris-Tomlin/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

“Not my will but Yours be done is something we live out every single day.” Lizzie Morgan’s professional career launched when she began singing background vocals for Lauren Daigle in 2017. Between tours, Morgan would begin sharpening her songwriting skills on several projects with Maverick City Music and Seasons Collective. We learn more about her story, speak with her on the importance of engaging in healthy conflict, and her debut record, Not My Will. Resources for Lizzie Morgan: https://www.multitracks.com/artists//Lizzie-Morgan/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Our founder Phillip Edwards and our Director of Product Kristian Ponsford are today’s guests for this MT Conference Preview episode. They discuss the heart behind this conference, the journey we hope the sequencing of the content will take you on, the incredible guests, worship artists and industry professionals who will be part of this 3-day event, and answer the ultimate question: Do We Need Another Worship Conference? Register for MT Conference: https://mtconference.multitracks.com/ Church Music Bootcamp: https://mtconference.multitracks.com/bootcamp Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

We have a bonus podcast episode out today kicking off a series that will give you a glimpse into the first-ever MT Conference! We are thrilled to have Chris Kuti and Walker Beach heading up the Leadership Track. In this episode, they discuss the current challenges worship leaders face, particularly burnout and remembering to master the basics, and emphasize the importance of authenticity and heart posture in leadership. They hope this track at the conference will be an inspirational reset for worship leaders at they prayerfully consider the goals and vision for their local churches. Learn more + register today: https://mtconference.multitracks.com/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Season 7 is here! We’re excited to kick off this season with a conversation with worship leader, songwriter, artist and now published author, Michael Bethany! Michael is passionate about multicultural worship and mentoring the next generation. In this episode, he and our host Chris Baker unpack his book, Life In The Wild. He shares a powerful framework of understanding purpose, surrender and the wilderness – not as a season, but as a location for your spiritual life. We are so excited to have Michael join us at our first MT Conference. Learn more here: https://mtconference.multitracks.com/ Resources for Michael Bethany: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Michael-Bethany/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

UPPERROOM is a community that gathers morning, noon, and night to minister to the Lord. They exist to minister to the Lord by giving Him our thanksgiving and praise, to worship Him by agreeing with who He is, and intercede by agreeing with what He desires to do in our lives, city, and earth. We spoke with their Worship Director, Jonathan Lewis, and Oscar Gamboa: writer, producer, and MD of UPPERROOM. We speak on organizing and pouring into a large group of volunteers, their latest release 1350 (and how these album releases differentiate between their Moments releases), and the importance of returning to the place where God first met us. Resources for UPPERROOM: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/UPPERROOM/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Along with his wife Kristyn, Keith Getty has been at the forefront of the modern hymn movement over the past decade, bridging the gap between the traditional and the contemporary. This episode is full of insight into today’s worship culture, the reasons why these classic hymns have stood the test of time, and plenty of English and Irish humor. Resources for The Gettys: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Keith-and-Kristyn-Getty/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

At the heart of Red Rocks Worship is a singular vision shared by the entire church: to make Heaven more crowded. This is the driving purpose behind everything; from crafting songs that magnify a holy God, to creating spaces where people can encounter Jesus in a real and personal way. We speak with Tyler Christian Roberts and Kory Miller today about their new album The King is Coming, hear some of the stories that only God can write with our music, and talk about how living as if Jesus is coming back affects every aspect of our lives. Resources for Red Rocks Worship: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Red-Rocks-Worship/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Aaron Williams is a Franklin, Tennessee-based artist and songwriter who is passionate about helping people discover and develop an abiding relationship with Jesus. We discuss his desire for investing in worship leaders through his ministry The Way of Worship, leading in the midst of anxiety, and how his song “Resurrection Hope” emphasizes both the grief and hope we experience each year looking toward Easter Sunday. Aaron Williams resources on MultiTracks.com: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Aaron-Williams/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

David Leonard began performing with NEEDTOBREATHE before becoming one-half of the critically acclaimed and GRAMMYⓇ-nominated duo All Sons & Daughters. Now, as a GMA Dove AwardⓇ-winning producer, creative partner and songwriter, he’s co-written songs like “Great Are You Lord,” “Christ Be All Around,” and “All The Poor and Powerless.” It was in 2019 when he released his first solo project, The Wait, a special collection of personal and reflective songs. We speak with David on longevity in ministry and learn some lessons and observations from David on his years serving the church. This conversation really amplifies David’s heart for the Church and resourcing worship leaders and we hope it blesses you! Resources from David Leonard: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/David-Leonard/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

“Broken things can become blessed things when we let God do the mending.” We speak with our friends at Watoto in Uganda this week! Watoto brings hope and healing to vulnerable women and children in Uganda and South Sudan. Their ministry is inherently transformative and their choir has been able to show what God can do: His presence empowering the least of these to not only worship locally, but to sing in places like The White House, The Queen’s Jubilee and more. We also speak on Brad & Rebekah’s role in this ministry, how they helped start the camp where the songs from their upcoming record were written, how Playback has allowed Watoto to “set the table and then get out of the way” in worship, and their role in the global, redemptive story of Jesus. Check out their new album, coming May 23rd, and stay tuned until the end to hear how you can support the mission at Watoto! Resources for Watoto: https://www.multitracks.com/songs/Watoto/Dream-Again/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

It is Seph Schlueter's deep passion to awaken people's hearts, help lead others into an encounter with Jesus, and give language to a relationship with God through his music. In 2024, Seph released his debut major label EP, Counting My Blessings, which offers organic pop sensibilities and relatable lyrics that speak to his all-consuming love for Jesus. We chat with him about caring for our relationship with Jesus amongst changing seasons, and investing in and empowering the next generation of church leaders to be all God has made them to be. Resources for Seph Schlueter: https://www.multitracks.com/artists/Seph-Schlueter/ Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com

Fred Hammond is one of the most respected names in the music industry. He is a Grammy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, musician, producer and arranger, and the architect behind the genre of Urban Praise & Worship—a genre of gospel music that did not exist prior. Fred speaks on the instruments he fell in love with at an early age, the influence of the R&B scene on his work (and how using that influence got him out of his own way in trying to write traditional gospel music), and the role that Christ-centered humility has played in his life and career. We were honored to host this legend and discuss not only his significant contributions to gospel music, but the aspirations he has for his ongoing legacy. Follow us @multitracks // @multitracksgospel // @leadworshipwell www.multitracks.com