Prodigal Magazine

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I can only imagine what it will be like… are familiar words by a familiar voice, Bart Millard of MercyMe. Bart has just released a new album, Hymned Again and I was fortunate enough to catch up with Bart for a quick interview about where it all began.As you may recall, it was the song penned by Bart Millard that took us to that glorious city called heaven through a song. For the first time, Christians were faced with a question that we may have never thought of before, “Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?” With Bart’s father passing several years earlier, he wanted to write a song about meeting Jesus in heaven. What a wonderful thought and what a beautiful song.

Bart and the rest of MercyMe have had an extensive touring schedule with many accolades to their credit including new music since 2001, but they have remained true to the call of the Father. Bart has just released a new album entitled Hymned Again. The first Hymn project was inspired by Bart’s grandmother, songs that he was raised on and songs that he passed on to his children. He said that his son fell asleep while listening to the CD and then at breakfast he would be singing a hymn. With this kind of impact on the lives of his children, he decided to do Hymned Again and it’s exciting to see those children learning new arrangements of great old songs.

Let’s take a few minutes to talk with Bart about his music, his family and his faith.

Music

Who influenced you musically?

Everything from the Beatles to Steven Curtis Chapman

What was your initial reaction when you heard “I Can Only Imagine” for the first time?

I knew we had something special but no idea what was about to take place.

Other than that song, what song do you think impacts and encourages the Christian the most?

There’s no way I could give just one answer. I am impacted by a different song every day.

What is your favorite part about touring? Least?

Favorite: Hearing the crowd lift their voice in worship. Least Favorite: Leaving home.

What impressed you to do Hymned Again?

It came out of a desire to have these hymns be a huge part of my kids lives.

Faith

What do you think the biggest problem facing Christian men today?

Not knowing what it means to truly be a shepherd of their own home.

What has the Lord taught you through the success of Mercy Me?

I am constantly reminded that my dreams pale in comparison to God’s realities.

What is your favorite Bible passage and why?

Psalms 139 reminds me that God is God and I am not.

What’s next for Mercyme?

We are in the midst of a fall tour with Bebo Norman, and then we are touring in the spring with Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road.

(Material Used By Permission From The M Collective, Ino Records, and bartmillard.org)