Summer is officially in full swing, which means you’ll need a soundtrack for all those backyard barbecues, roadtrips with friends, and lazy afternoons by the water. Never fear, your favorite worship artists are on hand to provide a continuous playlist of hits as you soak up the sun with those you love. Serving up pulsating beats alongside weighty lyrics, today’s most promising worship acts don’t shy away from modern sonic elements and vast choruses sure to fuel equal amounts of encouragement, faith and fun. Helping you discover God wherever you find yourself over the course of the next three months — whether by the ocean, the lake or the pool — here are seven essential summer worship anthems.
“People of Heaven,” Phil Wickham & Brandon Lake
Initially written exclusively for their debut run of the “Summer Worship Nights” tour in 2023, “People of Heaven” showcases both Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake on a vibrant song that points people to the hope of eternity. Uniting two of Christian music’s most respected songwriters and worship leaders, the celebratory anthem was the perfect encore to the pair’s first official co-headlining outing, as they capped each night with a massive singalong and colorful sprays of confetti. “Y’all, it’s a praise party and a joy bomb all rolled into one,” the duo describes of the one-off single they wrote in an hour’s time in advance of their arena trek. The two longtime friends have penned yet another original, “Love of God,” ahead of this year’s collaborative “Summer Worship Nights” stretch, set to reprise in August 2024.
RELATED CONTENT: Phil Wickham & Brandon Lake Call on the ‘People of Heaven’ to Celebrate Eternal Life
“Worship Through It,” Tasha Layton
Worship often precedes the miracle. Tasha Layton attests to this in her latest song, “Worship Through It,” which exclusively premiered during an Air1 Worship First event. Enlisting the help of Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown, Layton insists the key to breakthrough is worship. The “Never” songstress penned the fresh anthem of hope with friends Matthew West and AJ Pruis and her husband, Keith Everette Smith, who also produced the track. “I wrote this song about a dear friend, who was diagnosed with cancer,” she shares of the moving selection. “And I’ll say this, whatever you’re walking through, whatever it is, God’s got you. He loves you. He has your best interest in mind. He’s never going to leave you. And I hope that you don’t wait until you’re on the mountaintop to worship. Worship in the valley. Worship before the miracle happens. Worship if the miracle doesn’t happen the way you think. Worship through it.”
RELATED CONTENT: Tasha Layton and Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown Implore Listeners to ‘Worship Through It’
“Count ‘Em,” Brandon Lake
Brandon Lake realizes the sum of God’s miracle-working power is impossible to tally on “Count ‘Em.” With dark undertones of synth-heavy pop and a rapid-fire, hip-hop inflected delivery, “Count ‘Em” proves Lake can’t be put in a sonic box. The lyrically rich single doesn’t fit the typical worship mold, yet holds a high reverence for the fear of God. The blazing original appears on his third full-length effort, “Coat of Many Colors.” “‘Count ‘Em’ is my ‘bragging on God’ song,” the award-winning artist shares. “There’s so much I could say about who He is and all the things He’s done. Truly, I couldn’t count ‘em if I tried. But this song lists quite a few bullet points on His résumé, if you will. Proud of this song. Proud of these lyrics.”
RELATED CONTENT: Brandon Lake Attempts to Tally God’s Victories on Early Fan Favorite ‘Count ‘Em’
“He Who Is To Come,” Passion
Passion sets their sights on the Second Coming of Christ on their new song, “He Who Is To Come.” The worship collective — helmed by Kristian Stanfill, Melodie Malone, Brett Younker and Chidima Ubah Craig — dropped the triumphant anthem a month before the annual Passion Conference, which saw 55,000 college-aged students from all over the world descend on Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for three days of worship and teaching at the top of the year. The acoustic-driven “He Who Is To Come” is led by Stanfill and Cody Carnes, who also wrote the track alongside Sean Curran. All three performed at Passion 2024. “We pray that as you hear this song, it lifts your eyes up and reminds you of the hope we have in Jesus,” the Dove Award-winning group shares about the single inspired by Revelation 21. “He is coming again to make all things new!”
RELATED CONTENT: Passion Anticipates Jesus’ Return on New Single ‘He Who Is To Come’
“In the Name of Jesus,” JWLKRS Worship
JWLKRS Worship elevates one name that stands above them all on the group’s new single, “In the Name of Jesus.” A collaboration with Maverick City Music, the spirited track features Chandler Moore helming lead vocals alongside JWLKRS’ Noah Schnacky. Now, fans of both collectives are already making the celebratory anthem a personal declaration as they discover the genuine power that exists in exalting the name of Christ. This version — recorded live — finds a choir of authentic voices organically singing along, lost in a moment of frenzied praise that magnifies the breadth and strength of our Creator and showcases the singular ability of our Savior to do the impossible in our lives. “This song was just an idea among friends,” Schnacky offers. “See… We believe the name of Jesus has power. The power to heal. The power to encourage. The power to break addiction. The power to inspire. Our idea was to put that power into a song.”
RELATED CONTENT: JWLKRS Worship Finds a Cornerstone ‘In the Name of Jesus’
“Outnumbered,” Lakewood Music (feat. Tauren Wells)
“Outnumbered” proclaims the reality of Christ living in us, working through us and fighting battles — both seen and unseen — on our behalf. Inspired by Romans 8:11, together, Lakewood Music and Tauren Wells testify to the truth that the enemy is already defeated if God is on our side. The anthem immediately brings to mind the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17. The giant was no match for the brave shepherd boy and his slingshot. But it wasn’t the smooth stones in his hand that held power; it was the Spirit of the Living God residing inside of David who slayed that giant. “This song was written as a way for you to declare victory over your life through any battle you may face,” Lakewood Music collectively shares. “The enemy is outnumbered! Take a listen — and take hold of the victory that’s already won.”
RELATED CONTENT: The Enemy Is ‘Outnumbered’ on This Powerful New Declaration From Lakewood Music & Tauren Wells
“Another One,” Elevation Worship
Elevation Worship is expectant on their new single, “Another One.” In a similar vein to one of the group’s earliest hits, “Do It Again,” the building anthem testifies to God’s faithfulness: If He’s done it before, He’ll do it again. As the song repeatedly affirms, we serve a God with a perfect track record. Acknowledging all the ways God has supernaturally moved in the past — from the dawn of Creation to the resurrection of Jesus — the rallying cry serves as a confident declaration that He is sure to continue His miraculous work in our lives. “‘Another One’ is a prophetic song for anyone who’s been sowing, praying and waiting on God,” shares the group’s Chris Brown, who helms lead vocals on the selection. “He has an abundance of ways to meet all of our needs, and He’s promised to work all things for our good. We hope this song inspires you to believe that miracles are still ahead for you and open doors are in front of you.”
RELATED CONTENT: Elevation Worship "Another One" Exclusive Performance
