Hillsong Songwriters Recognised in Nashville For Their Efforts

28 April 2009

Hillsong Music Australia has been given a nod at this year's prestigious Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, held on the 23rd of April, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Songwriters and Worship Leaders, Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan were awarded Worship Song of the Year for their vibrant congregational anthem, Mighty to Save.  They are the first Australians to ever take home a Dove Award in this category.

'This song came from the ordinary, a very typical summers afternoon in the kitchen crunching out chords and melodies,' said Songwriter and Hillsong Worship Pastor, Reuben Morgan.

'It's only on reflection that I realize God spoke clearly and intentionally to us from within that season.  It was the Word of God, found somewhere in the earthiness of a very normal Sydney summer.  In the middle of the buzz and the noise of life, I'm growing to appreciate that more than anything, in season and out of season, He is the same compassionate, mountain-moving, Saviour,' Morgan says.

The song was originally recorded on the 15th Live Praise and Worship Album from Hillsong Church that achieved ARIA Gold status soon after its release in Australia.  Mighty to Save has since shown its presence in the CCLI Top 25 charts around the world, and become a favourite on the worship lists of congregations worldwide.

'We are delighted by the response this song has generated in the US, and this award showcases that this country is not only a great exporter of Rock and Pop music, but Christian music as well,' Hillsong Publishing Manager, Steve McPherson said.

'Hillsong Music has never been focused on awards and recognition, however we are excited to be reaching people across the globe with our songs of praise and worship, and about the new generation of songwriters and artists that are emerging from the Australian church.'

'Mighty to Save is a simple song that is grounded firmly in the Scriptures', adds Ben Fielding, co-author of Mighty to Save.  'It’s an expression of the reality and belief that our God has seen our need for a Saviour, and has delivered us through Jesus.'

'It continues to be our hope that Mighty To Save will give expression to the hearts of many believers, and that this song would continue to play a role in the greater story of what God is doing across the Earth.'

Since 1992, Hillsong Music has sold more than 11 million units worldwide, and worked hand in hand to reach out to those in need through One for Another. As we move forward as a church we are passionate about increasing our ability to creatively meet the real needs of humanity. Honouring God by loving one another as He loved us. To find out more about Hillsong Music or One for Another, please visit www.hillsong.com/oneforanother

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