Stuart Townend
Stuart Townend
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About
Stuart is known and respected around the world as one of the leading worship songwriters of his generation. The depth of lyrical and theological content in songs such as In Christ alone, How deep the Father’s love, The power of the cross and Beautiful Saviour have caused some to draw comparisons with the greats of previous generations such as Watts and Wesley; while the marriage of great lyrics with wonderfully accessible melodies (largely through his successful writing partnership with Keith Getty) means his songs bridge different musical and cultural genres, and reach into every corner of the globe.
Stuart is also a gifted worship leader, musician, recording artist and seminar speaker, and spends a good part of his year leading worship at major Christian events, doing solo concerts, recording studio albums, and training emerging worship leaders and songwriters. He has featured on numerous live worship albums down the years, in addition to his solo albums - Say the Word (1997), Personal Worship (1999), Lord of Every Heart (2002), Monument to Mercy (2006), The Best of Stuart Townend - Live (2007), and There is a Hope CD & DVD (2008). His latest album, Creation Sings, was released in May 2009.
Stuart was born in 1963, and grew up as the youngest of four children in a Christian family in West Yorkshire where his father was a Church of England vicar. From an early age Stuart played music with his brothers (one brother, Ian, went on to become a member of the group Heartbeat), beginning to play the piano at the age of 7, and teaching himself the guitar as a teenager
It was while living in West Yorkshire that at the age of 13 he made his Christian commitment. Then at 18 he moved to Brighton to study literature at the University of Sussex. It is here he met Caroline, whom he married in 1988, and they now have three children; Joseph, Emma, and Eden. Stuart has attends and regularly leads worship at CCK in Brighton, one of the new Frontiers network of churches headed up by Terry Virgo. The church is also home to a number of well-known figures in the area of worship, including Paul Oakley, Lou Fellingham, Phatfish, Simon Brading and Dave Fellingham, who has played a significant role in mentoring Stuart. The church also runs a training programme for worship leaders and musicians called the Worship School.
But it is as a songwriter that Stuart has had the greatest impact on the worldwide church, and it is this that is closest to his heart. “It is so important that our lives are built not on our feelings or circumstances, but on the word of God, and songs can really help us to meditate on and retain truth. I know from the correspondence I regularly receive that if you can express in songs the profound truth of the gospel in a poetic yet accessible way, they really can have an impact in people’s lives.”
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Planning for Christmas-themed services is just 'round the corner and we want you to have the best Christmas songs and hymns in a variety of traditional, modern, and contemporary arrangements. With a variety of different resources to support your worship band, choir, or orchestra, these are some of the best worship songs for the Christmas season.
Mother's Day occurs every year in America and Canada on the second Sunday of May. As we celebrate mothers everywhere, we give thanks to God for them! Truly honoring mothers on this special day means that you can select a handful of worship songs that still focus on God, even as they reflect the heart and character of mothers. Expand your themes to include words like compassion, honor, faithfulness, love, provision, care, healing, sonship, adoption, comfort, and redemption. These are qualities that mothers bring into our lives. With these themes, you can plan a powerful time of worship that will engage mothers deep within their spirit, reflecting their hearts as you lead your whole congregation in worship to God. Get all the sheet music, chord charts and tracks you need today!
As we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we give thanks for and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit with the authority given through Christ. This is a list of chord charts, special arrangements, and orchestrations designed for your congregation as you declare and celebrate Pentecost or the theme of fire.
Slow worship songs in 3/4 offer a gentle, flowing rhythm that's ideal for creating a reflective and intimate worship atmosphere. These songs invite congregations into heartfelt moments of connection with God, perfect for themes of surrender, trust, and adoration. Download chord charts, lead sheets, orchestrations, and multitracks to support your worship team in delivering these serene 3/4 favorites, enhancing your worship service with a tender, contemplative ambiance.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death. These worship songs celebrate the power and hope found in the resurrection. Download chord charts, lead sheets, choir sheets, orchestrations, and multitracks for songs that proclaim the resurrection of Christ at PraiseCharts.
If you are looking for fast worship songs to raise the energy level of your church, this is the list. These upbeat worship songs will inspire people to sing at the top of their lungs, raise their hands, clap, and maybe even ... dance! Download multitracks, choral arrangements, or other tempo arrangements to accompany your worship set.