Oct. 11, 2024 (FRANKLIN, Tenn.) – Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech unveils her highly anticipated studio album, “Testament.” The new release marks the milestone 30-year anniversary of “Shout to the Lord,” a song that became an anthem for the church worldwide. Some of Zschech’s significant catalog albums are conjointly being redistributed with the new release (“You Are Love,” “Simply Darlene,” “Kiss of Heaven,” and “Change Your World”).
Stirred by friends and family, Zschech crafted a collection of 25 reimagined legacy songs and five brand-new tracks. From iconic songs such as “Cry of the Broken” and “Victor’s Crown,” to fresh offerings like “Spirit of the Living God” and “Yes Again,” each song carries a powerful sound that is just as vibrant today. This expansive and eclectic project features several guest artists, including Martin Smith, SVRICINA, Mitch Wong, and Michael W. Smith, as well as various choirs and the Australian Christian Orchestra.
“Testament” embodies Zschech’s story and her experience of God’s unfailing love, not only in worship ministry, but in the intricate details of her life, too. It’s a family project, described by the artist as “songs that have deep meaning to my family, that have helped shape me and kept my focus heavenward.”
The album weaves together songs that have been the soundtrack to Zschech’s children’s lives, her battle with cancer, and her adventures planting churches and starting non-profits alongside her husband. It also features multiple family members, including Zschech’s daughter, Zoe Cameron, on “Shout to the Lord.” Commenting on this central song, which was penned before Zoe’s birth, she said:
“I wrote it quickly while crying out to God about our future, saying that no matter what, we will follow him. I was young in age and young in God. ‘Shout to the Lord’ changed things around us, but the things that really matter never changed and never will: God is faithful and attentive to our prayers.”
Harnessing this central theme of faithfulness, “Testament” communicates its close relationship to obedience and thankfulness. It’s the sound flowing out of a lifetime lived with the Lord, the very meaning of worship. Zschech is adamant that worship is not a genre but the whole of one’s life poured out for the glory of God: “I’ll always find it hard to wrap my head around the miracle of worship, music, and song. There’s really no other vehicle available to us on earth that has the ability to bring to attention our mind, auditory senses, resting our hearts, moving the soul and spirit to a point when your whole self is pointed in the one direction. Such is the power of worship as the Holy Spirit leads our heart heavenward, Jesus-ward, through the magnificent sound of sacred song.”
“Testament” is out on October 11, 2024. A devotional book published by David C Cook is slated to release soon.
Listen to “Testament” HERE
For more information, visit HERE.
ABOUT DARLENE ZSCHECH
Darlene Zschech is an acclaimed Australian composer, worship leader, pastor, author, and speaker who helped pioneer the modern worship movement in the Church from the 1990’s onwards. Her song “Shout to the Lord” is just one of the examples of the breadth of her artistry, reaching Christ followers worldwide and in many languages. She has been recognized with multiple awards and the achievement of 16 Gold and one Platinum ARIA album. Darlene’s life’s passion for serving God and people led her to pastor Hope Unlimited Church (HopeUC) alongside her husband, Mark, and to initiate HOPE: Global, a non-profit organization bringing hope to people through education in many countries across Africa and Asia.
She is also the author of six books, seeking to mentor and serve other artists and leaders. Through it all, family remains the highest priority, as she explains: “First and foremost I am a woman who simply and wholeheartedly loves Christ, and serves Him through loving my family, serving the church, and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
