Hillsong Africa Lays Bare The Heart Behind New Worship Songs In Candid Interview
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Hillsong Africa Lays Bare The Heart Behind New Worship Songs In Candid Interview. Last month, Hillsong Africa hosted a powerful concert under the banner Called To Worship at Moreleta Kerk in Pretoria East. Worship Chronicle had the honour of an exclusive interview with Hanan Barth, a member of the vibrant worship team, diving deep into the stories and inspiration behind their latest worship songs.
There’s a deeply personal tone in “Jesus My Hope.” Was there a particular scripture, life moment, or encounter with God that birthed this song?
Hanan Barth shared:
“Yes, there’s a deeply personal tone for Jesus My Hope. This song has been on a journey and has changed over a few years to what it is now for me, since its initial inception in 2014.
I started writing it at a time when I was in a space of uncertainty, and the Lord was the only one I could depend on, because He was the one constant in my life—a reminder to myself that my hope is anchored to Him.
I actually had forgotten about the song and left it for quite some time, but fast forward to around the end of 2022/start of 2023, I was again in a space of uncertainty, as the seasons of life so often change. But coming back to the song felt like finding your favourite jacket in your cupboard that you had forgotten about, and putting it on again.
It gave me the boldness, assurance, and language to know that He’s with me, and that my hope is in the most secure place when it’s anchored to Him. I was also meditating on Psalm 121 during that time, as a reminder that my help comes from the Lord.
And I remember sitting down at the piano, with a broken wrist at the time—not advisable, haha—and it was as if the Lord had given me the words in a moment to articulate exactly the reminder that my soul needed: ‘God I look to You / You are where my help comes from / I’m safe here in Your will / Your presence is my refuge.’
In sharing this song with others, and even into our church community, it’s been beautiful to see how it’s given people language and the declaration to know that Jesus is their hope in every season!”
Can you share a bit about the songwriting process for these new worship songs? How did the team collaborate creatively to bring them to life?
“The songs came from organic pursuit of God and just being in His presence. They were all born from the overflow of what God was doing in our lives at the time.
And also beckoning something in us to bring for others who might not have the language to articulate what they’re experiencing in their hearts and souls. The intention here wasn’t to write songs for our church to sing because we wanted to have songs.
But rather, it felt as though the Lord was bringing forth songs from our season as a church and from our devotion to Him. In sharing, it provided beautiful spaces to collaborate and contribute to each song in order to shape them into what they are today… like puzzle pieces fitting together.
It was beautiful to witness, and it is a great picture (on a small scale) of how we need each other to bring our part as the body of Christ.” He explained.
Was there a particular moment or story during the creative process that stood out as especially memorable or impactful for the team?
Among the many moving experiences during the creative process, one stood out — the unexpected and overwhelming embrace of Jesus My Hope by their Hillsong Church congregation.
“Each song has had its time to breathe, and what’s been special to see is how well our church community has embraced them and made them their own.
I remember when we were bringing through Jesus My Hope as a congregational song during our Christmas Spectacular production in 2023. I had never imagined or even thought about how it could be received, but people latched on to it and sang it as if it had been a song they’d known all their lives.
“With creative spaces and art, sometimes it’s very vulnerable to share something that means a lot to you and can even be seen as a glimpse into what’s going on internally, and you never know if people will be able to relate or if it’s even going to be helpful.
But the beauty of these songs is that people have embraced them and resonated with them so beautifully, and that makes it all worthwhile and inspires us to keep going after bringing authentic songs that are real expressions of our worship.”
Can we expect a full-length album from Hillsong Africa Worship Team?
Looking ahead, Worship Chronicle asked if Hillsong Africa plans to release a full album. Hanan revealed that while their current focus is to serve and bless their church community through worship expression, the dream of impacting the continent through these songs is very much alive.
“In Jesus’ Name, that would be beautiful. A dream of ours. Currently our heart is to be a blessing and resource to our church in our worship expression through song, and that our worship would touch the continent and stir people to worship in spirit and in truth. So yes, all in due time and all by His design.”
The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For: When Will the Songs Be Available for Streaming?
This is the moment most people have been waiting for — the question on everyone’s lips, echoing across Hillsong Church locations from Johannesburg to Cape Town and beyond: When can we finally stream these new songs?
They’ve been sung with passion in worship services, brought tears to eyes during live performances, and lingered in the hearts of many long after the church doors closed. Now, the anticipation is real. Worshippers want to play them in their homes, in their cars, at work, or during quiet devotional moments — not just on Sundays. So, we asked the big question.
When can we expect the new songs to be available for streaming on digital platforms?
Hanan Barth confirmed: “Very soon. There’s a plan in place to make these songs accessible over the next few months.”
With that promise, it’s clear the team is not only passionate about what they’re creating but also intentional about when and how it reaches worshippers across the continent.
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