Christy Nockels Releases First Album In Five Years, 'This Is The Hour'
Three-time GMA Dove Award-winning worship leader, singer-songwriter, author and podcaster Christy Nockels releases her first full-length studio album in over five years, This Is The Hour, (Feb. 24) on Keeper’s Branch Records with global distribution via The Fuel Music. Available now at digital and streaming outlets worldwide, the recording features all the acclaimed music on the recently released Valor EP plus 10 more intimate worship tracks all meant to lead listeners deeper into the heart of God.
As a worship leader for over 25 years, Christy’s heart is to simply lead others to connect and communicate with the living God. Her new album carries a storyline that God has already used in a deep and personal way in her and her producer-husband Nathan’s lives. They have experienced these songs spiritually and even emotionally, and they have already been a healing balm to their own hearts.
“We’re living in an hour where you and I are having to pioneer through some of the most challenging cultural and spiritual landscapes we’ve ever encountered,” says Christy. “Yes, there are those who have gone before us, but this moment is new to us and it matters what we do with it.My prayer is that these songs foster a deep reconnection of our hearts to God in this hour in a way that helps us cultivate His presence in our daily lives in a real and fresh way.”
Produced by Nathan Nockels (Passion, Matt Redman, Laura Story), the themes and prayers that have bubbled up in these songs encompass: a returning home to the Father’s heart-including prodigals running home-salvation, renewal, resilience of the human heart and revival.
Following the opening, title track, which features an extended instrumental section by Nathan that reprises later in the album, is the song “As For Me (Psalm 2).” “This song is named after and inspired by Psalm 2, which opens with talk of the nations raging in anger and people plotting in vain against the Lord and all that He has set in place. These words feel oddly familiar in this volatile hour we’re living in!” exclaims Christy. “But I love how it flows right into God’s response: He laughs in the face of all the bickering and plotting and says, ‘As for me, I’ve set my King on Zion!’
“This is a beautiful reminder that God isn’t anxious or fretful about the hour we are living in or the days ahead,” continues Christy. “Even when evil rises to threaten us, we can sit in the same confidence that God sits in today. He already made provisions for us and has a plan and that Provision and Plan is a Person. Jesus. The bridge of this song opens up in celebration of Jesus, this King that God has set in place for the world. And just like the end of Psalm 2, there’s an invitation, ‘Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Your name, they belong to You Jesus!’”
