Featured Artist: Darlene Zschech
Where do you start with one of the best known singers in the Christian music world? Darlene Zschech, from Australia, is probably best known for her involvement in leading the worship coming from the world renowned Hillsong Church based in Sydney.
The singer and songwriter is perhaps most famous for writing the song 'Shout To The Lord', a song that is sung by an estimated 25 million churchgoers every week and has been covered by at least twenty other artists. 'Shout To The Lord' was nominated album of the year at the 1997 Dove Awards and was nominated as song of the year the following year. In 2000 Darlene received a Dove Award nomination for songwriter of the year and received the International Award for her influence on praise and worship music.
In addition to 'Shout to the Lord', Darlene has written over eighty songs that have been published by Hillsong Music Australia alone. These songs are sung all over the world as well. She has helped give the church some of the bet known songs over the last 20 years. In 2005 Darlene released another album, 'Change Your World', which featured a new arrangement of Michael W. Smith's worship song 'Agnus Dei'.
Many years ago, Darlene and her husband Mark, made a life commitment to do whatever they could to bring answer and relief to human suffering, and one of their great joys in life is to work with Compassion International, serving the world's poorest children.
It was a Compassion trip to Central Africa in 2004 that prompted Mark and Darlene to initiate Hope: Rwanda, a global endeavor designed to bring hope to a nation seemingly forgotten since the horrific genocide of 1994. The 100 Days of Hope (2006) project was strategically coordinated to cover the same 100 days that saw approximately 1 million people viciously slaughtered.
Darlene was also invited to be involved in the wonderful charity Compassionart in 2008, working together with many other amazing artist to write and recorded songs with all the royalties going towards the Compassionart project.
Having spent 25 years at the Sydney Hillsong church, Darlene and her husband Mark left earlier this year to take up new roles as Senior Pastors at Church Unlimited in Australia. In addition to a move of churches, Darlene will release her new album 'You Are Love' this summer. Paul Mabury (One Sonic Society, Hillsong) revealed that he and Stu G (former Delirious? guitarist) recently recorded guitars for Darlene's new album. Writing on her blog, Darlene herself revealed that she has been working with renowned producer Aaron Lindsay and gospel singer Israel Houghton. "Aaron Lindsay is a genius and him and Israel together are like creative masterminds plotting their next musical move... tactical expertise! So they are also helping produce a few new songs for the YOU ARE LOVE project.. can not wait for you to hear it!" .
