Phillips, Craig & Dean: 'Let the Worshippers Arise'

CBN.com Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig, and Dan Dean have worked hard for more than 13 years, turning up regularly to prove themselves faithful through a musical ministry that won them scores of faithful fans - - not to mention 18 No. 1 singles, several Dove Award nominations, and sales near the two million mark.

Known for their hit songs “Mercy Came Running” and “Crucified With Christ”, this trio brings an experience and maturity to today’s modern worship movement, enhanced by their “day jobs” as pastors.

The past two releases from the group were worship focused, and this album marks the third installment of the trilogy, making this their 10th project. Let the Worshippers Arise finds Phillips, Craig & Dean continuing to deliver vertical worship that, above all else, seeks to connect Christians with their Creator.

While Phillips, Craig & Dean proved themselves consistent through the years, there is also much that’s new in the life of this timeless group. Most exciting is their move to INO Records, where they again find themselves teamed with label Founder and President Jeff Moseley. “We began with Jeff 14 years ago at StarSong Records,” Phillips explains. “He was instrumental in signing us when we were unknown. Jeff is the one who saw a future, and we”ve never forgotten it.”

There’s also a freshness these days to their sound, something they credit in part to producer Nathan Nockels, producer and one half of Christian pop duo Watermark. “We come from a real traditional ‘get your part and belt it out’ kind of mindset,” Craig explains. “Nathan was able to get us to think outside the box.” As a result, the new sound is decidedly more upbeat, while at the same time inviting those who hear it to enter into worship along with them.

On Let the Worshippers Arise, that updated sound is applied to a mixture of original and familiar songs like “Awake My Soul,” which Phillips wrote after being inspired by a revival at his church, and the Matt Redman classic “Making Melody.” Another inclusion is a medley that mirrors the 1994 Dove Song of the Year, “In Christ Alone,” which was originally penned by member Shawn Craig. In addition, the trio tackles “The Power of the Cross,” which Craig wrote with Chris Tomlin. Their first single, "You Are God Alone," has become a fixture in the top ten since its release.

“These songs are selected because people can join in with their whole hearts and sing,” Phillips says. Adds Dean, “With this type of project, we go in asking, ‘How can we draw the audience closer to the presence of God?’ We don’t want it to be about ‘these are great songs,’ but ‘this is a great God.’”

While the challenge of balancing local ministry with a music career can make life hectic at times, Phillips, Craig & Dean still have plenty left to say and a calling they still hear loud and clear. “Everybody has a calling they must be faithful to. Ours is to call the church into a closer intimacy with Jesus, and we do that through our music,” Phillips says. “The topics of how we should love Jesus and what He means to us are inexhaustible, and singing of His attributes is an honor that will never be exhausted.”

Purchase Let the Worshippers Arise.