The Walk: Devotionals for Worshippers Worship Leader

In this powerful episode of The Walk podcast, Worship Leader Magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Joshua Swanson, welcomes back the esteemed singer, pastor, and worship leader, Charles Billingsley. Join us as Charles shares a profound devotional on the topic of contentment, drawing from his personal struggles and biblical wisdom.
Charles opens up about the internal battles many face in today's comparison-driven society, reflecting on his own journey as an artist and pastor. He delves into Philippians 4, where the Apostle Paul teaches us about finding contentment in any circumstance. Through engaging stories and relatable examples, Charles illustrates the importance of embracing a state of mind rooted in gratitude, joy, and peace.
Listeners will be inspired by Charles' vivid analogy of life as a river, navigating past the obstacles of location, material possessions, and comparison. He emphasizes that true contentment is not found in where we are, what we have, or what we do, but in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tune in to discover the three tributaries that feed into the river of contentment: gratitude, joy, and peace. Learn how to cultivate these qualities in your own life to experience the deep, abiding contentment that only Christ can provide.
Don't miss this enriching episode filled with timeless wisdom, practical insights, and spiritual encouragement. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support our work and help spread this important message.
Episode Highlights:
Charles Billingsley on personal struggles with contentment Biblical foundation from Philippians 4 The analogy of life as a river and navigating obstacles The three tributaries: gratitude, joy, and peace Practical steps to cultivate true contentment in Christ Special Features:
Partnership announcements with Planning Center and Praymusically.com A special audio clip of Charles Billingsley singing Puccini's Nessun Dorma Join us on this journey towards discovering a holy contentment that transforms our hearts and lives.
- - - - - - - - -
Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Mission Town Media and Worship Leader. More episodes can be found at the link below.
- - - - - - - - -
Links:
https://www.charlesbillingsley.com/ https://www.planningcenter.com/ https://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/ https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/ https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/ https://authenticmedia.company/ https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/ Who is Charles Billingsley?
With nearly thirty years of experience as a singer and entertainer, Charles Billingsley has performed in venues from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center. His latest solo album, *The Shadow of Your Smile*, showcases beloved standards from Broadway, big band, smooth jazz, and the Great American Songbook. Produced by Tim Davis and Wayne Haun, the album features iconic songs like "It Had to Be You," "Danny Boy," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "America, the Beautiful (feat. Voctave)," and "Bring Him Home," all newly arranged to highlight Charles's captivating vocals.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

From the Basement to the Altar: A Journey Through Addiction and Grace
In this deeply moving episode of The Walk Podcast, Joshua Swanson, Editor-in-Chief of Worship Leader Magazine, hosts a candid conversation with Zane and Donna King. The talented artists and songwriters open up about their family's journey through the trials of addiction, sharing a powerful testimony of faith, resilience, and the transformative grace of God.
What You'll Learn:
How Zane and Donna’s contrasting backgrounds and shared love of music brought them together. The profound impact of addiction on families and the feeling of isolation it can bring. The importance of community support and finding solace in church basement meetings. The concept of "letting go and letting God" and the practice of detachment with love. How scripture and prayer provided strength and guidance during their darkest moments. The significance of their song "From the Basement to the Altar" and its message of hope. Episode Highlights:
Zane and Donna discuss their early relationship and the role of music in their lives. Personal anecdotes about the challenges they faced with two of their six children struggling with addiction. Finding unexpected support and understanding in a church basement group. Embracing the difficult process of allowing God to take control and learning to set healthy boundaries. A heartfelt prayer led by Zane and Donna for those dealing with similar struggles. The uplifting story behind their song "From the Basement to the Altar," reflecting their journey from despair to hope. Tune in to hear Zane and Donna King’s incredible testimony, filled with raw honesty, heartfelt prayers, and inspiring insights that will touch your heart and strengthen your faith.
- - - - - - - - -
Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Mission Town Media and Worship Leader. More episodes can be found at the link below.
- - - - - - - - -
Links:
https://www.zaneanddonnaking.com/ https://www.planningcenter.com/ https://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/ https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/ https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/ https://authenticmedia.company/ https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/ Who are Zane and Donna King?
With Dove and Singing News Fan Award nominations to their credit, acclaimed husband/wife duo Zane & Donna King are known for a string of Top 10 hits that honestly and artfully articulate joy in both the ups and downs of life. After walking with two of their children through addiction and recovery, they are on a mission to encourage others in similar situations with their grace-filled songs and the life-changing message of God’s goodness.   In addition to producing and penning songs for numerous other artists, the Kings are each respected musicians in their own right. Zane is a steel guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumental studio musician, while Donna has released two acclaimed solo recordings and has written songs for such artists as Sunday Drive, Riley Roth, Tribute Quartet and The Taylors. As a duo, Zane & Donna King’s sound spans genres from country to Southern Gospel to worship, and their previous recordings include 2014’s Mile Marker One and 2018’s Beautiful Ever After. 
Scripture References
Ephesians 3:20-21 Philippians 4:12-13 2 Corinthians 12:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What You Can Expect:
Introduction to Skye Reedy: Skye shares her background as a songwriter, worship leader, and her life journey from Florida to Nashville. Personal Testimony: Skye discusses her battle with a painful autoimmune disease and the loss of her mother, highlighting how these experiences shaped her faith. Healing Encounter: She recounts a transformative encounter with God during a young adults service that led her to dedicate her life to sharing God's love through music. Scriptural Healing Journey: Skye explains how she deepened her understanding of physical healing through scripture, faith, and prayer. Worship and Testimony: Emphasizing the power of testimony in worship, Skye encourages listeners to sing and lead from their personal experiences with God, concluding with a heartfelt prayer for those facing struggles. Embracing Healing Through Faith: Skye Reedy's Journey
In the latest episode of The Walk Podcast, hosted by Joshua Swanson, the Editor-in-Chief of Worship Leader Magazine, listeners are introduced to Skye Reedy, a talented songwriter, worship leader, and native Floridian. Skye's story is one of profound faith, healing, and the transformative power of testimony.
Skye Reedy's Testimony
Skye Reedy starts her devotional by sharing her background and current life in Nashville. She emphasizes the power of testimony, explaining that the term means "to do again with the same power and the same authority." Skye believes that personal experiences with God can inspire faith and revive hope, both in daily life and in worship.
Skye recounts her difficult childhood marked by a painful autoimmune disease that affected her and other family members. Despite her family's strong faith, the illness caused her significant pain and led to the loss of her mother during her high school years. This period of grief and questioning distanced her from God.
However, moving to Nashville for college marked a turning point. Friends who loved the Lord invited her to church, and during a young adults service, she had a life-changing encounter with God. A pastor's words resonated with her deeply, leading her to release her pain and embrace God's healing love.
From that moment, Skye dedicated her life to sharing the love and healing power of God through music. She explains how singing brought her joy during her sickness and how the Holy Spirit used music to touch her heart. After college, doors opened for her to travel and sing with artists like Mandisa and Michael W. Smith, further nurturing her faith and healing.
Learning About Physical Healing
Skye shares how God began teaching her about physical healing, an area she initially felt uncertain about. Surrounded by faithful friends, she dove into scriptures about healing, reading stories and testimonies that strengthened her faith. She highlights the importance of laying disappointment at Jesus's feet and learning to pray with faith and hope.
Skye recounts a powerful moment while watching an online church service, where she felt a chronic fatigue lift from her body, sensing God's healing presence. Subsequent tests confirmed her healing, both physically and spiritually. She stresses that if God could heal her, He could do it for anyone.
The Power of Worship and Testimony
Skye emphasizes that leading worship and singing from one's history with God is impactful beyond words. Whether shared in gatherings or from the heart, testimonies remind people of God's faithfulness and encourage them to lift their eyes to Jesus. She enjoys praying for guidance on song choices and singing scriptures and prayers during worship, believing it can shift hearts and renew spirits.
A Powerful Devotional
Skye Reedy's testimony on The Walk Podcast is a profound reminder of the power of faith, the importance of testimony, and the transformative love of God. Her journey from sickness to healing, both physical and spiritual, underscores the message that God's plans for us are good, and His healing p

Greetings, dear readers, and welcome to our latest episode of The Walk for Worship Leader Magazine. Today, we delve into an inspiring episode with a special guest appearance by the esteemed worship leader, singer, and songwriter, Josh Baldwin.
Fighting for Peace: A Journey Through Faith
In this heartwarming and profound episode, Josh Baldwin shares a deeply personal story about his family's struggle with anxiety and the divine peace they found through faith. Baldwin, known for his powerful corporate worship songs, takes us on a journey of vulnerability, resilience, and the unyielding power of God's peace.
The Turbulent Season
Baldwin begins by referencing John 14:27, a verse that promises peace from Jesus, unlike any peace the world can give. This verse became a beacon of hope during a tumultuous time in his family’s life. In January 2023, while Baldwin was frequently traveling, his wife began experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks, reminiscent of a similar episode four years prior. This unexpected resurgence of anxiety plunged their home into a period of deep distress and uncertainty.
Determined to find peace, Baldwin canceled his engagements to stay home and support his wife. They sought the Lord fervently, praying for understanding and relief. During this season, Baldwin had a scheduled songwriting session with friends, including one who had flown in from Australia. Despite his reluctance to leave his wife and feeling creatively drained, he attended the session.
The Birth of a Song
In a candid moment of sharing, Baldwin opened up about his family's struggles with his friends, which led to a powerful time of prayer and mutual support. This experience birthed a song that candidly expressed their fight for peace. The lyrics reflect the raw and honest cry for God's presence in the midst of turmoil, calling upon God’s many roles – Savior, Friend, Healer, Defender, Provider, and crucially, the Prince of Peace.
Initially, Baldwin envisioned the song as a personal anthem for his family. However, as they repeatedly listened to it, the song’s profound impact became clear. It resonated deeply, not just within their home but with others who heard it. Baldwin decided to include the song in his live album recorded at his church in Tennessee. During the recording, his wife shared her testimony, and they prayed for others battling anxiety, turning a personal trial into a collective moment of healing and faith.
The Prince of Peace
Baldwin emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Drawing from Hebrew meanings and scriptural insights, he describes Jesus as the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures peace wherever He reigns. This divine peace became the cornerstone of Baldwin's prayers for his family and their daily lives.
He shares how this peace is not a one-time experience but a daily journey. As a father, Baldwin sees the importance of instilling this peace in his children, teaching them to lean on God’s promises amidst fears and worries. Romans 16:20, which speaks of the God of peace crushing Satan under our feet, became a source of strength and assurance.
Encouragement for the Weary
In a heartfelt plea, Baldwin encourages those struggling with anxiety, sleeplessness, and worry to seek the Prince of Peace. He shares his own battles with worry, recognizing it as a tool the enemy uses to hinder our spiritual progress. Through prayer and surrender, he urges us to allow God's peace to surpass all understanding and reign in our hearts.
A Prayer for Peace
Baldwin closes with a prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to bring peace to all listeners, rebuking anxiety, worry, and fear in the name of Jesus. His prayer is a powerful reminder of the peace we can find in Christ, encouraging us to surrender our burdens and trust in His divine control.
As we reflect on Josh Baldwin's journey, we are reminded of the profound peace that comes from trusting in Jesus. His story is a t

Greetings, dear readers. In the latest episode of The Walk, hosted by Joshua Swanson, Editor-in-Chief of Worship Leader Magazine, we had the privilege of engaging with the Red Rocks Worship team from Colorado's Red Rocks Church. The episode delved into their identity as a worship collective, their experiences leading worship in different cities, and the heart behind their music.
Red Rocks Worship: A Collective and Fluid Ministry
The conversation began with an exploration of why Red Rocks Worship refers to itself as a "collective." Tyler Roberts, the worship pastor, explained that their team is dynamic and ever-changing, reflecting the fluidity of their ministry. The team has seen worship leaders come and go, each bringing unique gifts to serve their local church. This fluidity allows them to embrace different seasons and continually welcome new talents, creating a vibrant and adaptable worship community.
Experiences in Different Cities
The team shared their experiences of leading worship in various cities, including a recent visit to Portland. They noted the unique spiritual atmospheres in different locations, influenced by the history and culture of each place. Sidney Bacon highlighted the distinctiveness of Portland, with its beautiful stained glass and pews, creating a sense of connection to the past and the deep roots of faith.
Songwriting and the Power of "Ascend"
A significant part of the discussion focused on their songwriting process, particularly the song "Ascend." Kory Miller shared the profound journey of repentance and spiritual renewal that inspired the song. "Ascend" speaks to the purity and surrender required to enter God's presence, resonating deeply with the team and their collective experiences. The lyrics emphasize the importance of clean hands and pure hearts, echoing Psalm 24.
Impact of Current Events and Spiritual Warfare
Tyler Roberts and Kory Miller addressed how current cultural events influence their songwriting. They aim to unify the church by focusing on the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ, especially in tumultuous times. Their upcoming album, recorded during a politically charged season, seeks to galvanize the church and reinforce the message that Jesus is King, regardless of external circumstances.
The team also discussed the spiritual warfare they face as worship leaders. Kendra Benay shared her personal battles with dreams and the importance of persistent prayer. The conversation highlighted the need to recognize and combat spiritual attacks with truth and prayer, rather than accepting them as mere life challenges.
Encouragement for Worship Leaders and Believers
The episode concluded with words of encouragement from Tyler Roberts. He urged listeners to stay in the fight against spiritual warfare through praise and thanksgiving. He reminded us that Jesus is with us in every circumstance, and that praising Him can bring peace that surpasses understanding. This message is especially pertinent for worship leaders and believers navigating the complexities of life and faith.
This insightful episode of The Walk with Red Rocks Worship offers a profound look into the heart of a worship collective dedicated to serving their church and spreading the truth of Jesus Christ. Their journey of fluidity, unity, and spiritual resilience serves as an inspiration for all believers. As we navigate our own paths, may we remember to praise and seek the Lord with clean hands and pure hearts.
- - - - - - - - -
Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader. More episodes can be found at the link below.
- - - - - - - - -
Links:
https://www.redrocksworship.com/ https://www.planningcenter.com/ https://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/ https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/ https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/ https://authenticmedia.company/ https://worshi

A Heartfelt Reflection on the Role of Worship Leaders in the Modern Church
In a recent episode of "The Walk" podcast, Joshua Swanson, Editor-in-Chief and host, welcomed Darren Mulligan from the band We Are Messengers. The discussion brought to light some compelling concerns about contemporary worship practices, particularly within large church movements and megachurches. Darren Mulligan's thoughtful reflections offer a timely reminder of the true essence of worship and the responsibilities that come with leading a congregation.
A Growing Concern in Worship Culture
Darren Mulligan opens with a poignant observation about the current state of worship music, especially in large church settings. He points out an "unbiblical obsession" with the personalities and styles of worship leaders, which often overshadows the true purpose of worship. Mulligan notes that these movements frequently rely on their music to bolster their brand, seeking broader influence, wealth, and prestige. This, he asserts, is a troubling trend, as the gospel was never intended to be glamorous.
The True Nature of Worship
Mulligan emphasizes that worship should encompass our entire lives, not merely the songs we sing. He cites Romans 12:1 to remind us that presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is our spiritual worship. Leading worship should be seen as a humble act of service, akin to foot washing, where the talents God has given are poured out to edify the church and glorify God. This stands in stark contrast to the self-promotion and pursuit of status that can sometimes be observed in modern worship culture.
The Role of Worship Leaders
A critical point raised by Mulligan is the elevation of worship leaders to a status that implies a distinction from other service roles within the church. This is often reflected in the structure of worship services, where the worship leader becomes the focal point as the house lights dim and the stage lights illuminate them. This subtle yet significant distinction can lead to a misplaced emphasis on the individual rather than on God.
Mulligan calls for a biblically informed understanding of worship. He stresses that worship leaders are not responsible for ushering in the presence of God or leading people into the throne room. God's presence is already among us, and every believer must approach the throne of grace individually through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
A Call to Authenticity and Service
While acknowledging the many worship leaders who serve faithfully and humbly, Mulligan issues a gentle warning against falling into the trap of celebrity culture within the church. He encourages worship leaders to evaluate their motivations and ensure they align with God's desires. Singing biblically accurate and cohesive songs is crucial to avoid furthering the spiritual immaturity prevalent in today's church culture.
Mulligan's reflections extend a heartfelt thanks to those worship leaders who inspire and edify the body of Christ through their service. He reminds us that the true call of a believer is to lose one's life for Jesus and to serve others, following the example of Christ who washed His disciples' feet.
Engaging in the Conversation
Joshua Swanson concludes the podcast by inviting listeners to engage in the conversation sparked by Mulligan's reflections. The community's feedback is valued and often turned into articles, providing a pulse on the current trends and concerns in worship.
Final Thoughts
Darren Mulligan's insights serve as a sobering reminder of the true purpose of worship and the sacred responsibility of those who lead it. As we navigate the complexities of contemporary worship culture, let us strive to maintain a focus on Christ, serving with humility and authenticity.
- - - - - - - - -
Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader. More