Worship artist Jared Anderson explores Where Faith Comes From on his sophomore Integrity Music CD which hits Canadian Christian retailer today.

Member of the Desperation Band and acclaimed for his passionate worship songs, Anderson’s new solo album goes further and deeper to serve God’s people with fresh expressions that challenge and inspire. An associate pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, he is the composer of songs such as “Amazed”, “Rescue” and “Promises” that are sung in churches around the world. Anderson’s songs reflect his own spiritual journey and that of New Life, a church that has learned that true faith is hard-won.

After suffering the devastation of a scandal in 2006, the congregation was hit by tragedy late last year when a young gunman opened fire at the church, killing two before taking his own life. These events challenged the church and Anderson, but left both strengthened and more determined in their commitment to Christ. Where Faith Comes From resonates with the lessons learned through the process of grief and healing.

Produced by Brent Milligan (David Crowder*Band, The Elms, Kathryn Scott), Where Faith Comes From features 10 songs and a “hidden track” that echoes the heart of the Psalms, exposing moments of reckless triumph and Job-like contrition.

Throughout the record Anderson reminds listeners that faith is found in the midst of the good and the bad. “Faith comes from every season and no one expressed that more eloquently than David in his Psalms,” says Anderson. “I hope that my record helps people take their eyes off of what is seen and fix them on what is unseen.”

“The typical demonstration of our devotion to God is to throw a party,” he says. “As a church, we just haven’t felt like doing that, haven’t felt like delivering some huge, ‘Jesus-makes-you-a-winner message.’ There is no more positive message than the Gospel, of course, but we had to dig deeper and to ask, ‘What do I do here in the not-knowing part?’.”

The songs on Where Faith Comes From are Anderson’s personal answers to the question. “It’s like you’re driving down the road in the fog, and you can’t even see the line to have faith is to continue driving.”

Anderson will tour the new record with concert visits to churches in the spring followed by festival appearances this summer and radio singles released by mid-February. Where Faith Comes From is featured on HearItFirst.ca this week. For more information about Anderson, visit his YMZ artist page.