Jenn Johnson Invites Believers to Experience a Holy Exchange with Bethel Music’s New Album
Bethel music co-founder Jenn Johnson shared that the group's latest album, We Must Respond, is centered on how gratitude and worship are essential responses to God's goodness. In an interview with The Christian Post, Jonshon said that the idea behind the album, released last week, initially came from her father-in-law Bill Johson, who asked: "How can we not respond?"
"God has been so good," she said. "From creating the world for us to coming to earth as a baby in humility, walking through life with us, and offering His forgiveness, grace, and strength. How could we not respond in gratitude and praise daily to Him?"
Johnson added that the 18-track album invites listeners to a "holy exchange" as they embark on a journey of worship and surrender when listening to each song.
"We really encourage listeners to start from the beginning and take an hour to listen all the way through to really absorb the full message of the album, of what we felt the Lord is saying," she said.
The album was recorded live at the Cascade Theatre in Redding, California features guest vocalists Brooke Ligertwood, Abbie Gamboa and Aodhán King.
Johnson told The Christian Post that the music helps listeners focus on God despite challenging times.
"Lyrically, to be able to reach into people's hearts and give them words that maybe they didn't even have to say out loud, to connect with God in the middle of their joy and pain, where humanity connects with the divine, I think that's one of our big goals," she said.
She explained how one track, "Church," which features worship leaders from Bethel Music, Passion City Church, and Upper Room, is both a call to unity and a prophetic message for the entire Body of Christ in 2025.
"It's a call to the Church globally, to kind of get over themselves, with the division and the criticism, and really to unify, to see the beauty of each other as the global body of Christ, and come together and love and learn from each other instead of thinking that one of us has a corner on the market of this thing," the worship leader said. "We don't. We all need each other. I think it's a really important message in 2025, a prophetic message, if you will, to the global Church."
Johnson, a mother of five, shared that she is passionate about creating music for all generations, including working on releasing more worship songs specifically for children.
"I grew up in Sunday school, and I still carry the songs I learned as a little girl," she said. "We want there to be something for everybody — kids, young people, and the elderly — to attach their faith to in this project."
Bethel Music was founded by Brian and Jenn Johnson in 2001 and has since become a household name in modern worship music, with over 18 albums to date. Songs such as "This Is Amazing Grace" and "Reckless Love" have become anthems for many believers across the globe.
Bethel Music's song "Holy Forever," which features lead vocals by Johnson and gospel legend CeCe Winans, was nominated for a Grammy this year for "Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song." The song, which Johnson and her husband wrote to the "beauty of the local church," also won "Song of the Year" at the 2024 Dove Awards.
"To see it go all around the world and be number one in the Church globally — it's just crazy," Johnson said. "I feel very on-brand for being Bethel Music. I'm very, very happy."
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Jenn Johnson
Originally published January 22, 2025.
