
"For every revival a voice that penetrates the darkness is raised up. I have never heard a clearer voice to this generation nor a purer channel than Jason Upton. In my generation a Keith Green was raised up with a lion’s roar. The lion can be heard again in the sound and lyrics of this young prophet." - Lou Engle (The Call)
Compared musically, lyrically and spiritually to an early Keith Green, and through his coupling of strong musical talent with rare spiritual passion, Jason Upton is making an impact upon today’s culture and a marked difference in the lives of those who listen like few artists have done before.
Jason Upton is not an artist, not a man who lives to perform. Jason Upton is a man who solely expresses his love for God through his music. He is minister, a prophet, a voice for this generation. Jason Upton delivers a message through his music which is an expression of his heart, his crying out of his prayers to God more than it is a “showcase” for anyone who listens – Jason’s music, though an incredibly creative and brilliant expression of his rare talents on FAITH, is one of the most unique projects that has ever been heard. Jason’s music is clearly as unto the Lord, and not unto man.
Jason’s passion comes directly from his relationship with God, but also through his personal experience and life of growing up in the church and through God’s Spirit, becoming a broken vessel, poured out and used by God for himself and for those who listen.
“The church can be harder than the world.” states Jason. “Many times we do things directed to other people, to please them and to ‘prove’ something to them, and this is not from God. Even Christians, especially Christians can be caught in trying to please man and to perform for him, when our worship and expression of our faith should only and always be to and for God and never unto man.”
Adopted as a child, Jason a prolific songwriter, piano player and singer grew up began singing in churches at the age of 15, doing what he believed God had called him to do at the time. Yet, shortly after marrying his wife Rachel in 1995, the two had an encounter with God that would change their lives, and the lives of all who would hear Jason’s music forever. Through this experience, they together gained a freedom and a passion for God which can only be gained through complete surrender, an honest weakness and a realization of brokenness before the Father, knowing that we are nothing within ourselves, but only have identity with and through Christ. Living for God and not for man. For Jason, this daily becomes a reality, and finds its expression through every song he writes.
While in college at Regent University, finishing their Masters of Divinity programs, Jason & Rachael set up a worship room in their home where they regularly gathered with other worshippers to pray and intercede. It was during these times that they realized that the songs that God was giving them during worship were not simply songs but keys that would open and shut doors in the spirit.
“As I read the Old Testament, it amazes me to see how all of the battles documented there were won from weakness. God cannot use us if we are not on our knees, and giving our strength and power to Him,” says Jason. “That weakness can only come from pouring out our lives to Him, crying out to God for the battles and for this generation.”
Through his daily outpouring of his life to God, seeking for God’s strength through his own weakness, Jason writes from his heart and times of worship with God.
FAITH was recorded live on three separate nights during times of worship and ministry. What happened on these nights of ministry is what makes up the recording. The songs represent songs given to Jason about Faith and the valleys and victories that make up our Faith.
The title cut on the record, “Faith,” is what Jason calls a spirit song, given to Jason and the band during a time of worship through the Spirit. Prior to recording FAITH, the song had not been written, rehearsed or discussed: According to Jason, this is a song directly from God about Faith.
Jason has quickly become one of the spiritual voices for this generation, simply through being on his knees and pouring out his love for God through his music. Listening to Jason is a worship experience, it is not a performance, concert or showcase of his talents, but a joining in with those who listen to express worship to God, and to cry out to Him for salvation, humility and brokenness before Him.
Through his ministry, Jason has been given a passion for the church and its strategies versus those of the world. “It is incredible how the world has such strategies for reaching people for its purposes, but we in the church often have no strategies or ideas to reach others for Christ or to communicate our faith and passion for God. We have got to have strategies to reach out world and to go to battle through humility and brokenness before God. If we love God we will do this and will have strategies for this cause.”