The late Rich Mullins, one of Christian music’s most prolific songwriters, once penned, “Well the other side of the world/Is not so far away as I thought that it was/As I thought that it was so far away.” For acclaimed Canadian-born worship leader and singer/songwriter Dan Macaulay, his world indeed grew a little smaller last year after spending a week teaching and mentoring up-and-coming worship leaders and pastors in Malaysia. His first trip to the literal “other side of the world,” Dan’s experience was a life-changing opportunity to see his global brothers and sisters in Christ—and his own music—in a fresh new light.
“I was so moved the first time I stepped into one of the worship services and saw people living on the exact opposite side of the world, loving and worshipping the same Jesus that I love and worship,” he recalls. “How incredible it was to meet these students, many of whom originate from Muslim countries, some refugees from Myanmar, and some whose commute to class was up to three hours a day, much of that walking. I shared everything I could think to give them, from practical, to spiritual, to theological.”
For a week, Dan served as a teacher and worship leader at The School Of The Acts, near Kuala Lumpur. No doubt his students were in good hands; Dan’s knowledge flows from a wealth of experiences both in and out of the spotlight. A two-time GMA Canada Covenant Award nominee and 2007 Canadian Shai (people’s choice) Award recipient for both Worship Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, two of Dan’s #1 singles ranked among 2009’s most played on Canadian Christian radio. By contrast, he also directs the large, multi-faceted worship ministry at Greenwich, Connecticut’s Harvest Time Church, and now resides permanently in the States with his wife and young son.
Setting foot back on North American soil after such an experience in Malaysia affected Dan’s approach to his own music in a profound way. “Everything we have comes from Him, passes through our hands, and is ultimately meant to be used to bring Him glory,” Dan shares. “I think that sums up what worship is: More than singing, it’s taking our gifts, our talents, our day to day life, and stewarding it all for His glory. It’s returning it to Him with interest.”
To that end, Dan’s much-anticipated latest offering, From You For You, is directly inspired by Romans 11:36, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!” Writing or co-writing 10 of the project’s 11 tracks, ironically one of the most meaningful songs for Dan is the one he didn’t pen.
“‘Breathe in Me’ was written by Michael W. Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick,” Dan explains. “And yet it is still one of the most personal for me on the album. I can think of so many times those words have been my prayer.” Taking an even more personal turn, Smith himself co-produced and plays piano on the powerfully moving track, which is a worshipful plea for renewed intimacy with the Father.
“Working with Michael W. Smith was definitely a highlight of making this album and a dream come true for me,” Dan says. “I’ve been a fan for 23 years, and he has influenced my music greatly. They say you should never meet your hero because you'll be disappointed. We broke the rules and spent the day with a hero, and we were far from disappointed.”
In addition to Smith’s contribution, From You For You is helmed by some of Christian music’s best and brightest. Keith Everette Smith (Chicago, Meredith Andrews), Nathan Nockels (Christy Nockels, Tim Hughes) and Bryan Lenox (Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans) round out a list of acclaimed producers who helped bring to life the accessible melodies and message-driven lyrics that have become Dan’s signature. From songs like “Your Kindness” and “Permanent,” proving God’s love even amidst our failures; to “Listening” and “In Awe,” extolling His ultimate goodness; to the title track and “Win With Love,” humbling reminders that we are to do everything for God’s glory, the album broadly samples the unique and engaging praise & worship experience audiences throughout North America have come to love and expect from Dan for more than a decade now.
“I feel like there are many songs on this album that speak directly to today’s climate,” Dan says. “I've been leading ‘Saving Grace’ for several years now as I travel, and I have had some fantastic ministry times surrounding this song. The line, ‘You've brought me this far I know/You'll lead me all the way home/And Your faithfulness won't let me go’ has been powerful in people's lives already. I love to take these moments and encourage people from Philippians 1:6 that ‘…He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it…’ What an encouragement that can be while we are walking through tough, uncertain times!”
Whether he’s at home at Harvest Time Church, traveling the US and Canada as an itinerant worship leader, or sharing his expertise with students in Malaysia, Dan has seen firsthand just how much smaller the world can grow in the light of the One who unites us all. “Leading worship these days is better than ever,” he says. “What an exciting time in history we live in. I believe God is using the uncertain to heighten our awareness of the One certain thing that we desperately need more than ever—Him. I'm just helping people see that, make the connection, and turn their focus on Him to carry them through.”
