Brian & Jenn Johnson: After All These Years
I got a chance to chat with Brian Johnson about the new album he and his wife released, After All These Years. Brian and Jenn Johnson have done many compilations with well-known artists over the years and they are worship leaders at Bethel Church in Redding, California and founders of Bethel Music and WorshipU. Their album, After All These Years, is their first solo release album together in over 10 years.
Brian says, “I think with this album, it’s not as much about being wowed by something but about being honest and raw.” He says, “We purposely, on many occasions, decided to keep things the way they were – even a vocal that’s not perfect.”
Have you ever asked what is the purpose of worship? Do worship leaders ever share about their own personal struggles? Have you been turned off from God because of what someone did? Did you know that worship can help with anxiety and depression? Brian shared answers to these questions and more. Be sure to click each of the links below to hear the actual interview.
What inspired you to write this album?
Brian explained, “The idea of doing an album after all these years is the title of the album, After All These Years, because of what happened throughout these past ten years. In this interview Brian shared openly and honestly about his nervous breakdown and other experiences that inspired their lyrics and compositions. Be sure to listen to the audio clip.
What got you through your nervous breakdown?
Have you wondered if celebrities ever have struggles? And how do they overcome them? Brian shared with me about his own nervous breakdown and said that he had to “go deep with God.” Listen to what he shared in this clip of the interview.
How do you think worshiping God and seeking God can help with anxiety and depression?
Brian said, “I think it’s like a reset button, your phone gets bogged down and starts acting weird and you got to reset it. I think we are the same way. I think it brings things back in the appropriate perspective and balance.”
In honesty Brian shared this with me, “In my case, I hit a wall. I got put in the hospital that day, I just couldn’t breathe, the emotional and spiritual became physical. I can coin this phrase, but consider it a gift when God becomes your only option. There is a point in all of our lives where God becomes the only option. The beautiful thing is when nothing works and we have one option with God. That’s what happened. It’s terrible, but at the same time the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Why do you think worship is so important?
Brian believes, “The beautiful thing about worship is there is a progression sometimes, it’s like processing, like insecurity processing doubt…leading us into those moments, but God you were faithful here, you were faithful there. I can’t feel or see, but I’m going to take a step of faith right now and sing out that I trust you.”
What’s the inspiration with the song, You’re Gonna Be Okay?
Jenn wrote this song and Brian shared that, “She wrote it for a few of her friends, almost prophetic, declaring over them, prophesying: I’m seeing something, I’m feeling something from the heart of God that I know that you don’t know and you’re not feeling, but I’m just telling you right now, with the authority of heaven, you’re going to be okay.”
Is there something you would say to someone who is a non-believer or who has not been exposed to much worship music or this kind of music?
Brian said this, “I just feel there are so many distractions and things that get in the way of a pure relationship with God. And it’s actually not complicated. It’s quite simple.There is a Creator that created everything and sent His son. When we approach that, almost with a clean slate and just say: God if you are real, speak to me, if you are real, reveal yourself to me. I believe God will always reveal himself to a hungry heart, to someone that knows that they are not God, to someone that really, genuinely wants to know their Creator.”
If you are struggling with making a connection with God, Brian shared this, “When I had my nervous breakdown, I had to connect with God as if I was on a deserted island for the rest of my life with nobody else there. I know that there has to be something that’s bigger than me that holds this world together. You look at science, it’s amazing what it takes for things to grow and live. When you approach God from that point of view you will find God as clear as day. I think keeping your relationship with God is just as important. Approaching God as if, that sacred time with Him, that sacred moment, is a big deal.”
I believe God will always reveal himself to a hungry heart. @brianjohnsonM Click To TweetConnect with Brian and Jenn Johnson: http://brianandjennjohnson.com/
Does anything Brian said challenge your way of thinking or did anything he say make an impact on you? Please leave us a comment below.
Rachel & TheHopeLine Team
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If you are dealing with stress and anxiety, like Brian has, to get help, download your free eBook today.
I have never heard them before until this email. I listened to You’re Gonna Be Ok on this page, and it spoke so deeply and heavily to me. My husband and I lost our baby girl, on March 8. It was the day before my scheduled C-section, I went in for no movement and they didn’t find a heartbeat. I would love to hear more of their music.
Thank you for your letting us know your story. We are so sorry for the loss of your baby girl and can not imagine the heartache and pain you’ve been experiencing. We are glad you have found comfort in the song You’re Gonna Be OK. You and your husband are in our thoughts and prayers.
Would love to win a copy of this CD and use it to worship and reconnect with God. Thanks for all you guys do!!
Meagan, Thanks for your comment! We’ll announce the winners on Monday!
As a mom, struggling every day to connect with my daughter who is struggling, it wears me down. So much that I feel empty. This morning was the perfect time for me to hear this interview and listen to the music.
Barb, Thank you for your comment! We’re so glad you were inspired by Brian and Jenn’s music.
Whenever I feel lost and take the time to listen to worship music, it really helps me to steady my emotions and reconnect with God’s peace.
Ellie, Thank you for your comment!
I would love a chance to win the cd. It’s a everyday struggle sometimes worse then others. And music truly helps. Thank you.
Hi Amy, Thank you for your comment. Life can be tough! We’re here if you ever need to talk.
What an awesome song! Really liked it.
Hi Adrian! It is an amazing song. Thank you for commenting.
Music like theirs helped me through the mourning stage of my grandpa’s death, thank you hopeline
Thank you for your comment. We are so sorry for the loss of your grandpa. If you ever need to request prayer we have a site that prayer champions will pray for you at http://www.theprayerzone.com
This was a very special piece for me to read and listen to. I connected as soon as I read “The beautiful thing is when nothing works and we have one option with God.”
After I was raped in college, I withdrew and was barely able to function. I had fallen away from the church that I grew up in. It wasn’t until two of my friends came to me with an offer to join their Bible study that I started to heal. The passage my friend gave me the night I told her what happened after I had gone to the police and had been told nothing coluld be done as I laid next to her her in tears was this:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Your story touches my core. Hearing this then would have been wonderful. I understand that feeling of no options, but the one who ultimately saved me is the only option. I will always remember that the Lord will always walk with us. When there is but one set of footprints in the sand, it is when the Lord is carrying us because we cannot walk ourselves. Thank you for sharing this touching interview.
Katie, What a beautiful testimony and bible verse of hope! We are so glad that you are overcoming what happened to you in college and that you know you are not alone in your walk. You are amazing!
It would be so amazing if I could get a cd. All of my life I have been in hospitals in excruciating pain daily and Bethel’s music has given me such a hope to keep looking forward and knowing that through God all things are possible. Not too long ago I am healed, I have no more pain daily,and I can go to school pain free. Thank you everything you do for have such an impact in my life!
Jonathan, Thank you for your kind words about us. You have been through much in your life. It is a blessing to read your story and we are so thankful to hear about your healing! May God continue to bless you in the days to come.
Amazing interview, very happy to have read it
Thank you so much, Kayla! We are glad you liked to read it.