In early 2022, 25 worship leaders and writers met in Atlanta, GA for an ambitious but appointed gathering. Tasha Cobbs Leonard saw a need to provide a safe haven for worship leaders. A space to not only create, but to have authentic community and to be discipled.

Over a 36-hour period, the diverse group prayed and wrote together, then immediately recorded before an intimate audience of worshippers. The need has now created a movement— SANCTUARY Worship: a place for the prophetic creative.

Tell me about this writing retreat spearheaded by Tasha Cobbs that happened earlier this year - how did you all get involved?

Kenny: Pastor Tasha and Pastor Kenny created this safe space for creatives to come and fellowship, write, create, vibe and develop community. They invited a few worship leaders that they saw and the rest is history.

Enrique: Tasha has been my mentor for almost a decade now and I’ve been honored to be included on several initiatives that she has birthed. So, when she called me about Sanctuary, it was a no brainer!

I immediately felt that it was a God-thing!

What about the environment she created helped bring about meaningful worship songs?

Kira: When you’re in an environment with like minded people who love God and have no desire to compete with one another you’re bound to create songs that echo that sentiment. I also believe that the pairing of writers in each room was super intentional, and created a space for us to get to know each other through our creativity.

Breona: The environment was a safe place to operate in more than one way of gifting. If you’re “ known “ as a worship leader, the atmosphere pulled on the intercessor in you.

The people all came in with no titles, egos, or wrong motives but everyone came in with one goal and that was to please God.

Was there a value in just leaning in really hard and not having time to second guess lyrical / arrangement choices? How many songs came about in that time period?

Breona: There was so much value in this. I felt as if it helped you not second guess what God has given you in your personal time. But it also challenged you to think quickly and sharpened your ideas.

Chris: As creatives, I think we have a tendency to hold onto things until they’re perfect or they’re at a place that we want them to be and sometimes that can stifle our ability to even release something.

So there was value in not having that time to second guess and the beauty of co-writing with others is that collaboration can really make the song better.

Someone in the room may have an idea that they have been stuck on, and another person in the room could have the missing piece that brings it together.

Did you all experience any meaningful encounters with the Lord during Worship Together?

Enrique: Absolutely! Worship together was an amazing time with amazing people. Everyone was able to flow in their grace and Worship Together just affirmed that the hand of God is on Sanctuary.

Kira: Worship Together was FILLED with many meaningful encounters, but the one that sticks out the most is seeing such a diverse group of people focused solely on Jesus and freely worshiping him. With all that we’ve experienced in our communities and what seems like a never ending agenda to divide us because of what we look like, it was beautiful to see diversity be celebrated!!!

We experienced a glimpse of Heaven with every tribe and tongue together worshiping God.

I believe you all bridge the CCM and Gospel genre gap - why do you all think blurring those genre lines is important these days? Who else besides Mav City do you think are doing this today?

Kenny: I believe it to be a reflection of what heaven looks and sounds like. There are no separate rooms or segregated houses of worship in Heaven. This isn't new.

It's just us getting back to our original heavenly design.

I think there are many other multicultural musical offerings around today, hopefully it becomes the norm not the exception.

Chris: It’s important because it reflects the kingdom. The Church is made up of so many cultures, ethnicities, and expressions, and being able to bridge those things is very important. Of course, you have Maverick City who is having such an amazing impact in being a bridge. You also have to those who trailblazed it, like Israel Houghton and New Breed. You have artists like Pastor Tasha, Travis Greene, William McDowell, Todd Dulaney, Jonathan Traylor, Jonathan McReynolds and others who are doing that, as well.

Tell us about your debut single "Come To Jesus!"

Breona: “Come to Jesus” is life changing !!!!! It’s such a fresh sound. You’re able to hear the creative side of Sanctuary but also experience the power of God through the words .

It’s a transformative song.

We want people to know that you can come to Jesus just as you are and you’ll never be the same after that.

Chris: “Come to Jesus” is an appeal to nations, to receive the salvation that can only be found in Christ. It's the testimony of those of us who have tasted and seen that God is good. It’s not us repeating something that we’ve heard but it's something that we know. Come to Jesus, He can change you, and we know this because He has changed and transformed us. And shoutout to Blake, Emoni, and Kira who did such an amazing job leading it.

What better way for Sanctuary Worship to be introduced, than by introducing the one who really matters - and that’s Jesus.

SANCTUARY Worship