Yancy is a worship leader, songwriter and producer of hundreds of songs that make Jesus loud. Her Dove Award-winning music is all the things kids love and everything adults value. She is a powerhouse at leading and teaching kids from birth to preteen how to worship and creates popular worship resources for churches and homes around the world.

This year, Yancy is celebrating 25 years of music. We asked her about this milestone, her new remix produced by Colony House’s Will Chapman, and what’s next!

Yancy! Thank you for joining us for another interview about Kids Ministry. You are such an integral leader in this space, and we’re grateful to spotlight this area of ministry as worship teams prep for the Fall.

Before we dive into specifics, tell us what’s been on your heart / what have you been learning lately in regards to leading kids in worship, whether practical or pastoral?

Thanks so much for having me. I’m grateful to have this conversation.

Coming off a bunch of summer events leading kids in worship I can say that I’ve never been more convinced of the importance of worship discipleship in our congregations. Watching what happens in the span of these multi-day events is the equivalent of a couple months of Sundays. Session by session I break down what worship is and how they take part in it. It’s amazing what leading them intentionally does to grow their understanding and therefore engagement.

I feel like I’m in a season of reminding church leaders what could and can be: telling dry bones to come alive as church leaders and awaken to this idea of raising up every generation within their church to be the worshiper God created them to be. I take this area of discipleship very seriously.

This year, I’ve had a few interactions with some once-upon-a-time fans of mine that are now grown up.

I think hearing from those now adults what my music meant to them or how they learned to fall in love with worship because of what I do was of course humbling but also a beautiful reminder. Every testimony is number one: proof that they grow up and what I do matters. But number two, it reminds me that this works.

Planting God’s Word in the hearts of kids through songs isn’t just a nice idea, but it works and bears fruit. As they enter new seasons as student ministry pastors, missionaries and parents themselves (and bearing fruit themselves), the ripple of impact gets bigger and bigger. This inspires me to keep going!

Tell us about the new remix you just released “Super Wonderful” with Will Chapman (son of Steven Curtis Chapman & drummer for Colony House). How did your son inspire this one and how was he a part of the release?

My son Sparrow inspired me to write the song “Super Wonderful.”

When he was little he was obsessed with superheroes and dressed up as his favorites all day long, every day. So for the project I was working on at the time I had the idea to write a “superhero” themed song about the greatest superhero of all time. Especially in the last handful of years, that song has become one of the crowd favorite songs. It’s always a party and a highlight moment to watch a group engage and participate with this special song.

Earlier this year I had the idea to have Will remix the song. So I sent him a message and he got to work. It was fun to imagine the song in a new way. I’ve had a blast leading the “Funky Franklin Remix” version this summer and providing some variation on theme.

Leading a song that is already a favorite, but also with a new sonic landscape and video. Sparrow is now twelve years old and over the last year has grown in his art ability. He does a lot of graffiti artwork illustrations. I comissioned Sparrow to do the artwork for the single of the “Super Wonderful (Funky Franklin Remix)”. His art for it is also on a t-shirt and has now become my fastest selling t-shirt ever.

It’s a pretty special thing as a mom to realize that God has given him this art talent and ability but also, how because of his life, I wrote this song about our “super big, strong and wonderful God.” And now, thousands around the world are singing along and this truth is being etched on their heart.

You recently worked on a new kid’s musical for Christmas. Why do you think children’s musicals tend to get a bad rap, and how do you think audiences can uniquely experience the presence of God through theatre?

Yes, I did. It was an opportunity God dropped in my lap. I wasn’t seeking it out or looking for it, but once the opportunity presented itself it was an easy “yes”. I love Christmas music. So, the idea to get to write and dream up an idea from a blank page was a lot of fun. Truthfully, I have very little experience in this genre but I understand church, ministry and how to write songs for kids. Thankfully Lillenas Music gave me freedom to be me and create this musical. Whether it be a musical or kids music I think it can get a bad rap because people think that just because it’s for kids it doesn’t have to be great music or production. It shouldn’t be nails on a chalkboard audio. I try really hard in the things I create to write catchy pop hooks and make great music period. The fact that it’s for kids is most identifiable in the lyrics, repetition or arrangement. But, at the end of the day I’m trying to make great music period. I believe that music moves people. In theater you’re expanding the story and details of what you’re communicating. People are able to see themselves in a particular character and connect in a deeper way. Thinking of this medium on the calendar of a church, the greatest win to me are the family members who will show up to see a grandchild, niece or nephew be in a play that don’t normally go to church. Planting seeds and being able to share the gospel with them is an opportunity I don’t want to take for granted. Any time we can help families connect with each other and make memories centered around fun and Jesus, it’s a win for me.

You are celebrating 25 years of music and ministry this year. Congratulations! Your entire career has been independent. What advice would you give any worship artist who’s wanting to be their own team?

Thank you! It’s been a fun journey for sure. God is oh so faithful.

I have been independent the whole time which is crazy to think about. Many artists have come and gone throughout those twenty-five years and yet here I am still getting to make music and do it as my job. I’m incredibly grateful for that. God has placed people in my life throughout the years to help and certainly open up certain doors on my behalf.

The biggest thing I could share is it’s so important to know what it is that God has called you to do.

If I reflect on the journey, there were certain deals I turned down back in the day because of obedience. They didn’t always make a ton of sense in the moment but I gave God my obedience and years later it made sense why. Knowing who you are as an artist and what it is that God has called you to contribute helps you distinguish what is a good idea and what’s God opportunity. Not becoming some type of artist or band that the label wants to have on their roster just so you can get a deal. To quote Eddie DeGarmo who I admire so much “Success is obedience.”

Giving God my yes to do what He has called me to is always worth it.

I’m reading Scott Brickell’s book right now about the music business and would highly recommend to anyone feeling called to that space to just learn more how it works. I feel like in the current spaces of mostly singles being released to DSP’s and all the social media it’s a busier time than ever to be an independent artist.

There is a lot of work you will do, behind the scenes. So many task that have nothing to do with making music. Being on stage is just the cherry on top to a lot of other tasks. Don’t be afraid to work really hard and always make it look and sound the very best that you can. People compliment my branding often. I’ve always had doors open for me because I didn’t look and sound like an independent artist so it’s really a Biblical principle for at work. "Whatever you do, do it with all your heart!"

You mentioned that you feel like even though you’re 25 years into this, you feel like you’re just getting started in many ways. What’s next?

The last few years has been a really special season for me. I wrote a book about kids worship. I won a Dove Award. I released a worship curriculum churches can use to teach their kids about worship and now the musical.

I think I’m more certain of who I am and what God has called me to do now than ever.

I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of the potential that is there to help Christian parents and Church leaders have amazing kids music. I know I have more music in me….with a few more kids worship resources to release this fall. I have some more books I want to write as soon as I can create time to write them. I want to help kids fall more in love with Jesus one song at a time. I have some big dreams I haven’t seen come true yet, so stay tuned, but I know God has more for me to do as I make Jesus loud.

Yancy