Maranatha! Music: The Soundtrack of a Spiritual Awakening

The 1970s saw a major shift in Christian music, as worship began to move beyond traditional hymns and embrace the sounds of contemporary rock and folk. At the center of this transformation was Maranatha! Music, a record label that not only captured the energy of the Jesus Movement but also reshaped worship music for generations to come.

The Birth of a Movement

Maranatha! Music emerged from the Jesus People Movement, a spiritual revival that swept across the U.S. in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This movement, sparked at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, attracted thousands of young people—many from the hippie counterculture—who were seeking deeper meaning and truth. Under the leadership of Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel became a place where these seekers encountered the Gospel and a new style of worship.

At the heart of this movement was music. Bands like Love Song, Children of the Day, and solo artists like Karen Lafferty helped pioneer what became known as “Jesus music.” Their songs combined biblical truth with the sounds of rock and folk, speaking directly to the hearts of a generation.

The Birth of Maranatha! Music

In 1971, Pastor Chuck Smith and the musicians at Calvary Chapel saw the need to record and share this new music. From this vision, Maranatha! Music was born. Named after the Aramaic word meaning “Come, Lord,” the label captured the hope and longing for Christ’s return—a central theme in the Jesus Movement.

The label’s first release, The Everlastin’ Living Jesus Music Concert, showcased the raw, authentic worship that flowed from Calvary Chapel. It introduced a sound that was bold, fresh, and distinctly different from the traditional church music of the time, featuring electric guitars, drums, and deeply personal lyrics.

The Rise of Praise Music

Maranatha! Music soon became synonymous with the rise of “Praise and Worship” music, a style that would come to dominate evangelical churches worldwide. Chuck Fromm, former CEO of Maranatha! Music, described this new music as the “New Song” mentioned in Scripture—a fresh, contemporary expression of worship that resonated with both young people and the broader Church.

Under Fromm’s leadership, the label expanded, releasing songbooks and launching projects like the Psalms Alive! series. This series brought the ancient words of the Psalms into modern music, allowing worshipers to sing Scripture in a way that felt immediate and relevant. Maranatha! Music became a bridge that connected generations of Christians, creating a shared language of worship through music.

A Lasting Legacy

By the 1980s and 1990s, the music pioneered by Maranatha! Music had spread far beyond the Jesus Movement. Churches of all denominations began incorporating contemporary worship songs into their services, and the Praise and Worship genre became a global phenomenon. Songs like “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” and “As the Deer”—both popularized by Maranatha!—are still sung by millions around the world.

Maranatha! Music’s influence extended beyond music; it helped shape modern worship itself. The label brought a new approach to worship that was both biblically grounded and culturally relevant, bridging the gap between the Church and the changing world around it.

A Profound Contribution to Worship Music

Maranatha! Music’s contribution to worship is profound. From its early days at Calvary Chapel to becoming a worldwide force in worship music, the label played a key role in shaping how modern Christians engage in worship. Its legacy continues to inspire worship leaders today, reminding us that true worship is about expressing our hearts authentically before God, in both tradition and innovation.

As we look ahead, Maranatha! Music stands as a model for how worship can be fresh, relevant, and deeply spiritual. It teaches us that worship is not about clinging to the past or chasing trends, but about creating space for people to encounter God in a way that speaks to their time, culture, and lives.

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Lexi Fromm

Lexi Fromm has an MA in Education and is the President of Worship Leader. Her professional experience includes working on initiatives related to industry innovation, media communications, learning & development, culture building, organization design, technology adoptions and HR operations. Alexandra has consistently demonstrated the ability to adapt quickly and has headed the successful transition of leadership of WL Media, the magazine, the conference, and all things Worship Leader from Chuck Fromm, the founder, into this new partnership under the Authentic Media banner. Her excellent relational skills and determination for change has already had a lasting impact.