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Episode 103

The Highways of Worship: A Conversation with Jonathan Brown

People Sing Their Own Songs Loudest

In the latest episode of The Walk podcast, we sat down with Jonathan Brown, Chief Global Officer of David C. Cook and former President of Integrity Music. Their conversation delved deep into the role of worship music in uniting the global Church, Jonathan’s journey in worship music, and the opportunities and challenges facing worship movements across the world.

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A Global Vision for Worship

Jonathan Brown’s leadership in the worship space is well recognized, particularly for his efforts in amplifying worship music beyond national and cultural boundaries. As the Chief Global Officer of David C. Cook, he plays a pivotal role in helping worship songs reach international audiences. “Music is a universal language,” Jonathan said, “It has the ability to break down walls and unify people from different backgrounds.”

Jonathan’s passion for global worship stems from his early career experiences in the UK and with worship bands like Delirious, where he saw the power of music to open hearts and minds. His journey has taken him from working with artists to facilitating worship movements around the world.

The Shift from Individual to Global Worship

Jonathan discussed how worship music has evolved from focusing on the individual worship leader to incorporating worship bands. His time with Delirious in the early 2000s played a major role in shaping his understanding of global worship. Traveling with the band allowed him to witness how worship music could transcend national and cultural borders, inspiring him to focus on uniting the Church through worship.

One of the key moments in his journey was when he realized the deep connection people had with their own “heart songs.” He shared a powerful reflection about seeing people sing their own songs with deep emotion, particularly when those songs were in their own language and context.

Unifying the Global Church Through Worship

The conversation also highlighted Jonathan’s approach to finding and amplifying worship songs from other cultures. The success of songs like Waymaker by Sinach, which originated in Nigeria, shows the potential for worship songs from different parts of the world to impact the global Church. Jonathan noted that songs like Alpha and Omega from Zimbabwe and How Great Thou Art*, which originated in Sweden, have long histories of uniting the Church globally.

Elvis How Great Thou Art   Gaither How Great Thou Art   George Beverly Shae How Great Thou Art

For Jonathan, the key is recognizing that worship songs can travel both ways. “A highway has two lanes,” he remarked, indicating that the exchange of worship music between nations is not just one-directional. This two-way flow is at the heart of his mission to help facilitate the movement of worship songs around the world.

The Role of Technology in Worship

Joshua and Jonathan also discussed the role of technology in modern worship movements. With the digital revolution, Jonathan believes we now have more opportunities than ever to discover and share worship songs from all corners of the globe. Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube allow worship leaders and artists to share their songs with a global audience almost instantly.

However, Jonathan also acknowledged the challenges of sifting through the vast amount of music available. The task for worship leaders is not just to find new songs but to discern which ones resonate deeply with the character and attributes of Christ, and which songs are meant for a broader, global audience versus those for local congregations.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Jonathan sees great opportunities ahead for global worship, particularly in recognizing the unique worship expressions coming from local churches worldwide. He believes there is a growing curiosity and openness among worship leaders in affluent areas to engage with the stories and songs being birthed in other nations.

One of the greatest opportunities, Jonathan noted, is the shift toward a posture of servanthood within the global Church. He emphasized that worship movements should focus on serving one another rather than seeking influence. By preferring one another and collaborating across cultures, Jonathan believes the Church can become more beautiful and unified in its worship.

As he reflected on his experiences, Jonathan shared that his daily prayer is for wisdom to navigate the complex challenges of leading in a global worship movement. In a world full of knowledge, it is wisdom, he said, that helps us apply that knowledge in ways that serve the body of Christ.

Final Thoughts

Jonathan Brown’s insights remind us of the power of worship to unite the global Church. His leadership in amplifying worship songs from around the world has opened doors for countless artists and worship leaders to impact people far beyond their local contexts. As we look ahead, the challenge remains to continue fostering these connections while remaining faithful to the core message of the gospel.

For those inspired by Jonathan’s work and heart for global worship, he encouraged listeners to pray for wisdom for leaders like him as they navigate this exciting, but complex, landscape of global worship.

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Who Is Jonathan Brown

Jonathan Brown (better known as JB) joined Integrity Music, David C Cook’s global music division, in 2012 as vice president of international and general manager (European division). In 2017 he became president of Integrity Music and was named chief global officer in 2024.

Throughout his career, JB has worked with artists and songwriters like Rend Collective, Tim Hughes of Worship Central, Martin Smith, Matt Redman and Stuart Townend. JB held posts at Word Records (UK) before forming Fierce! Distribution and was part of the team that established global platforms for artists such as Delirious?, Graham Kendrick, Moya Brennan and others.

JB is a focused, passionate and highly energized marketing creative, with a heart to curate and amplify worship songs and artistry for every tribe, nation and tongue. His heart’s desire is to facilitate highways around the world for songs to travel beyond their own language and national boundaries.

Beyond the titles, accolades and achievements, JB is most energized by helping people worldwide know the revelation and presence of God. In JB, you’ll find someone who is just as likely to bring strategy to an idea as he is to shed tears when a song connects with his heart.

JB and his wife, Jenny, their four children and dog relocated from the U.K. to Nashville, Tenn., in 2017.

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