Back to the heart of worship – Interview with Matt Redman

Written by: Gillian Fraser
Article source: JOY! Magazine

For more than three decades, Matt Redman has helped shape the sound of modern worship across the globe. His songs have become anthems in churches on every continent – yet his heart remains focused on one thing: helping people see Jesus. As he prepares to return to South Africa this September for a series of worship nights, Matt reflects on reverence in worship, songwriting that holds to truth, and what it truly means to keep Christ at the centre.

Q. How do you stay spiritually grounded while travelling and leading worship across different nations and time zones?
I’ve loved the privilege of getting to see so many glimpses of what God is doing in the nations. I’ve travelled extensively through Europe and I’ve seen a lot of the USA – and quite a few other countries. I’ve never been to a country where I wasn’t hugely encouraged by how Jesus is building His Church. I remember landing in South Africa for the first time on my 21st birthday – and being so grateful that I got to experience the Church here.

But yes, your question about staying spiritually grounded – I think most of it is about not falling into the trap of making it about you. You have to take all the experiences – the stages and the lights – and at the end of the day get down on your knees and surrender it all to God. You have to constantly remind yourself who this whole thing is about, and who it’s not – because if you’re not careful, particularly in the really exciting moments, it can be easy to get disorientated.

At times I’m entrusted with something very beautiful – powerful and special moments – and it’s such an honour to get to do these things. But I try to get down on my knees at the end of each night when we’re touring and remind myself that it’s not for me and it’s not about me – and just offer every victory, every encouraging word, every blessing up to Jesus.

Q. What has the Lord been speaking to you about lately?
I’m thinking a lot about reverence. It’s not something that’s so prominent in society today, and we have to make sure we don’t lose sight of it in worship. We have to look in Scripture at the tone of what’s being said and sung around the heavenly throne – and make sure that same tone is reflected in our own songs and services too.

I’ve been hosting some day events we’re calling WOR/TH – and they’re all about fighting for that kind of tone in our worship. I like to say these events are about coming back to both the heart and the mind of worship. If we want to give God the highest praise, we’ve got to think high thoughts about Him. We’re doing some of these WOR/TH day seminars here in Cape Town and Pretoria, before the worship nights – and I’d love to encourage worship leaders and songwriters to come and bring their teams.

Q. Can you tell us about anything you are working on – a song, album, or project that is close to your heart?
I’ve just recorded a new live studio worship album in Nashville, USA. It’s my band and some string players and a gospel choir all in the room together – and it was such a wonderful time. I really hope we’ve captured something special and that these songs will help people see Jesus and sing to Him.

I love writing new songs – I’ve been doing this for decades and I feel like I still have so much passion for it – probably because the subject matter is just so good. When we look at Jesus, there’s always something new to see, and something new to say.

Matt Redman and his wife, Beth.

Q. When writing new songs, where do you usually begin – lyrics, melody, Scripture, or something else entirely?
It’s different for everyone, but for me it almost always starts with a lyrical idea. I kind of need to know what the theme is before I throw my heart into the process. So sometimes it’s a phrase, other times a straight Bible verse. Or it could sometimes even be just one word. But that’s the seed of the song – everything grows from there.

Q. Is there a particular song you’ve written that has impacted others in a way that surprised you?
Most of them have surprised me, to be honest. I think “10 000 Reasons” was the most surprising – just because it was such a simple song – no bridge, no pre-chorus, and written quite quickly. It was just four chords and some truth – and yet it somehow connected on a level that so many of my other songs hadn’t. The momentum definitely surprised me. I guess there are some things that God decides to breathe on, and so we can’t take credit for what happens.

Q. How do you approach writing songs that are both theologically sound and singable for local churches across the world?
I love that question – because both are so important. We want to fill our songs with deep truth, but we also want that truth to be presented in a way that is relatable, accessible – and like you say – singable.

We’ve just written a new sung version of the Nicene Creed – because this year is the 1700th anniversary of that amazing statement of faith. Obviously, there are so many concepts in that creed – so it was a real challenge to fit them into a song that is singable and resonates with people

I loved contending with that (with two good friends of mine from CityAlight, who write modern-day hymns) and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. It brought home that worship songwriter tension – that we want things to be singable and relatable – but we can never compromise on content. One of the most helpful things I ever heard is that, “Simple doesn’t have to mean shallow.” We can write songs that are deep, but that aren’t overly complicated or difficult to connect with.

Q. How has your understanding of worship changed?
I think the main switch was when I realised my main job wasn’t to help people to sing to Jesus – my main job was to help people see Jesus. That was a major change in how I approached the stage, or prepared a song list. I figured out that if you can present the glory and the grace of Christ in a compelling way, the singing side of things usually takes care of itself.

Q. With such a full schedule, how do you keep your heart tender and responsive to God’s presence each day?
I guess the same ways everyone else does. I would say the Psalms have been my biggest “go-to” through the years. They are so strengthening and comforting – and as a songwriter it amazes me we can read something a hymn writer wrote 3000 years ago and it goes straight to the heart, here in 2025.

We can become too familiar with that mystery, but that’s such an utterly stunning thing. Almost nothing in our lives today looks like what that psalmist’s life looked like – but as the psalmist fixed the eyes of his heart upon God, the songs he wrote became relevant through all generations. Amazing!

Matt Redman’s wife and five kids.

Q. You’ve been to South Africa before – what are some moments that stand out?
I first showed up in the mid-90s – flying into Durban. As I remember, it was in the middle of a heatwave, so an Englishman in Africa for the first time, I got quite a shock, ha.

I loved getting to travel around and get a taste of what the Church in South Africa was like. It’s always so encouraging when you show up thousands of miles from your homeland, in a whole different culture, and see the Kingdom of God in action, and the Gospel at work.

Some of the highlights were those early visits where we’d run youth conferences and minister alongside bands like Tree63 and M.I.C. There was such a passion for Christ in those rooms – and a sense of a generation finding a new song.

Then there was a whole other season when I got to be part of the Passion college events here – including at the soccer stadium in Cape Town. Again, it was just so compelling to see a generation of young South African worshippers with an anthem on their lips, and in their hearts.

One of the other highlights was coming to South Africa around the time that my “10 000 Reasons” song had just released. I remember we started into the piano intro of that song, and the whole room erupted into cheers and applause. The song hadn’t been out for too long, so I couldn’t believe it had arrived there before us – and was already resonating in the Church here.

Q. What are you most looking forward to as you prepare for the worship nights in Cape Town and Pretoria?
I’m carrying some extra excitement because I haven’t been there for a while. South Africa will always hold a special place in my heart – so it will be worth the 24-hour journey!

We’re going to sing some old songs and a couple of new ones, and I can’t wait to be in the room with everyone, adoring the Saviour together. I’m so overjoyed to be back – it’s been a while!

As well as the worship nights, as already mentioned, I’m also excited about the daytime WOR/TH worship and theology seminars – and the opportunity to connect with worship leaders and their teams. But to be honest, anyone with a big heart for worship can attend those daytime events too – you don’t have to be a worship leader!

Q. For someone coming to one of your worship nights who feels far from God, what would you say?
I would encourage you to believe His promise when God said that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. That’s a phenomenal exchange. The promise is that even if you take the smallest step towards Him, He will respond. So I’d encourage you to use one of these worship nights as a step in that direction.

FACT FILE:

Where are you currently based?
Orange County, California, USA.

one thing we might not expect about you?
I’m completely inept at changing guitar strings, ha.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music and ministry?
My kids and I are big Liverpool supporters – it’s rare we miss a game on the TV, and every couple of years, when we’re in England, we get to see them play live. Cody Gakpo’s “I Belong to Jesus” moment at the end of this last season was a huge, joyful moment for us!

What is your favourite meal?
Sushi – especially if we’re near the ocean.

A Scripture that has meant a lot to you
Ephesians 5:10, “Find out what pleases the Lord.”

Favourite place for writing songs
A friend has converted a trailer to a studio – and he’ll park it next to the ocean. It’s the most inspiring environment for songwriting – especially with the doors open and the ocean breeze – stunning!

One thing you TAKE on tour
An anti-inflammatory throat syrup – especially when we’re singing a few nights in a row.

A worship song that you never grow tired of hearing or singing?
“Alpha and Omega” – by Erasmus Mutambira – it carries such a sense of reverence.

Coffee or tea?
I love a double espresso. But tea is great too – as long as it’s Earl Grey!

Matt will be touring to South Africa this September (10-13). Visit Quicket to purchase tickets.

This article is featured in the August issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za

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Date published: 28/08/2025
Feature image: Matt Redman | Photo Credit: Lee Steffen

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