Written by: Gillian Fraser
Article source: JOY! Magazine
As lead vocalist of the globally celebrated band We Are Messengers, Darren Mulligan is no stranger to both the highs and challenges that come with success in the Christian music industry. Despite their growing acclaim, including multiple number-one singles and gold records, Darren remains grounded, focusing on the deeper call of his music: to reach the broken and bring hope through Jesus. In this candid interview, Darren shares his personal testimony, the inspiration behind their powerful songs, and the band’s excitement for their upcoming South African tour, “Where the Joy Is”. Join us as we discover more about his journey of faith, the joy that fuels his ministry, and the heart behind We Are Messengers’ mission to serve through music.
Congratulations on your recent nomination at the K-Love Awards! How did it feel to be recognised as one of the best groups, and what does this nomination mean to you?
We’ve been truly blessed. God has been so kind to us. We’ve just found out that we received another gold record this week – our second in two years. We’ve had number-one singles and awards, and while these are kind gestures, I don’t consider them the real blessings. The true blessing from God is that my wife still holds my hand, and that my children follow Jesus. God’s kindness is that He allows me to do something I love with an audience I love. But it’s not the awards or applause that help me sleep at night; it’s the goodness of God. I’m grateful for the honour, but our music is designed to serve our audience and remind them of God’s goodness. Awards are nice, but I always say, give me Jesus.
We are just normal men and women in our team. We know what we’ve been saved from, and it would be foolish to think we’re more important than the people God sends us to. We stay grounded through our local churches, communities, and families who love Jesus, which helps keep our egos in check.
Your testimony has touched many lives. Can you share more of your story and how it has influenced the music and message of We Are Messengers?
We write songs for messy, broken people – those wrestling with doubt, loneliness, heartache, and mental health. We’re not typically a Sunday morning band; we’re more of a Friday night band for the outsiders. That was my life until I was 27, when Jesus found me. I grew up in a religious family in Ireland, but we didn’t know Jesus. As a teenager, I became promiscuous, a drunk, and violent. My wife, who had a radical encounter with Jesus before we got married, led me to Him. Jesus transformed our lives. I was once lost, but now I’m found. Jesus saved me, and now we sing songs for His glory all over the world because we love God and His people.
How have you seen your music impact people who are marginalised and struggling?
Messy, broken people aren’t just those who don’t know Jesus; there are many within the Church. Following Jesus is hard and messy. I’ve wrestled with depression and anxiety, so I understand firsthand what it’s like to struggle. Our music has become a lifeline for many – people struggling with suicide, single mothers, prisoners. Our music has been a way to point them to Jesus, offering hope to those who had none.
Your upcoming ‘Where the Joy Is’ tour is highly anticipated. What are you most excited about as you prepare to bring your music to audiences in South Africa?
I’ve met a lot of South Africans over the years, and they have this infectious joy. I didn’t fully understand it until I found that joy in Jesus. For years, I was caught in depression and loneliness, but now the joy of the Lord is my strength. I want to share that joy with South Africans and remind them, just as we do in Ireland, that the unity of God’s people commands a blessing. God’s people are diverse, but in Jesus, we are one.
The joy of the Lord is with us, even in the darkest times. We’re not coming to South Africa as strangers to pain, but we’ve found that joy in Jesus. That joy helps us forgive, love, and keep going. It’s my hope for South Africa that they will see and feel that joy.
This tour is all about joy and worship. What can fans expect from your performances during this tour?
They can expect lots of laughter, dancing, clapping, and praising. We’re not going to pretend – we’re real people serving a real God. It’ll be a place where anyone can come and feel welcome. We’re praying for unity and hope. We want this to be more than just a concert; we’re expecting God to do something astounding in people’s lives. I’ve been all over the world but never to South Africa, so I’m really excited.
We Are Messengers has a distinctive sound that has been shaped by many collaborations. How do these collaborations come about, and how do they influence your music?
I love my band and my team. We’re a diverse group, and we do this in unity. Collaborations happen with people who understand the heart of the song. For example, Cory Asbury featured on Come What May because he’s someone who trusts in God. I want people who believe every word they sing. We don’t need more Christian singers saying things they don’t truly believe. We’re messengers first, musicians second.
You’ve spent a lot of time on the road, touring relentlessly. How has this lifestyle shaped your music and your message over the years?
It’s shown me that heartache, sorrow, and disappointment are the same everywhere. But the goodness of God applies the same everywhere too. People over places, and God over it all – that’s what matters.
How do you balance being grounded in a community while travelling?
It’s easy when you don’t take yourself too seriously. My wife and kids are the anchors in my life. Our band puts family first, and God honours that. We refuse to lose sight of what really matters.
Your music often deals with deep and sometimes difficult themes. How do you balance the weight of these topics with the joy and hope that your music also brings?
It’s just like Jesus – He endured the cross for the joy set before Him. When I hear stories of heartache, I bring them to Jesus. I used to carry everyone’s burdens, but now I let Jesus carry them, and that allows me to be joyful, even when it’s hard.
As a band that has toured extensively, how do you tailor your performances to different cultures and audiences? What’s different about performing in South Africa?
Every audience is diverse, but we tailor our message by praying over the communities and asking God what our part is. We come in wanting to serve. We’re familiar with South Africa’s history and struggles, and we’re praying to be good news for those few days.
What message do you hope to leave with your local fans through this tour?
That in Jesus, there is neither Jew nor Greek – everyone is equal at the foot of the cross. There is restoration, unity, healing, hope, and above all, joy in Jesus.
Looking back on your journey as a band, what have been some of the most challenging moments?
The biggest challenge has been balancing life on the road with life at home. My wife and I have been through counselling, and we’ve fought for our marriage. Being in a successful band doesn’t make you immune from heartache, but God has carried us through.
What testimony stands out to you from over the years?
There are so many, but one that stands out is a young woman who came to one of our concerts. She told me she had been lying on her brother’s graveside with a gun in her mouth, ready to take her life. She heard the lyrics to Come What May in her mind, got up, and bought tickets to our show. Stories like that move me deeply, but I remind people that our songs didn’t save them – only Jesus can do that.
For our readers looking forward to your concert, do you have a message of encouragement or hope you’d like to share?
Yes, Romans tells us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. Jesus is hope itself, and I want your readers to know that in Him, there is a future, purpose, meaning, and joy.
Songs like Come What May and Maybe It’s OK have been incredibly successful. What inspired these songs?
Maybe It’s OK was written to reduce the stigma around mental health in the church. Come What May was written during the time of George Floyd’s death to remind people that Jesus is still on the throne. Our future is secure in Christ, not dependent on circumstances.
Our songs come from real, personal experiences. Everything is deeply felt and lived. If you opened my chest, you’d see “Where the Joy Is” – that’s what’s beating in me right now.
We Are Messengers will be in South Africa this November! To buy tickets for their concerts in Cape Town and Pretoria, visit itickets.co.za.
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Date published: 03/10/2024
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