This year our Spotify playlist is a little different… it’s not so much the songs we sang together at our conference (though there’s a couple in there) but it’s a list chosen by our EQUIP At Home speakers and MCs. They’re songs that encouraged or inspired them, especially as they prepared for EQUIP these last few months. We asked them to tell us why.

Alli’s List

Resurrection Day | Rend Collective

Already a bit of a Rend Collective fan, I love that this song sounds so joyful as it celebrates our resurrection because of Jesus resurrection.

Because You're risen, I can rise. Because You're living, I'm alive.

Every good thing we receive is because of what Jesus has done. That's a truth worth singing about! 

He Lives - Live | Chris McClarney (Church of the City)

I stumbled across this newly released song while writing my EQUIP talk. It feels like the first witnesses of  Jesus' resurrection could have written this song themselves! Not sure how good it would have sounded on the harp and tambourine though? LOL.  Love that I can sing these words along with them.

See the tomb where he laid

See the stone rolled away…

See his hands, see his feet

Touch his scars and believe

He is risen, he is risen

He's alive

Tash’s List

Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery | Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa

There's so much I love about this song! When I sing it, I'm reminded that as the 'true and better Adam', Jesus has saved us in his death and in his resurrection we have a taste of what's to come!

His Heart Beats | Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson writes lyrics with such depth and poetry. When I listen to this song I reflect that we know and are known not by a god that's dead, but a true and living God. The simple reality that Christ took one breath means death was defeated. He has won the victory and we get to share in this with him. Wow!

Lesley’s List

I have chosen these two songs because the resurrection is the wellspring of my hope... and they speak so powerfully about the hope that is so elusive to the world and yet drives away all despair for the Christian believer.

Christ Is Mine Forevermore | CityAlight

Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!

There Is A Hope | Stuart Townend, Word Alive

“There is a hope that burns within my heart... that lifts my weary head… that stands the test of time.” Just brilliant!!

Di’s List

My friends with long time chronic illness find Christian music helps them to reflect on Scripture when they don't have the energy to read.

I Can Only Imagine | MercyMe (Movie Sessions)

‘I Can Only Imagine’ is an old one by MercyMe that has very simple words, helping us stop and think about how wonderful heaven will be.

Take Heart | Liv Chapman, Michael Morrow (EMU Music)

This is a new one by Liv Chapman and the EMU team, written in the months leading up to Liv’s brother’s death - it’s a beautiful reflection on John 16:33…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Ruth’s List

Let Your Kingdom Come | Sovereign Grace Music

Inspired by the Valley of Vision prayer, God’s Cause, this song is one many of us may be familiar with. When we can so often get caught up in our own lives, I love that this song helps us shift our focus to God and His kingdom. It captures the purpose for our Christian lives here on earth as we await that glorious eternal reality to come because of Jesus.

Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your Name
Let Your song be heard everywhere on earth
Till Your sovereign work on earth is done
Let Your kingdom come

Christ is Risen | Matt Maher

I’ve had this song in my rotation for the last few months as we’ve been preparing for EQUIP. An anthem song that celebrates: 

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

I love that it is full of great truths we can sing with full conviction – that God has given us victory because of Christ!  

For “Our God is not dead, he’s alive! He’s alive!”. 

Isobel’s List

It Is Not Death To Die | Sovereign Grace Music

The chorus of this song is so memorable and full of comfort. Words to hold on to. They were for me, when a wonderful husband and father I knew died, humanly speaking, too soon.

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

See What A Morning | Keith & Kristyn Getty

Maybe I’m showing my age with this pick. However, I do love the Gettys. I chose this song because it's so joyful! Not just the words but the melody and instrumentation are bursting with the joy of Resurrection Sunday. It’s remains one of my favourite songs to listen and singalong to at Easter.

See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

And a special message from song-writer, Trevor Hodge to our EQUIP delegates. Trevor wrote one of our EQUIP favourites, No Other Name.

No other hope we have 

But that he rose again