What makes a worship song truly powerful?

Is it the melody? The production? The number of streams?

According to 2819 Worship, it's much simpler than that: Does the song help people behold Jesus more clearly?

In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Kurtis Parks sits down with Kristen Pinckney and Trey Heflin of 2819 Worship, the Atlanta-based collective from 2819 Church whose debut single, "For Christ Alone," has quickly become one of the most talked-about new worship songs of the year.

The conversation goes far beyond songwriting. Kristen and Trey share the heart behind their church's explosive growth, why every worship gathering begins and ends with prayer, and how a three-year journey through the Gospel of Matthew shaped both their church and their music. They also discuss the spontaneous moment that transformed "For Christ Alone" into a 13-minute worship anthem and why their mission has never been to create viral songs—but songs rooted in Scripture that point people to Christ.

Whether you're a worship leader, songwriter, pastor, or someone longing for deeper worship, this episode is a timely reminder that our greatest calling is not influence—it's faithfulness.

Guest Bio

2819 Worship is the worship collective of 2819 Church in Atlanta, Georgia, led by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell. Comprised of worship leaders, musicians, and songwriters including Kristen Pinckney and Trey Heflin, the collective exists to create biblically grounded worship music that helps the Church behold Jesus more clearly. Their debut single, "For Christ Alone," released in partnership with Reach Records, has quickly gained worldwide attention for its Scripture-centered message and authentic live worship expression.

Episode Highlights
The story behind 2819 Church's remarkable growth
Why every worship gathering begins and ends with prayer
How a three-year study through Matthew transformed their church
The inspiration behind "For Christ Alone"
Why worship songs should be rooted in Scripture
The spontaneous moment that changed the song forever
Faithfulness vs. influence in worship ministry
Why today's Church is hungry for biblical truth

Pull Quote

"We write songs that help people behold Christ more clearly."

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.

Try it today:
https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk

Listen

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Watch

Watch the full conversation on the Worship Leader Media YouTube channel.

What makes a worship song truly powerful?
Is it the melody? The production? The number of streams?
According to 2819 Worship, it's much simpler than that: Does the song help people behold Jesus more clearly?
In this episode of <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast_show/the-walk/">The Walk: Faith in the Real World,</a> Kurtis Parks sits down with Kristen Pinckney and Trey Heflin of 2819 Worship, the Atlanta-based collective from 2819 Church whose debut single, "For Christ Alone," has quickly become one of the most talked-about new worship songs of the year.
The conversation goes far beyond songwriting. Kristen and Trey share the heart behind their church's explosive growth, why every worship gathering begins and ends with prayer, and how a three-year journey through the Gospel of Matthew shaped both their church and their music. They also discuss the spontaneous moment that transformed "For Christ Alone" into a 13-minute worship anthem and why their mission has never been to create viral songs&mdash;but songs rooted in Scripture that point people to Christ.
Whether you're a worship leader, songwriter, pastor, or someone longing for deeper worship, this episode is a timely reminder that our greatest calling is not influence&mdash;it's faithfulness.
Guest Bio
2819 Worship is the worship collective of 2819 Church in Atlanta, Georgia, led by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell. Comprised of worship leaders, musicians, and songwriters including Kristen Pinckney and Trey Heflin, the collective exists to create biblically grounded worship music that helps the Church behold Jesus more clearly. Their debut single, "For Christ Alone," released in partnership with Reach Records, has quickly gained worldwide attention for its Scripture-centered message and authentic live worship expression.
Episode Highlights
<ul data-start="2936" data-end="3358">
<li data-section-id="n6mis6" data-start="2936" data-end="2986">The story behind 2819 Church's remarkable growth</li>
<li data-section-id="t8b20q" data-start="2987" data-end="3044">Why every worship gathering begins and ends with prayer</li>
<li data-section-id="1m7jlzz" data-start="3045" data-end="3110">How a three-year study through Matthew transformed their church</li>
<li data-section-id="d9kk9m" data-start="3111" data-end="3154">The inspiration behind "For Christ Alone"</li>
<li data-section-id="qzhk77" data-start="3155" data-end="3204">Why worship songs should be rooted in Scripture</li>
<li data-section-id="1ifhe3w" data-start="3205" data-end="3259">The spontaneous moment that changed the song forever</li>
<li data-section-id="1nlok1c" data-start="3260" data-end="3308">Faithfulness vs. influence in worship ministry</li>
<li data-section-id="1a6qiqx" data-start="3309" data-end="3358">Why today's Church is hungry for biblical truth</li>
</ul>
Pull Quote
"We write songs that help people behold Christ more clearly."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk">Planning Center</a>&mdash;the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.
Try it today: <a data-start="3664" data-end="3750">https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk</a>
Listen
<a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast_show/the-walk/">Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music</a>
Watch
Watch the full conversation on the <a href="https://youtube.com/c/WorshipLeaderMedia">Worship Leader Media YouTube</a> channel.

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.

Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative—believers who don’t just lead worship, but live it. These aren’t interviews; they’re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.

Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.

Explore every episode:worshipleader.com/podcasts

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.
Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative&mdash;believers who don&rsquo;t just lead worship, but live it. These aren&rsquo;t interviews; they&rsquo;re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.
Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.
Explore every episode: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/" data-start="1072" data-end="1137">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a>

Worship Leaders are more than just musicians and performers. These leaders and creatives walk with God daily and can bring a good word to the Body of Christ.

The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers—moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.

You’ll hear the struggle.
You’ll hear the choice.
You’ll hear what God did.

Because faith isn’t just a moment—it’s a walk. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hosted by Bay Turner
Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network

Explore every episode: worshipleader.com/podcasts
Learn more: worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk
Subscribe on your favorite platform: pod.link/1631583177

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers&mdash;moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.
You&rsquo;ll hear the struggle. You&rsquo;ll hear the choice. You&rsquo;ll hear what God did.
Because faith isn&rsquo;t just a moment&mdash;it&rsquo;s a walk. And you don&rsquo;t have to walk it alone.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.bayturner.com/">Bay Turner</a> Part of the <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/">Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network</a>
Explore every episode: <a href="https://www.worshipleader.com/podcasts" data-start="773" data-end="841">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a> Learn more: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk" data-start="856" data-end="936">worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk</a> Subscribe on your favorite platform: <a href="https://pod.link/1631583177" data-start="976" data-end="1026">pod.link/1631583177</a>

The Walk Podcast: Faith in the Real World

2819 Worship: The Worship Songs That Point to Jesus, Not Ourselves

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/16b6ba3f-f07b-4fd1-8795-b48e011b8a41/transcript