The cross is central to everything we believe.
So why does it sometimes feel… familiar?

In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Cade Thompson opens up about a tension many Christians quietly carry—what happens when the message of the cross stops feeling powerful and starts feeling routine.

Growing up in church and now touring as a Christian artist, Cade shares how easy it is to lose the wonder of what Jesus has done—and how to find it again.

From a life-changing moment at summer camp to a simple conversation in an airport that sparked his song “That’s What the Cross Is For,” this episode is a reminder that the gospel was never meant to become background noise—it was meant to transform everything.

Guest Bio

Cade Thompson is a Christian artist and songwriter based in Franklin, Tennessee. Originally from South Dakota, Cade has over 121 million lifetime streams and has toured with artists like Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Newsboys, and Michael W. Smith. He is signed to Red Street Records and leads worship weekly at his local church, writing songs that reflect his passion for Jesus and the power of the gospel.

Episode Highlights
Why the message of the cross can lose its meaning
And how to rediscover the wonder of what Jesus has done
The story behind “That’s What the Cross Is For”
How a simple airport conversation became a defining song
How to stay spiritually fresh in worship and everyday life
Why your private time with God matters more than the platform
Fighting comparison as a Christian creative
Choosing kingdom perspective over personal success
What Gen Z is really looking for in worship
A shift toward authenticity, simplicity, and real encounters with God

Pull Quote

“WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WITH GOD IN PRIVATE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO TURN IT ON IN PUBLIC—IT JUST OVERFLOWS.”

Helpful Links
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cadethompson

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk

The cross is central to everything we believe. So why does it sometimes feel&hellip; familiar?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Cade Thompson opens up about a tension many Christians quietly carry&mdash;what happens when the message of the cross stops feeling powerful and starts feeling routine.
Growing up in church and now touring as a Christian artist, Cade shares how easy it is to lose the wonder of what Jesus has done&mdash;and how to find it again.
From a life-changing moment at summer camp to a simple conversation in an airport that sparked his song &ldquo;That&rsquo;s What the Cross Is For,&rdquo; this episode is a reminder that the gospel was never meant to become background noise&mdash;it was meant to transform everything.
<hr data-start="1895" data-end="1898">
Guest Bio
Cade Thompson is a Christian artist and songwriter based in Franklin, Tennessee. Originally from South Dakota, Cade has over 121 million lifetime streams and has toured with artists like Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Newsboys, and Michael W. Smith. He is signed to Red Street Records and leads worship weekly at his local church, writing songs that reflect his passion for Jesus and the power of the gospel.
<hr data-start="2320" data-end="2323">
Episode Highlights
<ul data-start="2352" data-end="2956">
<li data-section-id="1ivi2oj" data-start="2352" data-end="2469">Why the message of the cross can lose its meaning And how to rediscover the wonder of what Jesus has done</li>
<li data-section-id="heak2a" data-start="2471" data-end="2587">The story behind &ldquo;That&rsquo;s What the Cross Is For&rdquo; How a simple airport conversation became a defining song</li>
<li data-section-id="df0um6" data-start="2589" data-end="2721">How to stay spiritually fresh in worship and everyday life Why your private time with God matters more than the platform</li>
<li data-section-id="1eucxei" data-start="2723" data-end="2829">Fighting comparison as a Christian creative Choosing kingdom perspective over personal success</li>
<li data-section-id="1v7lzpp" data-start="2831" data-end="2956">What Gen Z is really looking for in worship A shift toward authenticity, simplicity, and real encounters with God</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2958" data-end="2961">
Pull Quote
&ldquo;WHEN YOU&rsquo;VE BEEN WITH GOD IN PRIVATE, YOU DON&rsquo;T HAVE TO TURN IT ON IN PUBLIC&mdash;IT JUST OVERFLOWS.&rdquo;
<hr data-start="3081" data-end="3084">
Helpful Links
<ul data-start="3108" data-end="3302">
<li data-section-id="12j9rdo" data-start="3108" data-end="3157">Instagram: <a data-start="3121" data-end="3155">https://instagram.com/cadethompson</a></li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="3304" data-end="3307">
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at <a data-start="3497" data-end="3583">https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk</a>

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

Cade Thompson: Why We Forget What the Cross Really Means

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/92bcea61-cc5f-405b-83c6-b433013f4030/transcript