One of the top Christian music groups, for KING + COUNTRY, is described as “Lush. Ethereal. Dynamic. Evocative. Percussive. Stark,” according to the group’s website. Before the 2023 Dove Awards, band members—and brothers—Joel and Luke Smallbone talked with The Christian Post about the nature of Christian music
“I don’t know anything else that can have that type of impact,” said Luke Smallbone.
For KING + COUNTRY Said Christian Music Gives People a ‘Peek Into What Heaven Must Be Like’
The duo has won several awards, including Billboard Music Awards, Grammy Awards, and Dove Awards. So it was no surprise that for KING + COUNTRY was nominated for additional awards leading up to the 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards. They talked with The Christian Post on the red carpet before the awards show began.
The Smallbones spoke about Christian music and the vital role it plays within spiritual formation—the ongoing Christian journey. Author and theologian Dallas Willard defined spiritual formation as “the process of transformation of the inmost dimension of the human being, the heart, which is the same as the spirit or will. It is being formed…in such a way that its natural expression comes to be the deeds of Christ done in the power of Christ.”
For KING + COUNTRY continued to share how Christian music offers a “peek into what heaven must be like.”
“Someone could be going through a very, very typical thing in their lives, and you can play a song, and it can go for about three minutes and 30 seconds, and all of a sudden, something in that space transforms who they are,” Luke said.
“I think that gives you a little bit of a peek into what heaven must be like because I don’t know anything else that can have that type of impact,” Luke continued. “No sermon, for the most part, transforms the condition of someone’s soul so quickly.”
Luke then described one of the marks of a Christian through the work of the Holy Spirit. “I think that develops people spiritually. I think it’s very, very rare when you see someone with a great joy who is singing songs to God, that they are struggling or barely making it,” he said. “They usually have a joy that is innate, that is indescribable. And I think it’s a spiritual practice.”
The power of music isn’t a new concept for the band. The duo shared on the their website that they know “what music can do, as a positive and emotional force in people’s lives.”
Jordin Sparks joined for KING + COUNTRY on “Love Me Like I Am” and performed the song with the brothers at the awards show. Sparks shared how different Christian music is, especially in a challenging world.
“What is special about this throughline with Christian music is that there’s always an underlying message of hope,” Sparks said. “And there’s always an underlying message of love. And there’s always an underlying message of ‘you can do this,’ and ‘we can get through this together.'”
Singer and songwriter Moriah Peters Smallbone (also Joel’s wife) mentioned how music brings different cultures and people together.
“We try to be a bridge, projects that bring cultures and people groups that seemingly have nothing in common together,” she explained. “There’s this underlying thread, this consistent message. Unity is incredibly valuable in a time where people are increasingly divided.”