Even in the Christian music industry, where the rules and practices are expected to differ from those of secular traditions. Music groups continue to play an important role in the industry. While the secular music industry boasts some notable groups ranging from rock groups like U2, AC/DC, The Beatles to R&B groups like Westlife and Boys II Men, the Christian music industry holds its own with popular groups like Hillsong Worship and Kari Jobe, Passion, Jesus Culture and Elevation Worship.
Elevation Worship in particular has been one of the leading Christian music groups in recent years, having released several chart-topping albums and songs. The group is the brainchild of Steven Furtick, founder of Elevation Church, which gave rise to Elevation Worship. Learn more about the group and its members below.
Elevation Worship Members – Who are they?
Elevation Worship consists of five Primary Level members – Chris Joel Brown, Jonsal Barrientes, Jenna Winders Barrientes, Jane Williams and Anna Sailors. The group used to have seven members, but Mack Brock and London Gatch left. Elevation Worship also often collaborates with guest musicians and instrumentalists.
Chris Joel Brown – He has been a member of the group Creation since its inception in 2007. He is considered the leader of the group. Chris has been a lifelong member of the Christian faith when he was born the son of a pastor. His musical talent and passion came from his mother, who was a singer and musician. He is married to Beth Brown and the couple have two children, one of whom is Joah Adelaide. He was born on December 22, 1981 and also plays guitar for the group.
Jonsal Barrientes – Another member of the group is Jonsal. Jonsal is one of the leading singers of the Elevation Worship Group. He attended the International School of the Americas before joining Elevation Church and then Elevation Worship. He is married to Jenna Winders, who is also a member of the group. He was born on September 9, 1991.
Jenna Winders – She studied to be a registered nurse at the University of North Carolina, but dedicated her life to the gospel and ministered through music with Elevation Worship. She is one of the group’s leading singers and was born on December 25, 1988.
Jane Williams – Jane is married to Luke Williams, Managing Director of Architect Sports, a sports and physical therapy company. The two share two sons, Wyatt and Nolan. She has been a member of Elevation Worship since 2007 and is one of the group’s singers.
London Gatch and Mack Brock – London Gatch was a former member of the group. She was one of the group’s singers but left to pursue a solo career. She is now releasing music under the BEC Worship banner. His story is similar to that of Mack Brock, who also left the group for a solo career. Brack has released his first single “Greater Things”.
Here are facts you need to know about them
- origin of the worship of heights
Called into the ministry at the age of 18. Steven Furtick, who served as director of music at his previous church, Christ Covenant Church, founded Elevation Church in 2006.
- First members
Steven, along with Wade Joye and Chris JoelBrown, began Elevation Worship at Elevation Church in 2007. The group was completed with members – Jonsal Barrientes, Jenna Barrientes, Jane Williams, Anna Sailors, London Gatch and Mack Brock.
- your albums
Early in the group’s formation, Elevation Worship released four independent albums. The albums, The Sound , We Live , God With Us , and Reich Come were released in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. Kingdom Come was the band’s first chart-topping production. The song “Give Me Faith” hit the Billboard charts and peaked in different categories – number 5 on Heatseekers, 17 on Christian Albums and 42 on Independent Albums.
- Record label signing and first studio album
Realizing the group’s potential, they were signed to Essential Records and, continuing their tradition of releasing an album every year, they released their fifth album. For the Honor , this was her first studio album on 21. Backed by the marketing prowess of a regular music label, the album peaked at No. 1 on Heatseekers, No. 19 on Christian Albums, and No. 193 on the coveted Billboard 200.
- Subsequent studio album
The band have released five more albums since signing with Essential Records, with their most recent album being the 2018 release of Hallelujah Down Here , which debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at #25 and US Christian Album at #2 . All of their six albums have charted on the Billboard charts.
