Stephen Stanley on Rest in the Father

Reaching Hearts in Unexpected Places

For Christian artist Stephen Stanley, music is more than just a form of artistic expression—it’s a way to minister to others and share God’s love. He spoke with us about how one song, in particular, “Rest in the Father,” has ministered to the hearts of people in some of the most unexpected places.

“One of the coolest things that happened recently with that song is, I did a couple prison concerts, and these were both like, max security prisons,” Stephen shared. They were some of the most meaningful church services Stephen had ever experienced.

What made these services so special was the deep connection that the inmates had with the music and the message behind it. “‘Rest in the Father’ in particular, I think, spoke to their situation,” Stephen explained. The song resonated with the inmates on a personal level. Many of the inmates had found Jesus while incarcerated, and the song’s message of finding rest and peace in God struck a chord with them.

God uses music to speak to our hearts, even in the darkest of times.

A Worship Experience Like No Other

Stephen’s experience in the prisons was unlike anything he had encountered before. The worship services were entirely led by the inmates themselves. “The pastor of this church inside the prison was an inmate. Like, the whole worship team were all inmates,” Stephen shared. He noticed the unique style of worship music that the inmates played—”They played worship music, but it had this Motown spin on it… it was so cool. It’s like some of the coolest music I’ve ever heard,” Stephen recalled.

For Stephen, knowing that his music could reach and minister to people in such a powerful way was incredibly fulfilling. “I’m so glad I wrote that song so I can have it for something like this to be able to help people,” he reflected.

Let Stephen’s story and music remind you of the transformative power of worship and the way God uses music to speak to our hearts, even in the darkest of times.

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