It was 2016. The atmosphere in Charlotte, North Carolina, felt electric, but not just because of the lights or the stage production at Elevation Church. Something else was happening. When Elevation Worship released "Here as in Heaven," they weren't just dropping another album; they were essentially capturing a shift in how modern worship music sounds and feels. Honestly, if you’ve spent any time in a contemporary church over the last decade, you’ve heard these songs. You've probably sang them until your voice went hoarse.
The title track, "Here as in Heaven," became an immediate anthem. It’s a slow burn. It doesn't rush. Most songs today try to grab you in the first ten seconds, but this one breathes. It invites a sort of stillness that is rare in a world obsessed with fast-paced content.
The Story Behind Elevation Worship Here as in Heaven
People often forget that Elevation Worship started as a local church band. They weren't a touring powerhouse from day one. By the time they recorded the live album Elevation Worship Here as in Heaven, the group had found a specific "sonic signature." It's that atmospheric, wide-open sound that feels like it could fill a stadium or a small living room simultaneously.
The album was recorded at Time Warner Cable Arena. Thousands of people showed up. But if you listen to the recording, the individual voices in the crowd often stand out more than the polished instruments. That was intentional. Chris Brown, one of the primary worship leaders and songwriters, has often talked about how the goal wasn't a perfect recording. It was a perfect moment.
The lyrics of the title track are pulled straight from the Lord's Prayer, specifically the "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done" part. It’s a simple concept. It's a heavy concept. The idea that eternity can sort of "leak" into the present moment is what drove the writing process. Steven Furtick, the lead pastor of Elevation Church, collaborated heavily on the lyrics, ensuring they aligned with the "Presence" theology the church emphasizes.
Why the title track went viral (before "viral" was the main goal)
Back then, Christian music was transitioning. We were moving away from the guitar-heavy rock of the early 2000s and into this "synth-pad" era. Elevation Worship Here as in Heaven leaned into that. The opening swell of the song—that ethereal, ambient noise—became a template for a thousand other worship leaders.
It’s about the "overflow."
The lyrics "Spirit of God fall fresh on us" aren't particularly complex. They aren't trying to be "theological gymnastics." Instead, they are visceral. They're meant to be felt. When you look at the YouTube numbers—hundreds of millions of views across various versions—it’s clear that the simplicity was the strength. People don't always want a lecture; sometimes they just want to pray out loud.
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Breaking Down the Tracklist: More Than Just One Song
While the title track gets all the glory, the album is actually quite diverse. You’ve got "Resurrecting," which is arguably one of the most structurally sound worship songs written in the last twenty years. It moves from the "tomb" to the "throne" with a lyrical precision that’s hard to pull off without sounding cheesy.
- Evidence of Grace: A quieter, more reflective moment.
- O Come to the Altar: This song is a juggernaut. It’s the "invitation" song. It’s been covered by everyone from local church bands to country music stars.
- Shine a Light: A higher energy, more celebratory track that balances out the weight of the slower ballads.
The interesting thing about "O Come to the Altar" is its origin. It was written to be a bridge. A way for people who felt "too far gone" to find a way back. It uses a very traditional "altar call" sentiment but wraps it in a modern folk-pop melody. It's catchy. It's also deeply emotional.
The Production Style: Atmosphere Over Everything
If you’re a gear head or a musician, you know the "Elevation sound." It involves a lot of "shimmer" reverb. It involves "dotted-eighth" note delays on the electric guitars. On Elevation Worship Here as in Heaven, the production team—including Mack Brock and others—prioritized the "room."
They wanted the listener to feel the 15,000 people in the arena.
If you listen closely to the bridge of "Here as in Heaven," there's a point where the music almost completely drops out. You just hear the floor shaking from people jumping or stomping. That’s raw. That’s what makes it feel human and not like a sterile studio product.
I’ve noticed that a lot of people criticize modern worship for being "formulaic." There is some truth to that. You have the "V-C-V-C-B-C" (Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus) structure that seems to dominate the industry. However, Elevation managed to make the formula feel less like a cage and more like a roadmap. They know when to stay in a moment for an extra four bars to let the emotion catch up to the melody.
Addressing the Critics: Is it Too Emotional?
Not everyone is a fan. Some theologians argue that the "Presence-based" worship found in songs like those on Elevation Worship Here as in Heaven focuses too much on the feeling of God rather than the fact of God. They worry it’s a bit too "me-centric."
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But honestly? Humans are emotional.
The Psalms are filled with "feeling." David was basically the original songwriter of "atmospheric worship," crying out about his bones aching or his heart leaping. Elevation is just using modern tools—synths, LED walls, and high-fidelity audio—to express that same ancient longing. Whether you like the style or not, you can't deny the impact. These songs have been translated into dozens of languages. They are sung in underground churches and massive cathedrals.
The Legacy of the Album in 2026
It’s been a decade since this album hit the scene. In the world of music, ten years is an eternity. Most songs from 2016 are long forgotten, buried under the weight of new trends and TikTok sounds. Yet, "Here as in Heaven" remains a staple.
Why?
Because the central theme—the idea that our current reality isn't all there is—never goes out of style. Especially during global upheavals or personal tragedies, people want to believe that "Heaven is breaking through."
The album also served as a launching pad for several artists. Mack Brock, Chris Brown, and Tiffany Hudson all became household names in the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) world largely because of the momentum generated here. It established Elevation as a "tastemaker" church, similar to Hillsong in Australia or Bethel in California.
Practical Takeaways for Worship Leaders and Listeners
If you're trying to replicate this sound or just want to understand it better, here are a few things to keep in mind.
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First, don't rush the "spaces." The power of Elevation Worship Here as in Heaven isn't in the fast parts; it's in the silences. It’s in the moments where the music fades and the lyrics are allowed to hang in the air. If you're leading a group, don't be afraid of thirty seconds of "nothing."
Second, focus on the "we," not just the "I." While the songs are personal, they are designed for corporate singing. The melodies are usually within a range that an average person can hit (though some of those high notes towards the end of "Resurrecting" are a bit of a stretch for most of us).
Third, acknowledge the "now and not yet." The theology of these songs is about bringing the future into the present. It’s a call to action. If you’re just singing the words but not looking for ways to actually "bring heaven" to your neighborhood through kindness or service, you’re missing the point of the lyrics.
The album isn't perfect. Some might find it repetitive. Some might find the production too "slick." But for a generation of believers, it provided a soundtrack for their most difficult and their most joyful moments. It’s a piece of liturgical history that changed the landscape of the modern church.
Next Steps for Deeper Engagement
If you want to dive deeper into the themes of this album, try these specific actions:
- Listen to the "Acoustic" versions: Elevation released stripped-back versions of these songs. They reveal the strength of the songwriting without the massive arena production.
- Read the scriptural references: Look up the "Lord's Prayer" in Matthew 6 and the resurrection accounts in the Gospels. Compare them to the lyrics of "Resurrecting" to see how the songwriters interpreted the text.
- Watch the live film: There is a full-length concert film of the recording. Seeing the visual cues and the crowd's reaction gives a much better context for why the audio sounds the way it does.
- Analyze the arrangement: If you’re a musician, pay attention to the "layering" of the synths. Notice how they build intensity without necessarily getting louder—often they just get "thicker" with more frequencies.
The impact of this work isn't just in the charts or the awards. It's in the quiet moments on a Tuesday morning when someone turns on "Here as in Heaven" and feels a little less alone. That’s the real metric of success for this kind of music. It serves a purpose beyond entertainment. It acts as a bridge between the daily grind and something higher.