“No one has heard of that.”
It’s easy to chalk things by chance or believe in happy accidents or events. Chris Tomlin could have been believed in random serendipity – a very easy chance for a timely connection with upcoming Christian films. But he doesn’t. Instead, he sees it as Providence, which is destined to God.
The well-known recording artists and worship leaders are stepping into new roles as executive producers.
Tomlin, 52, is seated in the producer’s chair for the new movie, “The Last Supper,” set to debut in theaters nationwide March 14. The film, from Pinnacle Peak Pictures, the distribution studio launched almost 20 years ago by David AR White of Pure Flix fame, centers on the days leading up to wayward disciple Judas’ betrayal of Jesus as the Savior’s closest followers gather for a final meal before His impending crucifixion.
When he was first approached by the creator of “The Last Dinner,” Tomlin said he asked if he had songs that he worked in the film and if he could write them.
“I played some songs (and I said), “Now that I wrote it, no one has heard of it. Literally, no one has heard of it,” he recalled a conversation with the filmmaker. “(i) I played it for them, and when I wrote this song, I had never seen the film, and it was perfect for this film. And I said, “OK, this feels like the right thing.”
Finding songs tied to the theatrically released film certainly wasn’t on Tomlin’s radar when he wrote “No Greater Love” alongside Tyler Hubbard of Country Music Duoof Lorida Georgialine at his writing retreat at his Ketchum, Idaho home by 20th-century novelist Ernest Hemingway.
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Hubbard and other country songwriters told Tomlin he wanted to write a song about worship with a singer from “Holy Eternity,” and explained that the theme would focus on John 15:13.
“Line for the line, (I), “Wow, this fits perfectly,” he said. “It was just one of your favorite moments. … God is in this.” He replied, “I’m putting together my works. You didn’t even know that I was putting together these works, but I have this little plan.”
“A lot of my life,” Tomlin retorted. “I said, ‘Wow, I didn’t see these works together like this,” but you’re just faithful and trying to follow God.
Tomlin’s life and career as a worship leader was a series of “peaces come together.”
Tomlin said he not only writes and records worship music, but travels the world to guide the worshippers, but he also feels an immense responsibility that God is placed in his life.
We asked Chris Tomlin what “worship” means to him. Watch our conversation to hear his answer:
“I always pray this prayer. “God, if your presence doesn’t appear, there will be no real, lasting (shock),” he said. “In other words, I always pray that God’s existence will touch people.
The singer-songwriter referred to the Old Testament passage Exodus 33:16, as Moses had led the Israelites out of Sinai towards the Promised Land. In the poem, Moses said to God, “If you do not go with me and your people, how do everyone know that you see me in favor? Your presence between us distinguishes your people and me from all the other people on earth” (NLT).
When he picks up his guitar and plays a chord in his song, Tomlin calls him the person who hears people who “feel the presence of God.”
“There is no such thing as the sound of God’s sound, in which God’s people sings his praises before him,” he reflected. “And when it happens, it’s so powerful.”
Tomlin went on to say that his concerts should be distinguished from secular shows, not because he is a better artist, but because you are “singing to a living God” when you sing worship songs.
“What we’re doing here is eternal,” he said.
