A Place for Everyone
How Thrive Worship Reaches Beyond Church Walls
Worship isn’t just for those already attending church. Thrive Worship embrace it as a powerful tool for outreach—a bridge to reach people who may have never stepped foot in a church. They create music for believers but also provide a space where anyone, regardless of their background or experience with faith, can encounter God.
The members of Thrive Worship shared with us how their focus on reaching the unchurched has shaped their ministry and worship music.
Worship can break down barriers and reach outside the church.
A Church Built on Outreach
Thrive Worship’s foundation is rooted in a desire to reach the lost. Their church was birthed out of a deep need in the community, sparked by tragedy. Corbin Phillips, one of the band’s leaders, explained how their church started nearly three decades ago. “There were two copycat suicides of teenagers,” Corbin shared, “and somebody in the community went, ‘We have to start a church for these teenagers so that there’s hope for this community.’”
This heart for outreach has never left them. Corbin emphasized, “We want this to be a place that anybody can come to,” he said. “That’s the heart of what we do.”
This focus on making church accessible to all has not only shaped the church’s culture but also their worship music. Thrive Worship’s songs are designed to meet people wherever they are in their faith journey, even if they don’t yet know what they believe.
Worship as a Tool for Connection
Worship becomes a way to tell stories that resonate with listeners, inviting them into a shared experience.
“Yes, we’re doing worship, and yes, we’re singing vertical songs,” Corbin explained, “but we really try to be intentional about weaving story in because I think that we see ourselves in the story.”
Thrive Worship’s music aims to reflect the real struggles, victories, and moments of grace that people experience in their lives. These stories help listeners who might feel distant from God or unsure of their place in the church see themselves in the narrative of redemption.
Meeting People Where They Are
One way Thrive Worship reaches the unchurched is by meeting people where they are, both spiritually and emotionally. Many who attend their services might not be familiar with church traditions or even know what they believe about God. Thrive Worship’s music is designed to break down those barriers.
Charmaine, one of the vocalists, spoke about her personal faith journey and how it has shaped her approach to worship. After a season of questioning her faith, she found her way back to God’s goodness. “I came to the conclusion that this God not only exists, but He’s actually good,” Charmaine reflected.
By being open about their own struggles and faith journeys, Thrive Worship creates a space where people can feel safe to explore their own questions and doubts. Their music isn’t just for people who have it all figured out—it’s for those still searching, still wrestling with their faith, and still wondering if God is real.
At the core of Thrive Worship’s mission is a heart for those who feel disconnected from church. Their worship is designed to be accessible, offering a message of hope and grace that anyone can connect with, no matter their background.
God’s love and grace extends beyond the walls of the church.
“We really try to make sure that our stories of redemption and grace come through in the music,” Corbin explained. “We want to make sure that people who might come in for whatever reason can connect to our stories of redemption and our need of God’s grace.”
Going Beyond Church Walls
The focus on grace and redemption makes their worship relatable to a wide audience, especially to those who may feel like they don’t belong in a traditional church setting. Their music acts as a bridge, connecting people to the love of God in a way that feels real and accessible.
We want to always remember that God’s love and grace extend beyond the walls of the church through us–His greatest creation. Take a moment today to consider how your own personal worship can be a tool for outreach, inviting those who feel far from God to draw near.
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