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On Arriving, you worked with producer Ed Cash. How'd that come about?

Tomlin I had gotten his name from both a mutual friend and my record label, but I don't know producers well enough to know who's working with who. I'd heard he worked a lot with Bebo Norman, but when I actually talked to Ed for the first time, he was a bit hesitant. He didn't have a clue who I was and had never done a worship record before. He asked for some time to think about it and pray about it, and it turned out God led him strongly to work with me. The results are great and I really enjoyed recording with him.

What has been the response to the album?

Tomlin It's been so completely over the top, it's as if we've never made music before! When you make a CD, you don't know how people are going to receive it, but this has gone way beyond just buying the record. It's speaking to their lives and the church is using the songs so fast, considering it's only been out a few months!

What songs are connecting with congregations?

Tomlin The first one that comes to our mind is "How Great Is Our God." It has this amazing ability to grab people like they've known it all their lives, and it's amazing to watch people who've never heard it before just go for it when they're singing it up to God. Some other special songs are "Unfailing Love," which Steven Curtis actually sings on with me on the record, and "Holy Is the Lord," which is from the last Passion event called "Sacred Revolution."

How has your ministry changed since its beginnings in Passion?

Tomlin Actually, I was singing solo and touring a bit even before Passion, so that's always been an extension of what I was doing anyway, but on a much larger platform.

In what ways has that organization grown since its infancy?

Tomlin It's grown bigger than any of us involved would have ever dreamed! It's always been a specialty event for college students, but the music has been a real lighthouse and beacon for the worship movement in general. The movement has gone way beyond our events for students even though they are still our target. It's brought about incredible revival and renewal on campuses and communities.

What's your relationship like with other Passion worship leaders, like David Crowder and Charlie Hall, now that everyone's schedules are so busy?

Tomlin Matt Redman is with us now too, and we all have a great relationship and friendship with each other even though we're touring so much. When I had my record release party in Austin, David Crowder came out in full support on his day off. We've always tried to be like family, which is always a bit hard to do with everybody involved in so much. But we're all united through the same heart to serve and even we're different in musical styles, we're connected in purpose.�

With all our your obligations, how do you stay close to your home church?

Tomlin I have a guy taking my place [as a worship leader] during the times when I can't be there and I do miss it very much. It's so important to stay plugged in at home for the sake of fellowship and truly connecting with the body to reach beyond into the community. My church [Austin Stone Community Church] is set up right in the middle of downtown, and we're all about discipleship amongst one another and then going out to share Jesus with the surrounding neighborhood. The local church is God's idea and as he continues to build it, the impact on the world becomes greater. That's why as an artist it's so vital to stay close to that and keep getting recharged to get out there and serve.

Visit the artist page to learn more about Chris Tomlin, where you'll find reviews for his albums, including Arriving. Be sure to visit Christianbook.com to listen to songs and buy his music

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