kind of took me out with them and let me lead
and learn. Benji was in college when I was in
high school. So, when he left, I took his place
as youth worship leader. Our youth group was
Called to Worship
really big. I bet we had 300-400 youth. It was
kind of like leading worship for a little church. I
learned a lot in that season of life and grew a
ton. I tried to get “regular” jobs, and seemed I
always ended up back in church work!
Chris McClarney is still serving
the church and writing about the
one whose love never fails. I had
the opportunity to catch up with
Chris and hear more about his
family, his ministry, and what God
is doing in his life.
When I was eighteen, I decided I wanted to
chase down a record deal. I started looking
around and had some serious talks with
some record labels. I remember one talk in
particular…I just had this feeling like, “I don’t
know if I want to make worship records.” I
was eighteen; I was trying to figure out what I
wanted to do with my life. I had been reading in
Scripture, “Whatever you’ve done to the least of
these, you’ve done unto me.” I knew I wanted
to do something for the Lord and do something
in ministry. So, (back to that meeting) I was like,
“Let me think about it.” Again, this meeting was
pretty serious, I mean like we might actually
be able to work out a record deal. On the way
home, I got a call from a buddy who was doing
a worship night. It just so happened to be at
an inner-city ministry here in Nashville. They did
their little talk in the middle of the worship night
where they explain how they give out food to
the poor. It really moved me and I moved down
there for three years. I quit music altogether
photos: Diana Rush
and just served the poor of Nashville. It was
hard work . . . kind of never ending. Helping
people that make mistakes. It’s difficult to try
I was about fourteen years old, I was in a small
guys that had drug issues, alcoholics, and the
to navigate that without turning your back on
group at a church here in Nashville. Somebody
poorest of the poor. We were right in the inner
the church. I guess I was a “good kid” though;
asked if anyone knew how to lead worship for
city of Nashville. I lived there for like two-and-
I never had one of those weird “falling away”
the small group and I said, “I do.” I had never
a-half