Faith Talks 2014 - Carolyn Arends (Part 2)

Carolyn Arends has released 10 albums and is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed books.  15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts.  Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year.

Carolyn’s newest project, Love Was Here First, features 10 new Carolyn originals and a reinterpretation of the classic gospel tune “Standing in the Need of Prayer.”  New musical twists like vocals from the 3-man gospel group The Sojourners and a crackling horn section surprise and delight, but what’s really on display here is the lyrical prowess of a master songwriter passionate about her subject–the encompassing love of God.

Carolyn explains, “The title, Love Was Here First, comes from the song “The Last Word,” and that song sums up the story I’m trying to tell right now–with my album and I hope with my life.  I heard a theologian say that we tend to be dualists–we imagine God and Satan as virtually equal opponents in an epic battle–but that in reality Satan and all the power of evil wouldn’t cover the head of a pin in comparison to the largeness of God’s love and his power.  I love that idea–that however messed up this world is, it was God’s love that brought us into being, and there isn’t any doubt that God’s love is going to win in the end.”

Arends graduated from Trinity Western University in Langley, BC with a degree in psychology and English.  She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband Mark, and their two children, Benjamin and Bethany.  In addition to her busy concert and speaking schedule, she is an instructor at Pacific Life Bible College, writes a bi-monthly column for Christianity Today, and is pursuing a master’s degree in theology at Regent College.

See more at: http://carolynarends.com


Faith Talks 2014