SongBook—Worship Music for Any Time and Place

Screenshot of Song Book page on leadwithimpact.org.

In support of the local ministry, we teamed up with Unificationists in the field to create “SongBook”— a growing online library of Unificationist music.

SongBook’s high-definition music videos of contemporized Unificationist Holy Songs and Christian songs are now available to play for your congregation, personal home ministry or workshop.

David Eaton, co-producer of the SongBook project, found there was an interest and demand for something new and exciting to help broaden our reach when he attended the Lead With Impact seminar at the Unification Theological Seminary in Barrytown, New York in April 2013.

“The intention is to develop a few videos along the lines of the contemporary praise and worship model that mega-churches use so effectively,” says David. He explains the idea was to create musical lyric videos with Unification Church Holy Songs, popular praise and worship songs and original songs.

“For those churches that may not have a band, the congregation can easily sing along with the great music videos from SongBook,” says Unificationist Rick Joswick of California, who arranged, produced and recorded several Holy Songs, original songs written by American Unificationists, and Christian songs last summer together with Rev. Joshua Cotter.

David also produced and recorded songs with the worship band of The FCNYC (Family Church NYC).

“These songs were our initiative to express our faith through music and give access to a young audience to relate with us,” says Hyun Moraes, young Unificationist and FCNYC Bandleader. He adds, “This is our take on the Holy Songs which have great messages and history, but can be difficult for the younger people to relate to.”

Hyun and his band mates recorded four songs at the Manhattan Center—two Holy Songs and two original songs written by the FCNYC. The two Holy Songs include a Motown-inspired “Cheon Il Guk Anthem” and a ballad interpretation of “Light of Grace.” Their original songs were influenced by contemporary Christian pop rock styles à la Hillsong and Chris Tomlin.

“The idea for these videos is to bring in a more youthful, contemporary treatment of our music, which is in line with True Mother’s emphasis for more involvement of young Unificationists in building True Father’s legacy,” explains David. He adds, “Contemporizing our message and musical expression is also part of her vision to be a creative and vibrant church and is part of the evolution of finding new ways to reach out to people.”

Now you can pick and play any song from SongBook available on the Lead With Impact website, a resource for Unificationists.