Matt Crocker is best known as one of the songwriters and members of Hillsong United. He started playing drums initially, but later transitioned to playing guitar and singing. One of the events in Crocker’s life that affected him greatly includes the death of his older sister when she was only 15. Crocker grew up in Hillsong Church in Sydney, but he first became involved in worship in the youth ministry. He played drums and learned how to write music, leading to him falling in love with writing music. Joel Houston and Marty Sampson, two well known worship leaders, encouraged Crocker to write music for the youth worship team.
He published his first song at the age of 18. A few years later, he was able to collaborate with other songwriters at Hillsong Church. Years later, Crocker has published many well known worship songs as well as traveled around the world, touring with Hillsong UNITED. He continues to write songs not only for Hillsong UNITED, but also for Hillsong Church. He continues to lead worship at Hillsong Church when he is not touring with Hillsong UNITED.
Many of the songs Matt Crocker has written have personally impacted my life, especially the song “I Surrender”. Hillsong has been incredibly inspirational to me because I know God has called me into the ministry of worship, and members of bands like Hillsong UNITED have dedicated their lives to serve God and follow his calling for their lives. For example, Hillsong UNITED has gone on missions trips to serve the Syrian refugees in the Middle East. One of the things I admire most about Hillsong UNITED is that some worship leaders may act like they are better then the people they are leading, however Hillsong UNITED engages with the people they lead and they serve people that others would ignore. Matt Crocker is such a great example of following God wherever he calls and leading worship wholeheartedly and focused on God.
Many of the songs Matt Crocker has written have personally impacted my life, especially the song “I Surrender”. Hillsong has been incredibly inspirational to me because I know God has called me into the ministry of worship, and members of bands like Hillsong UNITED have dedicated their lives to serve God and follow his calling for their lives. For example, Hillsong UNITED has gone on missions trips to serve the Syrian refugees in the Middle East. One of the things I admire most about Hillsong UNITED is that some worship leaders may act like they are better then the people they are leading, however Hillsong UNITED engages with the people they lead and they serve people that others would ignore. Matt Crocker is such a great example of following God wherever he calls and leading worship wholeheartedly and focused on God.
Songs written or cowritten by Matt Crocker
I Surrender
Open Heaven (River Wild)
Prince of Peace
Relentless
Search My Heart
Scandal of Grace
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
Glorious Ruins
Gracious Tempest
This I Believe (The Creed)
Oh You Bring
I really enjoyed reading about this songwriter. I admire how he went through a hardship and continued to worship God. I also admire how involved he is, in the community and serves others.
ReplyDeleteMatt Crocker seems pretty cool, I'm glad to have been able to read about him. I definitely agree that one of my favorite songs of his is "I surrender", whenever I hear it I always get pretty into it.
ReplyDeleteI love Matt Crocker and Hillsong. It's crazy that he became so successful at a young age and that he was so rooted in his faith.
ReplyDeleteHey Melinda! I never knew who Matt Crocker was but now I feel really informed. I love hillsong though so it's good to know how much of an impact Matt Crocker has made in the history of Hillsong. I love all those songs by the way! We should do more of those songs in worship :).
ReplyDeleteThere are so many songs that Matt Croker has written that I just love. His story is so impactful that even when facing hard times like with his sister, God still had so much in store for him.
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