Darlene Zschech
Encyclopedia
Darlene Joyce Zschech (icon; born Steinhardt on 8 September 1965 in Brisbane, Australia
) is an Australian Pentecostal worship leader and singer-songwriter who primarily writes praise and worship song
s. She is the former worship pastor of Hillsong Church
and is currently a member of Compassionart
, a charity
founded by Martin Smith
.
s for a number of international companies including McDonald's
, KFC
and Coca Cola.
In 2003, Zschech released her first solo album in nine years, entitled Kiss of Heaven. She had earlier released a self-titled vinyl album in 1988 and a cassette album in 1993 called Pearls & Gold. Change Your World followed in 2005. In addition to writing songs, Zschech has written four books: Worship (1996), Extravagant Worship (2002), The Kiss of Heaven (2003) and The Great Generational Transition (2009).
Zschech founded Hope Rwanda in 2005 with her husband Mark. The primary objective of Hope Rwanda is to assist developing nations reduce poverty, to achieve sustainable development and to bring spiritual strength and social justice to every segment of society. She is also an advocate for Compassion Australia
.
Zschech and her husband were the founding executive directors of Mercy Ministries Australia. In 2009, after an 18-month investigation, they were named by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as being two of several former directors of Mercy Ministries Australia likely for the organisation's "false, misleading and deceptive conduct". They claimed their services were free, but in fact "residents had to sign over their Centrelink benefits during their stay." She is a mezzo soprano coloratura.
was appointed to the worship pastor position in 2008. At Hillsong she still leads worship on a regular basis and is a key leader of the church's team for conferences. She travels regularly with the Hillsong team throughout the world leading people in worship. Hillsong made headlines when their 2004 live CD release, For All You've Done
, reached Number 1 on the Australian national music charts.
while leading tours with the Hillsong Team around the world.
.
", sung by an estimated 25–30 million churchgoers every week. This song is the title track for the first live album co-produced with Integrity Music featuring Zschech as a worship leader. Shout to the Lord was nominated as Album of the Year for the 1997 Dove Awards and Song of the Year for the 1998 Dove Awards. It has been recorded on over 20 different albums. In 2000, Zschech received a Dove Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year and has received the "International Award" from the Gospel Music Association (GMA) in the United States.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) is an Australian Pentecostal worship leader and singer-songwriter who primarily writes praise and worship song
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
s. She is the former worship pastor of Hillsong Church
Hillsong Church
Hillsong Church is a Pentecostal megachurch affiliated with Australian Christian Churches and located in Sydney, Australia. The church's senior pastors, Brian and Bobbie Houston, began the church in 1983 as the Hills Christian Life Centre in Baulkham Hills...
and is currently a member of Compassionart
Compassionart
CompassionArt is a charity based in Littlehampton, England founded by songwriter Martin Smith and his wife Anna, with the aim of generating income from works of art to assist in the relief of suffering around the planet.-Retreat in Scotland:...
, a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
founded by Martin Smith
Martin Smith (songwriter)
Martin James Smith is an English vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the front man of the Christian rock and worship band Delirious? He co-wrote three songs on Michael W. Smith's 2004 album Healing Rain and is going to be collaborating with Michael W. Smith on his upcoming album...
.
Biography
As a young adult Zschech sang jingleJingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
s for a number of international companies including McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, KFC
KFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
and Coca Cola.
In 2003, Zschech released her first solo album in nine years, entitled Kiss of Heaven. She had earlier released a self-titled vinyl album in 1988 and a cassette album in 1993 called Pearls & Gold. Change Your World followed in 2005. In addition to writing songs, Zschech has written four books: Worship (1996), Extravagant Worship (2002), The Kiss of Heaven (2003) and The Great Generational Transition (2009).
Zschech founded Hope Rwanda in 2005 with her husband Mark. The primary objective of Hope Rwanda is to assist developing nations reduce poverty, to achieve sustainable development and to bring spiritual strength and social justice to every segment of society. She is also an advocate for Compassion Australia
Compassion Australia
Compassion Australia is a Christian holistic child development and child advocacy organisation that works in partnership with local churches to foster the spiritual, economic, social, physical and emotional development of children living in extreme poverty in over 26 countries.Compassion Australia...
.
Zschech and her husband were the founding executive directors of Mercy Ministries Australia. In 2009, after an 18-month investigation, they were named by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as being two of several former directors of Mercy Ministries Australia likely for the organisation's "false, misleading and deceptive conduct". They claimed their services were free, but in fact "residents had to sign over their Centrelink benefits during their stay." She is a mezzo soprano coloratura.
Hillsong Church
Zschech was the worship pastor of Hillsong Church from 1995 to 2007. She stepped down as worship pastor in 2007 and Reuben MorganReuben Morgan
Reuben Morgan is the worship pastor and one of several worship leaders and songwriters alongside Darlene Zschech at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won...
was appointed to the worship pastor position in 2008. At Hillsong she still leads worship on a regular basis and is a key leader of the church's team for conferences. She travels regularly with the Hillsong team throughout the world leading people in worship. Hillsong made headlines when their 2004 live CD release, For All You've Done
For All You've Done
For All You've Done is the thirteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It debuted at Number 1 on the Australian album chart on 12 July 2004.-Recording:...
, reached Number 1 on the Australian national music charts.
Hope Unlimited Church
In January 2011, Darlene and Mark Zschech became senior pastors at Church Unlimited (later named Hope Unlimited Church) in Charmhaven on the New South Wales central coast, but Zschech intends to still be part of the Hillsong Worship Team, leading worship at Hillsong's key events during the year. She also continues to host the Creative Stream at the Hillsong ConferenceHillsong Conference
The Hillsong Conference is an annual Christian conference held each July in Sydney, Australia, London, Europe, and Kiev, Ukraine and hosted by the Hillsong Church. It features prominent Christian pastors, leaders, businesspeople and motivational speakers as well as worship artists like singers,...
while leading tours with the Hillsong Team around the world.
Hope Rwanda
In 2004 while visiting their Compassion sponsor child in Rwanda, the Zschech family were devastated about the lack of publicity and assistance Rwanda received about the genocide in 1994. They founded an organisation called Hope Rwanda and championed a fund-raising initiative "100 Days of Hope" in 2006. Hope Rwanda now runs long-term development projects, such as Hope Education and the Village of Hope, and has hosted Parramatta Eels trips to Rwanda with CEO Paul OsbornePaul Osborne
Paul Osborne is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, administrator and politician. He played first-grade rugby league for the St George Dragons and Canberra Raiders before serving as a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 1995 until 2001...
.
Shout to the Lord
Zschech's best known song is "Shout to the LordShout to the Lord
Shout to the Lord is a live praise and worship album of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Music.-Making of the album:Shout to the Lord was recorded live at the Hills Christian Life Centre by Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team....
", sung by an estimated 25–30 million churchgoers every week. This song is the title track for the first live album co-produced with Integrity Music featuring Zschech as a worship leader. Shout to the Lord was nominated as Album of the Year for the 1997 Dove Awards and Song of the Year for the 1998 Dove Awards. It has been recorded on over 20 different albums. In 2000, Zschech received a Dove Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year and has received the "International Award" from the Gospel Music Association (GMA) in the United States.
Songs
Songs written or co-written by Zschech include:- Stone's Been Rolled AwayStone's Been Rolled AwayStone's Been Rolled Away is the second album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:...
(1993)- "Your Name"
- People Just Like UsPeople Just Like UsPeople Just Like Us is the third live praise and worship album of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:People Just Like Us was recorded live at the Hills Entertainment Centre by Geoff Bullock, Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team...
(1994)- "Shout to the LordShout to the LordShout to the Lord is a live praise and worship album of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Music.-Making of the album:Shout to the Lord was recorded live at the Hills Christian Life Centre by Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team....
"
- "Shout to the Lord
- Friends in High Places (1995)
- "Praise His Holy Name"
- "Rock of Ages" with Geoff BullockGeoff BullockGeoff Bullock is an Australian Christian singer-songwriter and pianist best known for his song "The Power of Your Love". He began his journey of faith in 1977, when he was in his early twenties....
- "Lord I Give Myself"
- God Is in the HouseGod Is in the HouseGod Is in the House is the fifth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It is also the first Hillsong Album where Darlene Zschech was Worship Pastor.-Making of the album:...
(1996)- "God Is in the House" with Russell Fragar
- "And That My Soul Knows Very Well" with Fragar
- "Let the Peace of God Reign"
- "Walking in the Light"
- "I Will Run To You"
- All Things Are PossibleAll Things Are PossibleAll Things Are Possible is the sixth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:...
(1997)- "All Things Are Possible"
- "I Live to Know You"
- "I Know It"
- "Glory to the King"
- Touching Heaven Changing EarthTouching Heaven Changing EarthTouching Heaven Changing Earth is the seventh album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:...
(1998)- "That's What We Came Here For" with Fragar
- "I Will Bless You Lord"
- "Jesus You're All I Need"
- "The Potter's Hand"
- By Your Side (1999)
- "Sing of Your Great Love"
- "Free to Dance"
- For This CauseFor This CauseFor This Cause is the ninth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:...
(2000)- "Here to Eternity" with David Moyse
- "It Is You"
- You Are My WorldYou Are My WorldYou Are My World is the tenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:...
(2001)- "Irresistible"
- "Glorious"
- "To You"
- "Worthy Is the Lamb"
- BlessedBlessed (Hillsong album)Blessed is the eleventh album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:...
(2002)- "Blessed" with Reuben MorganReuben MorganReuben Morgan is the worship pastor and one of several worship leaders and songwriters alongside Darlene Zschech at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won...
- "Blessed" with Reuben Morgan
- HopeHope (Hillsong album)Hope is the twelfth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church.-Making of the album:Hope was recorded live at the new Hillsong Convention Centre over two nights in early 2003 by Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team...
(2003)- "My Hope"
- "Call"
- "You Are"
- For All You've DoneFor All You've DoneFor All You've Done is the thirteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It debuted at Number 1 on the Australian album chart on 12 July 2004.-Recording:...
(2004)- "You Are Worthy"
- "Glorify Your Name" with David Holmes
- God He ReignsGod He ReignsGod He Reigns is the fourteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. A single-disc version of this album was released in the USA by Integrity Media.-Making of the album:...
(2005)- "Saviour"
- "Know You More"
- Mighty to Save (2006)
- "More to See" with Mia Fieldes, Deborah Ezzy (Zschech's sister), Donia Makadonez & Nigel Hendroff
- "I Believe"
- "At the Cross" with Reuben MorganReuben MorganReuben Morgan is the worship pastor and one of several worship leaders and songwriters alongside Darlene Zschech at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won...
- Saviour KingSaviour KingSaviour King is the sixteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It debuted at #6 on the ARIA album chart on 9 July 2007, while the DVD debuted at #2 on the DVD chart...
(2007)- "One Thing" with Marty SampsonMarty SampsonMarty Sampson is a Christian songwriter and a worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Originally featuring in the Youth Alive albums of the late 1990s, he was one of original Hillsong United worship leaders. Guitar is his main instrument and he occasionally plays the piano. He...
- "One Thing" with Marty Sampson
- This Is Our GodThis Is Our GodThis Is Our God is the seventeenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It was recorded live at the Acer Arena on 9 March 2008 by Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Darlene Zschech ,and the Hillsong Live Worship team with a crowd of over 10,000...
(2008)- "High and Lifted Up" with Mike Guglielmucci
- Faith + Hope + LoveFaith + Hope + LoveFaith + Hope + Love is the eighteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It was recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 29 March 2009 by the Hillsong Live Worship team led by Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech & Joel Houston...
(2009)- "His Glory Appears" with Marty SampsonMarty SampsonMarty Sampson is a Christian songwriter and a worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Originally featuring in the Youth Alive albums of the late 1990s, he was one of original Hillsong United worship leaders. Guitar is his main instrument and he occasionally plays the piano. He...
- "His Glory Appears" with Marty Sampson
- A Beautiful ExchangeA Beautiful ExchangeA Beautiful Exchange is the nineteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It was recorded at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and Hillsong Church in Australia by Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech, Joel Houston and the Hillsong Worship Team...
(2010)- "Believe" with Reuben MorganReuben MorganReuben Morgan is the worship pastor and one of several worship leaders and songwriters alongside Darlene Zschech at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won...
- "Believe" with Reuben Morgan
- God is Able (2011)
- "Cry of the Broken"
- You Are Love (2011)
- "Under Grace"
- "Saving Me"
- "You Are Love"
- "We are Your People"
- "I Will Wait"
- "Beautiful"
- "Hope for Humanity"
- "Faithful"
- "Cry of the Broken"
- "Face to face"
See also
- Extravagant Worship: The Songs of Darlene ZschechExtravagant Worship: The Songs of Darlene ZschechExtravagant Worship: The Songs of Darlene Zschech is a compilation praise and worship album of Christian Contemporary music by the Hillsong Church.-Album details:...
- Kiss of HeavenKiss of HeavenKiss of Heaven is the first solo album released in 10 years by Hillsong Church's worship pastor, Darlene Zschech.While Kiss of Heaven has been credited as the debut solo album of Darlene Zschech, it is not her first solo album...
- Change Your World
- You Are Love