Renowned Worship Leader, Dove Award-winning Singer/Songwriter and Producer of hundreds of songs sung around the world that make Jesus loud, Yancy Wideman Richmond authors her first book with the recent offering of Sweet Sound: The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship available now wherever books are sold. Echoing the cry of her heart and ministry, the book was written to help children’s ministry leaders in churches create a rhythm of worship.
Full of prophetic, practical, and power-filled truth, this long-awaited book and highly sought-after resource encompasses Yancy’s life ministry of leading kids into the presence of Jesus by using examples from the life of King David, as well as her own personal experiences. Through Sweet Sound, Yancy is purposed to empower the reader to raise up kids who desire to live a life of worship on a daily basis, not only on Sundays, as they unlock the power of discipling kids in worship.
Challenging those in children’s ministry and church worship to “STOP just doing songs and START leading worship,” Yancy shares the importance of making disciples who know what it means to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
“I have a dream that one day every church leader will champion worship to happen in the disciples they are making,” says Yancy. “I want to help kids learn the rhythm of running to the Father in everything they go through. If we can begin teaching them that from the time they are young, and give them practice through repetition over the weeks and years ahead, then we will have a generation of adults that understand the importance of their worship to God. One of the ways we taste and see that He is good is by experiencing His presence. Worship is a gateway to that presence. I want to leave kids wanting more of who He is and longing for time spent in the presence of our loving, heavenly Father.” (Note: Click to see the video here.)
In Sweet Sound, Yancy gives readers a clear understanding on why worship for kids matters and what Jesus says about it, noting that each person, no matter what age, was designed to praise and that our worship includes the praises of children, which are powerful, beautiful and sweet.
“Can you imagine children singing out, with their whole hearts, praises to their King?” asks Yancy. “It’s quite possibly the sweetest sounds you will ever hear! It matters,” continues Yancy. “Jesus himself said, ‘From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise.’ (Matthew 21:16 NIV) Together let’s learn to lift up the sweet sound of praise we were made for!”
Through this game-changing resource and book, the author will:
* Share important worship leading tips based on King David’s example in scripture.
* Unpack specific “How to’s” ranging from introducing new songs, creating motions, supporting families, leading preschoolers and planning intentional worship sets.
* Help leaders expand the vision and practically learn to make time count while leading and discipling children in worship every week.
Yancy’s hope is to open the eyes of leaders to see what worship should be in our churches and how to set healthy spiritual goals while offering practical pro-tips that have been tested and proven to help leaders plan, evaluate and find success at leading kids worship. Furthermore, the principles in Sweet Sound will show leaders how to cultivate daily disciplines and expressions of worship through power-filled ministry in the church as they raise life-long followers of Jesus.
The book’s foreword is written by Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated worship artist Kari Jobe, who is also a fellow mom and worship leader at The Belonging Co Church in Nashville, TN. Jobe shares, “In this book you’re going to read not just Yancy’s personal story and what God has revealed to her about worship, but also His heart to move through you, and the practical ways you can cultivate the sweet sound of children’s worship, helping them encounter His presence in life-changing ways.”
Jobe continues, “Whether you’re a pastor, leader, parent or student, I’m praying the Holy Spirit will speak to you clearly in the pages ahead that Yancy has so prayerfully and anointedly written…As you experience God’s tangible, wonderful, life-changing presence, may you cultivate an atmosphere for kids to fill the air with a sweet sound of worship.”
Michayla White, CEO for the International Network of Children’s Ministry (INCM), adds,“This book will empower you to unlock the power of discipling kids in worship so that they live lives of worship on a daily basis. No more just doing songs on Sundays. Let’s shepherd the hearts of our kids to praise and adore their Redeemer! This book gives you the foundation and principles needed to move that vision forward in unity. Grab your copy of Sweet Sound by Yancy today. It’s for you and anyone passionate about the discipleship of kids. Fair warning: your own relationship with Jesus and worshiping Him will be so enriched and deepened in the process.”
In addition to Sweet Sound, Yancy just released her newest album April 22 entitled, Out of This World, from her popular Yancy and Friends, Little Praise Party series, which won her a 2021 “Children’s Album of the Year” GMA Dove Award for Ready Set Go. This latest music offering for young children, written by Yancy and produced by Stephen Leiweke, may be previewed HERE or streamed at Apple Music, Spotify and more.
For all the latest news and details on Sweet Sound, visit yancyministries.com/sweetsound.
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