He’s been involved in worship ministry for a long, long time (since the age of 12), but Carl Cartee has managed to keep it as fresh as this morning’s coffee.
Our recent conversation with the artist who brought us "Unfailing" (Read Suite review here) reveals a bit of how he does it.
Carl, I read a tiny bit about your Mid-East tour on your blog, and I love the concept of "fearless dancing." Can you share a bit about your trip and what moved you most?
That trip was amazing. I was leading worship for a conference where mission workers from all over their region came together for refreshment and encouragement. All of them worked in an environment where their lives were at risk for the gospel. Because of that, I think they had completely released their fear into the hands of Jesus. It was so compelling to see people that had gotten over themselves worship Jesus. People who "love not their life, even unto death" sing with a different sound. They dance with a different step. It was so invigorating to see and the Spirit worked on me to make sure that my worship never gets filtered through my love for this world. It was a life changing thought.
Since your early days of worship leading, you've ministered all over the world. Do you feel a special call to global worship?
About 12 years ago God gave me a very specific and clear call for my life...Lead the nations in worship, write songs the nations will sing for God's glory and inspire others to lead worship and write songs for God's glory. Since then my heart has not only been for the people around me, but for the world. I always need to remind myself that the Kingdom is bigger than I think and worship is not a music genre... It's the activity of humanity. I am supposed to embrace that calling.
So many of your songs, as I mentioned in my review, are Sunday-morning ready. Do you write with the church in mind?
Yes. I want to write music that serves the church and equips them to connect with Jesus. One of the greatest honors of my life has been to know that churches are singing my songs in their worship times.
With a busy touring schedule, a new album, and a brand new son (Congrats!), how do you keep your focus on God?
Charlie, Brad, Steven and David. Those four names represent men who surround me on every corner with prayer, encouragement and accountability. I believe we find the truth about God and ourselves through authentic relationships. The more isolated from those guys I become the more clouded my vision for the Kingdom and Jesus becomes. So, I am in touch with them all the time, getting my bearings and being sharpened. My wife is also the wisest person I know. She reminds me of who I am and who I'm not.
On a lighter note, I love your son's name, Oak. Wanna share a bit about the source of that fresh name idea?
Most people think I'm a hippie since I named my kid after a tree. We actually took a cue from Isaiah 61:3 ..."they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord." He's a little acorn now, but he's growing fast.
For more on this exciting Spring Hill Worship artist, visit his website.
