Exclusive Stephen McWhirter and Jason Clayborn Proclaim God Is ‘Rapha’s’ Healer

“Rapha,” the passionate new single from acclaimed singer/songwriter and worship leader Stephen McWhirter and GRAMMY and Award-nominated Jason Clayborn Stellar AwardsEast now available by Lula Street Records (Integrity Music). Written by the duo and produced by McWhirter, “Rapha” is an anthemic celebration of the name and nature of God the Healer. Drawing on a range of classic rock, Motown, pop and Gospel grooves, Stephen McWhirter and Jason Clayborn’s soul-infused sound has garnered critical acclaim, creating a unique space in today’s worship landscape today. In this TCB exclusive, the duo reflects on their collaborative efforts, the songwriting process for the new single, and how they hope “Rapha” will impact and inspire listeners.

You co-wrote the new single “Rapha” together. Is there a moment that stands out in your memory from the writing or recording sessions?
Jason: We met every Wednesday and wrote live on Instagram and Facebook.
Stephen: We were writing in front of people, which is an interesting thing to do. We were very realistic about it but the moment we started talking about it through writing music, I’m working on something that I need to say, not that I’m just trying to teach. I really need to believe it. So we were talking about healing – I saw God healing. I was addicted to meth and was radically cured of a life of addiction, but I also saw people die of cancer, and that’s a very real conversation. For us, we must declare who He is despite what we see. It doesn’t change. We don’t always see what we want to see. There’s a lyric in the song that says “We rely on your power, you’ll do what can’t be done/Either now or forever, we know it’s coming.” »It’s our way of approaching what you do when you can’t see it. It struck us as we registered the magnitude of this conversation.
Jason: And there are so many different styles of healing. I found out last night that a prominent member of our church on one of our campuses committed suicide. He suffered from PTSD. And I have a friend who goes back and forth to Baltimore for treatment because he has a rare type of cancer.
Stephen: We are coming out of two years of pandemic. And there are many people who don’t realize they are struggling with depression. Especially with teenagers and young adults. God is real and He is truly peace and a healer. There is no panacea that comes from man.

How do you hope this single will impact others?
Stephen: Ultimately, it’s not just about people hearing a song. It’s about people listening to it and thinking about God. Someone once said something to me that seemed very confusing at first: “Do you want to be healed or do you want to know the healer?” » Do you want a total utilitarian exchange or just love and know God? It’s something that opens your eyes. You really get to know Him. This is our hope.

Is there a saying that means something different to you now than when you first encountered it?
Jason: “Either now or forever, we know it’s going to happen. » The phrase says that it doesn’t matter if you are not healed here and now because in eternity you will be healed. How many different ways did God heal in the Bible – all the different times and ways he brought healing. So this song can come now or forever, but you can build a relationship with the One who heals.
Stephen: We released this song on July 8th, which was a close friend’s birthday. It wasn’t on purpose; I didn’t know it was his birthday. She was diagnosed with cancer and three days later she died. I played at the funeral last Sunday and spoke a lyric that you didn’t know was going to be so personal to you. And that’s the reality of this – it’s all really short this side of eternity. And sometimes you see His hand in things because I couldn’t have predicted that. It’s one of the most impactful lyrics we’ve ever written. And by accident.

You also released a music video – why was it important for you to pair “Rapha” with a visual element?
Stephen: It’s as simple as sometimes the music doesn’t exist if you don’t have a video. We want as many people as possible to hear and encounter this song.
Jason: And since it’s a corporate worship song, anyone can sing it and declare it. So we have people wondering what other attributes of God are and how to know them.
Stephen: Throughout the Gospels you hear this message. And John 3:16 is an example that we should want eternal life. And then in John 17:3, Jesus prays for the disciples to have eternal life, that is, to know Him, the only true God. Knowing him changes everything. You may know me, but not know me the way my wife and children know me. There’s a different intimacy there, and when you apply that to the Lord, you don’t guess who He is because you know Him.

Why do you continue to collaborate on new music? What do you think you can produce together that you are not as able to separate?
Jason: Honestly, he’s my brother. And I feel like that’s what God wants us to do. It’s the kingdom – it’s not him trying to make me who he is or me trying to make him who I am. We are who we are in the kingdom and we come together to allow God to create through us. We have a good time and I can worship and praise with my brother. We have all kinds of conversations. It’s a brotherhood and I think it’s very organic what God is doing with us, and why not drop the music when we sound good together.
Stephen: If it wasn’t fun, we wouldn’t do it.

Where do you currently draw your inspiration, whether musically or spiritually?
Jason: The Bible. Are we singing and saying what the Lord wants us to say, or are we just looking for a good song? We want to sing what He wants to say.
Stephen: We both love worship and the gospel, but I haven’t been able to get a single thing out of it.

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of 2022?
Stephen: We just released “Rapha” and have recorded a total of eight songs, so we will be releasing singles throughout the year. We have another one coming out that we wrote with our friend that’s coming out in September, and then some Christmas stuff.

The post office Exclusive: Stephen McWhirter and Jason Clayborn Proclaim God Is ‘Rapha’s Healer appeared first on TCA.

Author: Jessie Clarks

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