Darlene Zschech is an experienced worship leader who has served Christianity in Australia for nearly 40 years. She and her husband, Mark, have pastored churches both in Australia and around the world. She is best known for writing Shout to the Lord, a song that became popular worldwide and changed how churches worship. Darlene believes that true worship comes from the heart, not from putting on a performance.
Recently, Darlene joined us on Rise & Shine to talk about the meaning of music and worship in her life. “Music and songs give us a vehicle that involves our emotions,” says Darlene. “Music is the one thing that helps unlock a human heart unlike anything else on the planet. It’s truly a gift from God from us to Him. It’s not about us, it’s about the glory of God.”
Darlene believes that real worship isn’t just about the music, it comes from feeling God’s love. When we truly experience His love, we naturally sing about His greatness with our whole heart. For her, music is a special gift from God that lets us express our deepest emotions and lifts our spirits upward.
Reflecting on her life, Darlene recalls a special moment with God when she was 15. Even though she was experienced in music, she wasn’t sure what to do with her talent. Some women in her church helped her understand that her gift was meant for worship and serving others. She discovered that the joy she had been searching for in music came from leading worship, despite her initial fears about the responsibilities.
True Worship Comes From the Heart
“The Lord, in His patience, gently took me on that journey over many years,” says Darlene. “I think you find the confidence, but it’s got to be partnered with humility. The Bible says to go and make disciples, and that’s one of our main jobs as Jesus followers. And I don’t lead worship every weekend anymore, but I’m always there championing others who do.”
Darlene recalls a time when she and her husband, Mark, were facing some serious financial issues. Feeling frustrated, she sat at an old piano in their small apartment and began to play. While reading Psalms 95 and 100 for inspiration, Shout to The Lord came together in just 20 minutes. At first, she wasn’t sure if the song was any good, but other worship leaders recognised its beauty when she shared it. This heartfelt song became a special gift from God, inspiring believers all around the world.
“The thing about the centrality of Christ in our lives,” says Darlene, “is He doesn’t come and go when times are good or times are tough. And worshipping through storms, isn’t that the point?”
“Worship is a weapon. It’s fuel, because it asks the noise of the world to be quiet as we review Christ in the midst of whatever is going on. And you can be confident that God is with you.”
Listen to Darlene’s full interview below:
