Michael Bethany releases live album, 'Sanctuary'

19-track album, companion videos feature Grammy-winning Maverick City Music’s Maryanne George, Alton Eugene; Elevation Worship’s Isaiah Templeton; The Choir Room’s Dwan Hill

Press release

Singer, songwriter, producer and twice Dove Award-nominated recording artist Michael Bethany recently released his anticipated album “Sanctuary.” Available at digital and streaming outlets globally in partnership with Capitol CMG’s Re:Think Music via https://michaelbethany.lnk.to/sanctuary, the 19-track album and companion videos were recorded live at Freedom Church in Dallas (Carrollton).

Produced by Bethany, Ryan Rich (Martin Smith, Elyssa Smith) and Kevin Turner (Marvin Sapp, Tauren Wells), “Sanctuary” features Grammy Award-winning guest artists including Maverick City Music’s Maryanne George and Alton Eugene, Elevation Worship’s Isaiah Templeton, and The Choir Room’s Dwan Hill. Carrying a deep atmosphere of intimacy and reverence, the album reminds listeners that worship is more than a moment; it is a life lived as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

“This album is a collection of corporate worship songs that help people to see themselves as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit,” Bethany emphasized. “It is constantly pressing into the concept of the individual being the dwelling place. I want people to experience the power of God's presence in their own personal life.”

Bethany said this is one of the reasons that explains the length of the songs, which combine for an impressive 100 minutes of music and video: “I wanted people to listen to a song until they got to a place where they can really spend time with the Lord. Typically, a song might be three and a half, four or five minutes. But if you spend time with the Lord, it's as long as you have. And so, we just take a journey and create that environment so you can experience what the Holy Spirit's wanting to do within your own heart and your own temple.”

Of the declarative, up-tempo song of prayer “Gold,” Bethany said, “The lyrics are serious about wanting the Holy Spirit to cleanse me, purify me and make me more like him until I come out like gold. It’s praying for revival: ‘Lord, I want your holy fire to purify my heart and keep me in that fire until I come out like pure gold. We're thirsty for your presence. Revival come.’ ”

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The album also declares God’s greatness even in seasons of uncertainty with “Be Magnified,” a song written while he was reading through the book of Habakkuk; the intimate worship song, “Secret Place,” featuring an unplanned moment with Templeton; “Holy One,” written alongside Templeton and Elevation Worship’s Davide Mutendji; and the message of living one day at a time with steady faith and trust in “Step by Step,” written by Bethany to encourage his cousins during a difficult season when their mother was walking through dementia.

For Bethany and his Overflow Culture Global movement, the music is just the beginning. The heart behind the “Sanctuary” album is intrinsically linked to a mission of tangible restoration across the globe. From providing clean water in Sri Lanka to building educational infrastructure in West Africa, every note played on stage is fueled by a commitment to serve the “least of these.”

For all the latest Bethany music, touring and more news, go to: https://www.michaelbethany.com/, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.

More about Michael Bethany: Bethany is an international speaker, multi-award-winning Christian artist, and highly sought-after mentor for worship leaders, artists and creatives around the world. Known for helping worship pastors build healthy, effective systems within their departments, he is passionate about cultivating transformational worship experiences rooted in spiritual depth and excellence.

His first album, released in partnership with Re:Think, “Overflow,” received two 2024 GMA Dove Award nominations for Best Gospel Worship Album and Best Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “Fill the Room.” A Stellar Award-nominated songwriter and two-time BMI Christian Song Award recipient (Fred Hammond’s No. 1 Billboard hit “They That Wait” and “Here In Our Praise”), Bethany has collaborated with musical greats Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann and Leeland Mooring. His online worship moments have garnered over 75 million YouTube views, and he has launched the nonprofit organization, Overflow Culture, plus released the book (and podcast), “Life in the Wild.”