Dustin Kensrue Mars Hill Album 'The Water and The Blood' at No. 2 on iTunes With 7,000 Sold

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, October 10, 2013

Dustin Kensrue's second solo album, The Water & the Blood, which released on September 30th, sold more than 7,000 units in what was a successful launch for the Mars Hill Music/BEC Recordings groups.

The album, comprised primarily of corporate worship songs, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Christian chart, No. 52 on Billboard 200 and No. 10 on the Vinyl chart. It was also No. 2 on the iTunes Christian albums chart on the first week.

"At Mars Hill music we are really trying to write music for the local churches to sing," Kensrue told the Christian Post. "We want to proclaim and celebrate the gospel in the sense of what God has done through Jesus Christ. We are here because of what Jesus has done. He's called the church into being. There's freedom in that and there's a lot to be celebrated."

Kensrue is formerly the lead singer of post-hardcore/indie rock band Thrice. Currently on an extended hiatus, the songwriter is taking his talents elsewhere as he became Worship Pastor for Mars Hill Church in Bellevue Washington.

His album, The Water & the Blood, could help usher in a change for worship music. Using thoughtful and intelligently written lyrics straight from the Bible and mixing it with masterfully composed music, Kensrue's mission for powerful "corporate worship" may be able to draw in the people who need it the most-- unbelievers.

He was able to create music that was both artful and focused on Jesus without any watering down on either end.

"I don't want them to just be tools for other worship leaders. I want them to be amazing worship art so that people will want to listen to them, therefore have spiritual transformation," he said.

Kensrue once again was able to bare his soul on a record, and this time, his soul revealed what was at its core, Jesus.

Kensrue will be leading worship at the 2013 Resurgence Conference November 5 and 6, organized by TheResurgence.com, a ministry started by Mars Hill Church.