Aaron Williams
Aaron Williams is passionate about helping people discover and develop an abiding relationship with Jesus. With his organization, The Way of Worship, whether it is through thoughtful songwriting, intentional investment in others, or heartfelt worship leading, his aim is the same: to creatively lead people to know and love Jesus with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
His ministry’s greatest aim and dream is to see a generation of Jesus followers whose focus is to make the Lord increasingly famous during an age of obsession for personal fame. His songs are an attempt to trailblaze this reality here and now. Williams recently signed as a songwriter and artist with Integrity Music in the continued pursuit of his purpose.
Last Friday, he released his new album, Abide!
Congrats on the release of your new album, Aaron! I know it’s been a long time coming. How does it feel to have these songs out in the world?
It feels awesome. I feel joy-filled and full of gratitude.
This project, more than any project I’ve ever released: every single song has a unique story behind it. And that has filled this project with a lot of personal meaning. I have also felt God to be so tangibly part of everything from writing the songs to time in the studio. There were a lot of inspiring moments where we paused and just worshiped as we were recording.
All of that to say, because there's been so much meaning behind the process, I feel incredibly joyful and grateful. I’m just excited to finally be able to share what God has been doing in my life through these songs and the co-writers who helped shape them.
You named this collection of songs “Abide” – which is a song you originally released in 2021 with Dwell Songs. Why was “abide” ultimately chosen as the overarching theme for this album? And what new lessons have you learned about abiding in God’s love, presence and peace since you first wrote the song?
I chose Abide as the overarching theme because I’ve seen God doing something unique in the Church through that song.
I’ve heard so many testimonies about how He’s teaching His people to abide in Him. I didn’t want to write ten songs that all say the word “abide,” but I did wonder what it would look like to explore what it means to abide in all of life. So It’s not a concept album in the traditional sense—I don’t use the word “abide” in every song—but if you’re listening closely, every song is connecting us to the Father. We were made to know God, to worship God, and to have our whole lives found in Him.
This album is my attempt to explore that theme through worship. I think the parallel truth God has been teaching me is that He wants to abide with me—in all the moments of life. Early on in my faith, I recognized God in the big, loud, holy moments. But over time, I’ve learned to find Him in the mundane, everyday parts of life. He’s in all of it. His presence is deeper and more expansive than we’ll ever fully grasp in this lifetime, but we get to keep learning and going deeper as long as we live. That’s what I tried to pour into these songs. I hope listeners walk away feeling like there’s a song for every season of life.
Were the songs sequenced in such a way to take the listener on their own spiritual journey in abiding?
Yes, definitely. But again, it’s not a concept album that walks you step-by-step through a journey—you have to pay attention to see it.
For example, the opening lyric of the first track, “Resurrection Hope,” is: “This has been the anchor in every generation; through trial and storm, this has been our cornerstone.” That line serves as a thesis statement. It anchors the entire album: that through every generation of Christ-followers, this is what we’ve stood upon. Then the last track is the most sorrowful. I wrote it during a season of deep grief after my friend Brian died unexpectedly. At the end of the song, we tagged a powerful chorus of “It Is Well.” That final statement of the album essentially says: In our darkest days, we can place our hope in God and God alone.
Artistically, I hope it leaves people with a soul-crying declaration: no matter what I face, if I am in Christ, there will come a day when I can cry out at the top of my lungs, “It is well with my soul,” because He will make all things new. From the first lyric to the last, we’re telling a story—and I hope that story takes people on a journey of what it looks like to abide in God.
Tell us about some of the key collaborators on this album and how you all blended modern and more traditional/organic musical elements on this record.
I love blending musical elements that are kind of on opposite ends of the spectrum.
For example, modern synths with string instruments, or foundational band sounds with programming. That contrast is what I love most in music—bringing together things that usually live separately. So that was really important to me on this record, and I think we achieved that balance in the best way we could.
As far as collaborators, I worked with some incredible people. Bryan Fowler, Jason Ingram, and Colton Price all produced on the album—I have so much respect for each of them. Co-writers included those three, as well as Jess Cates, Amanda Cook, Tommy Iceland, and many more. It was a beautiful mix of working with some of my favorite longtime collaborators and also some brand-new voices. That combination—being stretched out of your comfort zone while also creating from a place of familiarity—was really special.
You’ve said, "I hope this album helps people understand that abiding relationship more deeply. But more intricately, I hope it speaks to the nuances of how that abiding happens.” What are some nuances of abiding that have developed/changed for you over the years?
Again, the biggest shift for me has been learning to recognize God not just in the big, emotional moments—church, worship, God opening doors—but in all the in-between spaces. And honestly, those “in-between” moments might be my favorite now. '
By “in-between,” I mean the waking up, the boring routines, parenting my kids, being at the baseball field, working—everything. When we come to know Jesus, the riches available to us in relationship with Him are so vast, it’ll take our whole lives (and beyond) to even begin to live into them. I’m realizing there's so much more of God for me to know and experience—and so much deeper relationship that I could have if I’d only pay attention. So that’s what He’s teaching me: how to pay attention in all of life.
“Simply Jesus” feels very congregational. Which other songs on this album do you hope the Church will resonate with?
Glad you think so! Honestly, I hope the church connects with all of them in some way. But one focus track is “Holy (Again and Again).” From the moment we wrote it, I’ve tried to include it in almost every set I lead. I just love that song. And every time I lead it, people respond so well to it or ask about it. I think that’s because it’s very congregational, but it explores the theme of God’s holiness in a fresh, compelling way.
I also believe “Resurrection Hope” will really connect with the church. Even though it’s resurrection-themed, it’s not just for Easter. It’s a song you can lead year-round—declaring the victory of Christ over our lives and our communities. If I had to choose, those two tracks might be my highlights.
