‘In Every Generation’ Initiative Debuts Intergenerational Worship Album

Project bridges faith, friendship and music across generations 

Songwriters spanning six decades lifted their voices together at Ocean Way Studios earlier this year to record the debut album from “In Every Generation,” an initiative uniting musicians ages 17 to 78 in crafting worship songs that celebrate friendship across generations, funded by a $1.25 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant.  

Last October, the initiative held “The Friendship Project” songwriting camps that brought together songwriters of all ages to explore how worship can connect generations through friendship. The early sessions from these camps inspired the songs on the project’s debut album, “Vol. 1: Friendship.” 

The idea for “In Every Generation” emerged after the Lilly Endowment invited Belmont to propose an initiative under its “Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer” program, a response to declining participation among younger churchgoers. 

“Lilly asked us to lean into our strengths as an institution,” said Dr. Christina Carnes Ananias, Lilly Endowment faculty fellow in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. “Belmont sits at the heart of the Christian music industry, surrounded by gifted songwriters and theologians. It was the perfect environment to model how worship can bridge generations.” 

Friendship Through Worship 

The project’s central theme — friendship — surfaced naturally from scripture and experience, explained Dr. Adam Perez, assistant professor of worship studies and co-author of the grant proposal. 

“When we think about the primary ways Christians gather and engage with one another, worship is right on the surface,” he said. “We see in scripture examples of younger and older people experiencing friendship together, and that became the heartbeat of our work.” 

Wanting to innovate beyond ministry models that segregate congregations by age, the team sought to create music with every generation rather than for one. “We aren’t making music for children or adults or teenagers,” Ananias said. “We’re making music with them, all at the same table.” 

“The way that we are hoping to shape the way churches think about age diversity in their worship communities is by simply modeling intergenerationality and showing how the arts are really a key way to do that,” she added. “Maybe one of the easiest ways to do intergenerational discipleship and ministry is by putting a project like this in front of them (write a song, record a song, play a song, perform a song) and seeing how the different generations come together to play and to learn about God together.” 

A Songwriting Community of All Ages 

Two intensive songwriting camps gathered more than 50 writers at Belmont’s historic studios. Participants, from Grammy-winning veterans to student songwriters, created more than 40 songs exploring how faith and friendship intertwine. 

“The word honor comes to mind,” said Perez. “Folks were so eager to give and grateful to receive honor from writers of other ages. The old thought the young wouldn’t appreciate them and vice versa. Both were wrong.” 

One of Ananias’s favorite memories involves a song called “He Walks Beside Me,” co-written by a woman in her 20s, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 70s. “It’s a prayer about trusting God through anxiety,” she said. “When you write and sing that with people who’ve lived through very different seasons of life, it becomes something sacred. Our project is really about creating those kinds of connections — those life-changing and church-shaping connections that keep people’s faith alive and their connection to the church vital and lasting.” 

From Studio to Sanctuary 

The resulting album, “Vol. 1: Friendship,” showcases the fruit of these collaborations. Recorded at Ocean Way Nashville, the sessions featured a full band, choir and even a family picnic that turned into a dance party as children twirled through the pews. One track, “Helper,” has already been featured on an Amazon Music Christian playlist, expanding the project’s reach well beyond campus. 

Belmont hosted a special chapel service, Nov. 5, highlighting songs from the album, with contributions from Drs. Steve Guthrie, Perez and alumnus Andrew Osenga. The event offered students and guests a glimpse of intergenerational worship in action. 

“What I hope our community takes away,” said Ananias, “is a desire to seek that same kind of connection in their churches — to carry this vision of unity wherever they serve.” 

A Model for the Church 

For Perez, the project demonstrates how faith, art and community can flourish together. “This centers the practice of the arts in one mode — worship music — that engages directly with the life of contemporary churches,” he said. “It features creativity and innovation that respond to real needs at the intersection of the church and culture.” 

Looking ahead, the team plans to partner with local children’s ministries, release a book of theological reflections and chord charts, and bring “In Every Generation” concerts to Christian schools and churches across Tennessee. 

Ultimately, the project offers more than songs: it’s a blueprint for belonging. 

“I hope listeners hear a lot of different voices that have become dear friends and brothers and sisters in Christ,” Ananias said. “And I hope it sparks in them a longing for that same unity — the beautiful, diverse friendship that worship can bring.”