Five Questions for Laura Story

Laura Story — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:56 -0700

Laura Story is an accomplished songwriter and recording artist who penned the worship anthem, "Indescribable." She is also the lead spokesman for the Catalyst Music Project and recorded the first single, "What a Savior." Laura recently took time out from her busy tour schedule to answer Five Questions from ConversantLife.

You've got a great name for someone whose passion it is to tell the story of God's love through music. How much influence has your name had on your work?

Well, I’ve never really thought about it. But it is kinda strange how that works out. I do find that the only thing worth sharing with anyone is how God’s grace intersects our story. Our whole lives are simply stories of God’s faithfulness.

Your bio says that you were once an aspiring symphony conductor. Did you have lofty aspirations to be the next Leonard Bernstein, or did you just enjoy telling other musicians what to do?

That’s pretty funny. I really wasn’t that far into professional symphonic music but I have always loved playing in orchestras and was very interested in doing that vocationally. God definitely has used my classical training to help me understand the ins and outs of music and to make me a better songwriter.

A lot of people probably don't know that you wrote the song, "Indescribable," which Chris Tomlin recorded and made famous. That song has to be in the top ten of worship songs of all time. What's it like to write a song that so many people sing every week as an anthem of praise to God?

It is pretty crazy to think about what God has done with the song Indescribable. It was the first worship song I had ever written and I remember singing it with my college worship team in our campus chapel services. I am thankful that God used me to be the vessel to write it and hope theat the glory continues to go to Him alone.

So are you a songwriter who sings, or a singer who writes songs?

I am more of a songwriter who sings. I started as a songwriter who played bass and let other people in the band sing my songs; but over the years, God has really drawn me out of my comfort zone. I’ve never had a flashy voice. I can’t do any Mariah Carey-like vocal acrobatics but God has given me a voice that is sufficient to sing the songs he has placed in my heart. I am reminded each time I get up in front of people that serving God isn’t about being the best; its about being obedient.

You are currently the spokesperson for the Catalyst Music Project, and the song you recorded, "What a Savior," is the lead song. Tell us about the Project and how you came to be involved.

I have a great deal of respect for the Catalyst Conference. I am a worship leader at a church in north Atlanta and, over the years, I have seen Catalyst train, equip and inspire countless worship leaders in our area and all over the globe. This new step they have taken in adding Catalyst Music Project is just another example of that: equipping leaders of local churches by sharing songs written by leaders of local churches. I am excited to see what God will do through these great songs.

Laura's Story

Laura Story — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:14 -0800

Like the twists and turns of a mountain road, Laura Story’s life has held its share of unexpected moments--some exhilarating, some terrifying, and some simply beautiful to behold. Leaning solely on her faith in the sovereignty of God, Laura has learned that no matter what comes around the next bend, it’s going to be an incredible view.

Once an aspiring symphony conductor, Story didn’t even know she could sing—much less write songs—until she was in her early twenties. Today, Laura is not only a gifted vocalist and worship leader but also the composer of one of the most beloved worship songs of our generation: “Indescribable.” The song has topped charts and been recorded by multiple artists, but most importantly, it has helped people all over the world experience our magnificent God.

What brought “Indescribable” into churches all across the U.S. and the world was when Chris Tomlin recorded it for his 2004 release, Arriving. Immediately, the song flew up the AC Charts, where it stayed #1 for 7 weeks and in the top 15 for 50.

“Laura has a genuine understanding of a well crafted lyric,” says Tomlin. “She carries herself with true humility as well. Laura is a wonderful songwriter and artist, and through the song “Indescribable,” I am honored to be a small extension of her ministry.”

Laura’s next project, “Great God Who Saves,” declares her tried-by-fire confidence in God’s faithfulness in unforgettable, utterly infectious songs like “Mighty To Save,” “Immortal, Invisible God,” “Great God Who Saves,” and “Bless The Lord.” These are melodic, piano-driven worship imbued with the peace and joy that comes only on the heels of suffering.

Currently Laura is the lead spokesperson for the Catalyst Music Project, an ambitious project designed to find out what songs are impacting this generation. Project organizers put out the call to worship leaders and songwriters all over the country: “Show us what is connecting in your community—the home-grown songs that are already impacting lives in your local churches—and we’ll make those songs available to the world.”

More than 500 churches participated, with 300 worship leaders submitting 750 songs. The powerful result is Catalyst Music Project, which features 12 organic anthems—performed by the creators, along with artists like Phil Wickham, Fee, Heather Williams, and Laura Story.

For her part, Laura performs the beautiful “What a Savior,” written by Jeremiah Jones. It’s the first song to be released from the Catalyst Music Project.

When she’s not recording or touring, Laura ministers to 100+ women through her job at Perimeter Church in Georgia, and it’s not a job she’s giving up anytime soon. After all, the opportunity to pour into others’ lives and treasure each moment reminds Laura that she is just a passenger on this remarkable journey.

“Mine is not the prefect voice or the perfect life,” Laura says. “My life is as messy as the next person’s, and God is using me to speak to the church. For this season of my life, God has really blessed me with some insight into who He is and what that has to do with me. For some reason He just gives it to me in song form.”