Passion Music hopes their new album will awaken a calling in the lives of young people to shine bright wherever Jesus sends them.

"This year the project is Burn Bright. It's a collection of just our people and songs that God has laid on our hearts," Melodie Malone of Passion music explains. "The passion movement has always been this desire to see students go out from that place."

The five-song project was released during the Passion 2022 conference at the beginning of the year, an event held in Georgia with 50 states and 41 countries represented in attendance.

"There is a song on this album called Shine like Stars, and that's really what it is. It says, my eyes have seen the King of Glory and I'll never be the same, now here I am, send me, Isaiah's prayer in Isaiah 6 when he is in the throne room of God," says Malone. "It's cool to see how those songs have come together and how that song in particular echoes the heartbeat of the movement in general."

A movement founded by Louie and Shelley Giglio in 1995, Passion has been rooted in the truth of Isaiah 26:8, existing to glorify God by uniting students in worship, prayer, and justice for spiritual awakening.

Passion has ushered in the writing, recording, and leading of some of the most recognizable and unforgettable worship anthems of this generation and is currently helmed by Kristian Stanfill, Brett Younker, and Melodie Malone. Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Crowder, Christy Nockels, and more have also lent their voices alongside Passion throughout the years.

Before becoming a part of Passion, Malone enjoyed worshiping from the crowd. She says being able to be up on stage has been overwhelming.

"We really get the best view in the room," says Malone. "It's crazy because you realize that you have zero to do with it. You realize that God is the one that draws people. The holy spirit is the one that brings people to life, that breathes life into people, and you just get to stand there and watch him do it."

Today on Connections, Melodie shares with us why she joined Passion Music and what it's like to be part of the Passion movement. She'll also chat about their new album, Burn Bright.