
Iconic, multi-Platinum®-selling, four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Michael W. Smith is joined by GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and Elevation Worship founding member Chris Brown on the new expression of “Agnus Dei.” Available now at digital and streaming outlets everywhere, the song is the fourth single from the full-length, Billboard-featured House of Worship that releases Jan. 23, 2026. The album is available to pre-order/save now from The Fuel Music via https://slinky.to/HouseofWorship.
Originally released on Smith’s 1990, Platinum-selling album Go West Young Man, “Agnus Dei” was inspired by Revelation 19:6 and has been recorded hundreds of times over the years since. It is one of the most enduring and beloved worship songs today.
Smith recounts the steps that led to the original recording: “I think I was in a mode of writing something for my church and this song literally fell out of the sky,” he recalls. “I remember weeping at my piano, going, ‘Oh my God, what just happened here.’ Then I started thinking, ‘I need to record this song.’” While it didn’t seem to fit with the Go West Young Man album he was working on at that time, he “had this whole vision of going to New York City and working with the American Boy Choir.” Bringing in Ron Huff to create the orchestration, Smith sang the song with the boys and says, “The rest is history.”
“A lot of these young people, when they hear ‘Agnus Dei,’ they have no idea that the original song was from Go West Young Man,” continues Smith. “They just know it maybe from my Worship record (2001), or maybe the Passion album [Call On Heaven (Come, Lord Jesus) – Live] released this year. It still strikes a chord, ushering people into worship.”
“I think ‘Agnus Dei’ was one of my earliest memories, if not the first time I felt like the song that we see in Revelation being sung was set to melody,” reflects Brown, clarifying that he was about 12 at the time and thought it was the original melody the historical Church sang.
“One of our goals and hope when we record a night of worship is we want the presence of God to be experienced in the room,” continues Brown, who is nominated for two 2026 GRAMMY Awards. “But then we would hope people would find that same presence in the kitchen and waiting at the soccer field. And I feel like you did that with this song.”
“Agnus Dei” follows last month’s release of “I Want To Sing Of Your Love Forever - Live” featuring songwriter, producer and modern worship pioneer Martin Smith and Gold-certified singer, songwriter and worship leader Josh Baldwin; “Here I Am To Worship - Live” featuring original writer and Dove Award-winning Tim Hughes and four-time GRAMMY®-nominated Cody Carnes; and lead single “Shout To The Lord - Live,” a duet by original writer and Dove Award-winning, RIAA Gold®-selling Australian worship pioneer Darlene Zschech and 17-time GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel icon CeCe Winans.
The groundbreaking House of Worship album unites for the first time the world’s most iconic worship artists with today’s leading and emerging voices in worship music. Twenty-five artists in all collaborate to reimagine classics, offering a fresh and inspiring expression that bridges generations and celebrates the enduring power of worship music. Together, these artists have received 48 GRAMMY Awards (142 nominations), including four nominations this month, and 183 Dove Awards, including seven awards last month.
Following the release of the album, a one-of-a-kind House of Worship event is set to stream Feb. 1, 2026 in partnership with The Fuel Music and in:ciite® Events. Churches, small groups and more are invited to register at https://houseofworshipmusic.com/events/ for this World Vision sponsored event that promises to be an unforgettable night of worship with believers from around the globe.
Artists featured on the recording and stream include Brenton Brown, Brian and Jenn Johnson, Brian Doerksen, CeCe Winans, Charity Gayle, Chris Brown (Elevation Worship), Chris McClarney, Christy Nockels, Cody Carnes, Darlene Zschech, Ed Cash (We The Kingdom), Hillary Scott (Lady A), Israel Houghton, Josh Baldwin, Kari Jobe, Leeland Mooring, Martin Smith, Matt Redman, Michael W. Smith, Mitch Wong, Naomi Raine, Pat Barrett, Paul Baloche and Tim Hughes.
Produced by Paul Mabury and John Hartley, House of Worship features Michael W. Smith on piano; twice GRAMMY-winning Mabury on drums; three-time GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning Dwan Hill on organ; Stu Garrard on guitar; David Curran on bass; and more stellar musicians.
The full, House of Worship project, executive produced by Michael W. Smith and Zschech, was recorded and filmed in-the-round at World Wide Stages (Spring Hill, TN) with all 25 artists together in the same room.
Ori Music Group proudly presents the House of Worship project, a bold testament to its commitment to creating, funding and creatively directing impactful content that inspires, uplifts and fosters hope, guiding people across the globe toward intimacy with God.
The concept, ideation and creative content for House of Worship comes from industry veterans and co-executive producers Danny McGuffey, Steve Nicolle and John Hartley.
All the latest House of Worship project music, news and more, can be found at: https://houseofworshipmusic.com/, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Amazon Music.
About Michael W. Smith:
Multi-Platinum artist Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 40+ years. During his storied career, he’s written and recorded over 36 No. 1 songs, been bestowed with four GRAMMY® Awards, 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. More than just an outstanding songwriter and performer, Smith has given back to the global community throughout his career. He has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa, started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000 children through Compassion International. (http://michaelwsmith.com/)
About Chris Brown:
Singer, songwriter and founding member of multi-platinum-selling worship group Elevation Worship, Chris Brown has received a GRAMMY Award and 12 GRAMMY nominations, including two 2026 nominations recognizing his contributions as a songwriter of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and “I Know a Name.” He has also received 13 Dove Awards and co-written a number of well-known worship anthems, such as the Double Platinum-certified “Praise,” “Jireh” and “O Come to the Altar.” As an Elevation Worship member, he has received five Billboard Music Awards, a K-LOVE Fan Award, topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart eight times, and earned five No. 1 radio singles: "Graves Into Gardens," "RATTLE!," "Same God," “Trust In God” and “Praise.” He has further collaborated with numerous artists, including Maverick City Music, Brandon Lake and Kari Jobe.
About The Fuel Music:
Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-Platinum artists. (www.thefuelmusic.com)
For more info on Michael W. Smith, visit the JFH Artists Database.
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