In a recent conversation with Worship Leader Magazine Editor Joshua Swanson, Rend Collective's Chris Llewellyn opened up about his son, new music, and the beauty of God's use of struggle to call us back to Him.

Llewellyn and Swanson began by discussing Rend Collective's history, which dates back to 2003. Llewellyn explained that the band began as a Bible study group and that their early music was simply a way to document their journey together.

"We must have pressed like a hundred EPs," Llewellyn said. "But it's nothing, nothing more than that. Uh, but Chris Tomlin and Martin Smith had two of them, and so, uh, those are kind of two pretty big names there."

Swanson asked Llewellyn how it came to be that Chris Tomlin and Martin Smith had two of Rend Collective's early EPs. Llewellyn explained that a mutual friend named Les Moir had passed them out, and that Tomlin had decided to invite Rend Collective on tour after Matt Redmond pulled out at the last minute.

Llewellyn then went on to talk about his son, who was born severely autistic. He explained that his son's condition has been a challenge for the family, but that it has also brought them closer to God.

"I think there's a beauty in the struggle," Llewellyn said. "God is using it to call us back to Him. He's using it to refine us. He's using it to make us more like Jesus."

Llewellyn also talked about Rend Collective's new music, which he said is more personal and honest than ever before.

"I think we're writing songs that are more specific to our own experiences," Llewellyn said. "We're not trying to write universal songs that will connect with everybody. We're just trying to write songs that are true to us."

Swanson concluded the conversation by asking Llewellyn what he hopes people will take away from his new music.

"I hope that people will be encouraged and challenged," Llewellyn said. "I hope that they will see that God is present in the midst of their struggles. And I hope that they will be drawn closer to Him."

Llewellyn's conversation with Swanson is a powerful reminder that God is with us in our struggles. He uses them to refine us and make us more like Jesus. He gives us the gift of music to help us express our faith and encourage others.

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