On March 25th, 2025 Hope Darst joined the CFR Morning Show with Derek & Bridget to share new song “Mighty Name of Jesus”. Hope also reflected on her journey as a worship leader, describing how her approach to ministry evolved over time. Initially, in their early 20s, their focus was on performance and seeking validation from others. However, in their 30s, they experienced a profound transformation, where God helped them wrestle with their identity, shifting their focus from performance to ministry. They began to view their role as a minister of the gospel through music, aiming to leave listeners with the hope of Jesus rather than impressing them with their performance.
Hope emphasizes that worship is a right response to God and highlights how worship can realign one’s thoughts and focus, shifting attention back to God. Hope’s songs, like “Peace Be Still” and “If the Lord Builds the House,” are anthemic and serve as powerful tools in both personal and corporate worship. These songs are designed to help people contend in the spirit and change the atmosphere in their lives, with worship becoming a way to battle through circumstances and declare God’s truth. Hope’s music is rooted in the word of God and aims to be a source of strength and transformation for listeners.
She shared the story behind her new song, which was inspired by a difficult journey with their daughter, Olivia. Two years ago, Olivia had knee surgery that led to complications and chronic pain. As a mother, Hope describes the struggle of watching their daughter live with pain and their ongoing prayers for healing, whether through a supernatural miracle or medical intervention.
During a songwriting session, she was encouraged to write songs that are prayers and declarations rooted in God’s word. They wanted to create a song for those walking through tough, fear-inducing, and seemingly impossible situations, especially when words run out in prayer. The song is meant to be a prayer that reminds believers of the promises of God, such as healing, protection, and His constant presence. Hope emphasizes that while their own words hold no power, declaring God’s promises in Jesus’ name brings authority and power to those prayers. The song is designed to build faith and encourage believers when they feel exhausted or overwhelmed in their spiritual journey.
The song has unexpectedly gained significant attention in South Africa, where people dealing with different cultural and spiritual challenges have found comfort and strength in the words. Hope highlights the power of God’s word to reach people globally, even in places where spiritual warfare and ancestral worship are prevalent. They share a story about how the song became the most streamed track on a popular South African social media page, surpassing even secular artists, showing the hunger for truth in people’s hearts.
Hope shares her journey of learning to listen to the Holy Spirit and practicing obedience to God’s voice, regardless of external success or recognition. She reflected on a pivotal moment at age 25 when God asked her to stop pursuing music, a decision that was difficult but crucial in developing a lifestyle of obedience. She emphasizes that obedience isn’t just about big decisions like recording songs or releasing albums, but also in everyday moments, like cooking dinner or making a phone call, where the Holy Spirit guides them.
Hope stresses that hearing God’s voice requires a response, and knowing God’s word is essential to understanding His voice. She explains that the more familiar we are with Scripture, the more we can discern God’s voice, as it aligns with His nature and character. For them, the practice of knowing God’s word and responding in obedience has been pivotal in their walk with God, even when it seems difficult or foolish to others.
