Matt Redman and LZ7’s Powerful New Single,
“Twenty Seven Million,”
To Be Released Worldwide on February 28
Song Debuted Live at Passion 2012 Gives Voice to the 27 Million Slaves Across the Globe and the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Award-winning songwriter and renowned leader Matt Redman, along with LZ7, will release his powerful new single, “ Twenty Seven Million,”on February 28. Available for purchase on iTunes ® and all major digital retailers, “Twenty Seven Million” was written by Matt and Beth Redman with Lindz and Lucy West (LZ7) to raise awareness against human trafficking and in proud support of the A21 campaign, a partner organization at Passion 2012 this year.
” Twenty Seven Million” started as a conversation between Beth Redman (You Never Let Go and Blessed Be Your Name co-writer) and Christine Caine (founder of the A21 Campaign). Beth was shocked to discover that an estimated 27 million people are trapped as modern day slaves, and of those millions it is estimated that only 1% – 2% are rescued. By way of response Beth collaborated with her husband Matt, as well as husband and wife Lindz and Lucy West (LZ7), Willie Weeks and Jorge Mhondera to write ‘Twenty Seven Million’ – a song which tells the true story of a girl trafficked from Eastern Europe into London’s sex trade.
“If public attention and opinion is focused on something, then those in positions of influence soon follow,” explains Matt Redman. “Music has always had a great way of communicating, and we really hope this song will shine a light on this outrageous issue. How can it be that right now there are 27 million slaves on the earth? It’s horrific.”
“It should be intolerable that any form of slavery still exists in the twenty-first century,” says Steve Chalke, United Nations GIFT Special Advisor on Community Action Against Human Trafficking. “Our indifference to the crime of human trafficking diminishes us all. Those who have no voice of their own wait on us to raise our voices and fight for their liberation. ‘Twenty Seven Million’ is a call to respond. Buy the single, raise the cry and stop the traffic.”
A21, which stands for Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century, is a non-profit organization established in 2007. With its primary focus in Europe, A21 works closely with police officials, hospitals and government officials to seek justice for victims of human trafficking and provides shelter, medical care, psychological assessment, educational assistance, counseling and access to legal assistance to those who have been rescued.
“Twenty Seven Million” was first promoted when Redman debuted it live at Passion 2012 in front of an audience of nearly 45,000 students at The Georgia Dome. Upon its official release, the single will also be promoted through Passion, Redman and Sparrow social networking sites, which have nearly 385,000 followers combined. Redman has also launched “The 27 Million Tour,” which began in Manchester, England, on February 14 and will end in Peterborough, England, on March 2.
“We couldn’t be more honored to lend our voices, along with 45,000 others at Passion 2012, to ‘Twenty Seven Million,’ a soundtrack for freedom for those trapped in slavery throughout the world,” state Passion co-founders Louie and Shelly Giglio. “It’s absolutely shocking and totally unacceptable that more slaves exist today than at any other time in history. ‘Twenty Seven Million’ is a massive wake up call, sounding the hope of a generation that will rise up and speak up until light crushes the darkness and liberty comes for all.“
Passion 2012 was a four-day gathering for college students and was led by renowned teachers Louie Giglio, John Piper, Francis Chan, and Beth Moore, among others, as well as worship leaders Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, and more. Throughout the four day gathering, nearly 45,000 students representing 31 countries and over 1,700 campuses learned about the horrific realities faced by the 27 million people worldwide who are enslaved as forced laborers, child laborers or trapped within the all- too prevalent sex trade.
About Matt Redman:
Matt Redman’s songwriting is synonymous with integrity and continues to impact churches around the world. Leading a generation of worshipers, his songs have been recorded by Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, David Crowder*Band, Rebecca St. James, Tree 63, Kutless and Passion among others. A key songwriter for today’s church and active worship leader for Passion conferences around the world, Redman has a history of success having garnered eight Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and recently received a GRAMMY ® nod for “Best Gospel Song” for “Our God,” featured on Passion: Awakening. Additionally, Redman has 21 songs in the CCLI Top 500, with 5 populating the Top 50. Redman’s eighth album, 10,000 Reasons, released July 12 on sixstepsrecords.
About Passion:
Centered on Passion’s core scripture, Isaiah 26:8, the unique purpose of Passion is to gather college students from campuses and churches across the nation, uniting them across ministry and denominational lines to seek the face of God together in worship and prayer. Affirming and valuing the work of local churches and campus ministries, Passion seeks to foster unity and connectivity among them, encouraging them to draw strength and encouragement from each other, resulting in a louder anthem of God’s renown.
About sixstepsrecords:
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection) David Crowder*Band (Give Us Rest), Charlie Hall (The Rising), Matt Redman (10,000 Reasons), Christy Nockels (Life Light Up), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move), and Passion (Passion: Here For You). The label partners with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Label Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations.
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