Multi-faceted singer/songwriter, worship leader and SEU Worship alum Jenn Chenoweth delivers her highly anticipated debut EP, Out To Get Me, August 29. A glimpse into God’s loving pursuit of her heart, the autobiographical set features seven tracks all co-penned by Chenoweth and produced by Seth Ready (Seth & Nirva).
Drawing inspiration from Galatians 5 and Psalm 23–passages foundational to Chenoweth’s journey–Out To Get Me is hallmarked by a range of synth-pop anthems, reflective ballads and intimate moments of worship. Highlights of the project include “Light As A Feather (Good Shepherd),” a heartfelt expression of thankfulness; the earnest “I’m Learning,” a song of surrender co-written with JJ Hasulube and Nirva Ready; and “Closest Friend” (feat. Clarence Monestime), a tender worship ballad celebrating the King of Kings as a faithful, loving and personal companion.
The EP’s overarching theme is aptly captured in standout track “Truth Comes Running.” Penned by Chenoweth, Hannah Cheshire and Nirva Ready, the percolating pop anthem serves as a reminder that God’s kindness leads to repentance: “Help me believe that You don’t keep a record of my wrongs/Help me to see that Your love has been for me all along.”
“The heart behind the title is this: God is out to get you, but not like you may think,” Chenoweth explains. “I used to think He was out to get me like a taskmaster, waiting for me to mess up and fail. But the truth is, God was out to get me, to find me, bring me in, and set me free! I want to connect with those who have been led astray by ideas about the Lord that aren’t true. God is our Father, our Shepherd, and our Friend. Yes, He will lovingly correct us, but He does not condemn us.”
The daughter of a pastor, Chenoweth was raised with a firm foundation of faith, but she grappled with anxiety and low self-esteem for many years and struggled to view God as a loving father. Furthermore, a major accident in 2019 caused Chenoweth’s jaw to lock open, leaving her in constant chronic pain from TMJ disorder. “This season really broke my spirit and led to severe depression,” she recalls. “Some days I didn’t want to get out of bed, and I thought my life was over. Singing and leading worship were things I’d always loved to do, and for two years I wasn’t sure I would ever sing again.”
Through the healing process God revealed even greater depths of His love for her, rekindling Chenoweth’s passion to proclaim His goodness to the world. “As I recovered and doors began to open to lead worship and minister to people again, I realized very quickly that this was what God had called me to do, and my health setback was a set-up for what He had in store next,” she adds. “I can’t imagine being where I am now without that hard experience; it helped me realize how fragile and special life is. I want to help people through my own experiences, so I’m hoping every song on this EP will encourage, bless and point others to Jesus.”
