Australian Darlene Zschech is acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter, worship leader and speaker, most notably for spearheading the music that comes from Hillsong Church. Although she has achieved numerous gold albums and her songs are sung in many nations of the world, her success is not the result of pursuing stardom and fame—it stands as a testimony to her life's passion to serve God and people with all her heart.
As a songwriter, Darlene is perhaps most famous for the chorus "Shout to the Lord," a song that is sung by an estimated 25 to 30 million churchgoers every week and has been covered by at least twenty other artists. This song is the title track for the first live album coproduced with Integrity Music, featuring Darlene as a prominent female worship leader. Shout to the Lord was nominated as Album of the Year for the 1997 Dove Awards and was nominated as Song of the Year for the 1998 Dove Awards. In 2000 Darlene received a Dove Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year.
In addition to "Shout to the Lord," Darlene has written over seventy songs that have been published by Hillsong Music Australia alone. She has also written three books on her passion, which include Extravagant Worship and her latest release, The Kiss of Heaven, with a worship leadership series becoming available soon.
In 2005 Darlene released a new solo album, Change Your World, which features a new arrangement of Michael W. Smith's worship song "Agnus Dei," as well as a soon-to-be-classic hymn, "Call Upon His Name." A new project, continuing to feature the theme of worship and justice, is in production now.
Darlene has a great heart for helping hurting people, and she has recognized that her public platform gives her the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of others. She is an ambassador for the work of Compassion International and is committed wholeheartedly to relieving human suffering in any possible way.
It was a missions trip to Central Africa in 2004 that prompted Darlene and her husband, Mark, to initiate Hope Rwanda, a global endeavor designed to bring hope to a nation seemingly forgotten since the horrific genocide of 1994. The 100 Days of Hope (April 6 – July 15, 2006) project was strategically coordinated to cover the same 100 days that saw approximately 1 million people viciously slaughtered. For more information, visit Hope Rwanda. Hope Rwanda continues to bring hope and healing to Rwanda…a new hope has spread into Cambodia…and the Hope team is gearing up for many future endeavors.
Darlene and Mark reside in Sydney with their three daughters, Amy, Chloe, and Zoe. While she travels extensively and has had the honor of ministering at many prestigious events around the world, Darlene’s highest prize is her role as wife and mother. She loves being at home and being part of the worship team in her local church. As she says, "First and foremost I am a worshipper, and I pray that my life is given to serve the lives of others.”
www2.hillsong.com