The Beautiful Gate is the stage name of solo artist and missionary Dan Ucherek. Since 2012, he's been releasing music in the vein of CCM acts, such as Casting Crowns or Big Daddy Weave. His latest single, "Come, Lord Jesus (I Want to See)," feels like those pop/rock acts, but also like a cut from a Kutless worship album. Some of that feeling may be from Kutless' cover of "All Who are Thirsty," the chorus melody of which Ucherek seems to mirror in his own song. The rest of the song sounds more original, although the tone is perfectly at home with current Christian radio trends: up/down moments in volume, mid-tempo, etc.

In fact, a similar comment could be made about the lyrical content. The chorus feels a little cliche ("Come, Lord Jesus, come/Come have Your way...in us") while the rest of the lyrics are more original. The verses and bridge are best expressed in the song's subtitle "I Want to See." What does Ucherek want to see? The range goes from personal ("peace in my life") to socially conscious ("sick and lame made right") to spiritual transformation ("redemption in my time"). It's an honest sentiment that more than makes up for the chorus.

Overall, The Beautiful Gate's latest single does a good job of skirting the line of being radio friendly while conveying a message not often heard in worship tracks. CCM fans will certainly find "Come, Lord Jesus (I Want to See)" to be a pleasurable and relatable listening experience. Whatever Ucherek is planning for music releases in the coming months, this song makes him worth putting on your radar.

- Review date: 4/3/25, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: None
Album length: 1 track: 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Street Date: April 4, 2025
Buy It: Apple Music

1. Come, Lord Jesus (I Want to See) (4:35)