JFH News: John Chisum Reimagines Iconic Anthem "Firm Foundation"

WORSHIP TRAILBLAZER JOHN CHISUM REIMAGINES ICONIC ANTHEM ‘FIRM FOUNDATION’

NEWS SOURCE: Turning Point
February 21, 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Celebrating three decades since the release of his globally-renowned anthem “Firm Foundation,” industry veteran, songwriter and worship leader John Chisum breathes fresh life into the classic praise & worship track with an inspired new rendition, out today from NRT Music.

Penned by Nancy Gordon and Jamie Harvill, the reimagined “Firm Foundation” was arranged and produced by Chisum along with acclaimed composer and guitarist Andrew Timothy. The 30th anniversary single showcases a new bridge by Chisum and Timothy, which further amplifies the song’s timeless message of God’s faithfulness from generation to generation.

Chisum’s original recording was the title-cut of Integrity's 1994 Hosanna! Music compilation. A groundbreaking series which introduced hundreds of new songs to the Church, Hosanna! Music helped inaugurate a worldwide worship movement in the 1990s. Firm Foundation shipped more than 100,000 units upon its release, while the song continues to prove its staying power in the digital age with nearly 2 million streams to date.

“The album was first imagined with the theme of healing and restoration, and through the song I wanted to celebrate my own recovery from childhood trauma and the Hope I'd found in Christ,” says Chisum, who helped bring the Firm Foundation project to fruition during his tenure as an Integrity Music executive. “Because it so beautifully captured this healing message, I knew ‘Firm Foundation’ needed to be on the recording. I could never have dreamed it would become such a breakthrough song for me and so many others."

“An outright declaration of what and who Jesus is in our lives—our strength and the foundation of faith and all that is good—we wanted to modernize the anthem by adding a vocal introduction and a bridge that is as singable and declarative as the song itself,” Chisum explains. “The Truth sung is a powerful force and ‘Firm Foundation’ inspires our faith in the face of fear, turmoil and chaos in the world and in our own lives. I believe the song will continue to bring hope, comfort and strength to anyone who sings it, as it has already done for more than 30 years.”

ABOUT JOHN CHISUM
A respected songwriter, worship leader and recording artist, as well as a multi-faceted music industry veteran, John Chisum previously served as director of song development and copyright at Integrity Music. Many of his songs were showcased on the company’s iconic Hosanna! Music releases, and he was a featured worship leader and songwriter for two projects in the series—Firm Foundation (1994) and Come Expecting Jesus (2001). Chisum also held the title of vice president of publishing at Star Song Communications, among other key industry roles through the years. A sought-after songwriter with hundreds of compositions to his credit, Chisum’s music has been recorded by such legendary artists as The Gaither Vocal Band, Ron Kenoly, Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, and The Cathedrals.

Passionate about teaching and mentoring songwriters, Chisum founded Nashville Christian Songwriters (NCS) in 2015. He has guided the organization’s impressive growth via an ever-evolving range of resources, including the NCS Collective, which offers record label and publishing services, and the NCS Community, a subscription-based program featuring workshops, instructional downloads, and guest presentations from veteran artists and industry professionals, among a wealth of other tools. In addition, NCS’ popular “Song Revolution” podcast, co-hosted and produced by Chisum, boasts nearly 200 episodes to date and has spotlighted conversations with some of the industry’s top singers and songwriters. Comprised of a world-class recording studio, podcast suite and versatile event space, NCS is located in the heart of Nashville’s Berry Hill creative district.

For further information on John Chisum, visit:
johnchisum.com, nashvillechristiansongwriters.com or turningpointpr.com.
Follow Chisum on Instagram and Facebook.