Christian radio, and most Christian music groups, were slow to catch on to the wave. However, 2000 and 2001 saw an increase in the number of groups and singers putting out their own praise albums. But these were groups and singers who were already established on the scene. Surely it was only a matter of time before a praise and worship group burst onto the scene.
Then it happened. A praise and worship band called MercyMe, after six independent albums, signed with a major studio and released "Almost There." This was in August of 2001. Their first single, "I Can Only Imagine" slowly started making it up the Christian radio charts.
Then came 9/11 and the face of the world changed forever.
Millions of people, both Christian and non-Christian, turned back to God for strength and comfort. With this renewed interest on our Lord and Savior, "I Can Only Imagine" began tearing up the charts. The song almost single-handily took the album Gold.
"I Can Only Imagine" aside, MercyMe is a terrific praise and worship album, with new songs that breathes some freshness into all the stale redos that many artists have begun doing with some of the older songs. These songs are from the heart of not only the group members, but of God as well. If you will let it, God can and will minister to you through these songs.