Mattie Montgomery| “Go And Make Disciples”
Written By: Jameson Ketchum

Reveling in the monumental, yet perhaps quiet, success of his first spoken word album released last year, one of the most respected front men in hardcore today, Mattie Montgomery has another offering of a similar variety. Montgomery took a break from his usual duties as the charismatic and insanely passionate voice of For Today to record his second album in which his driven tenor is put even more in the forefront as he shares lessons and applications from the Word. This is truly a unique and important project, bearing fruit in ways that perhaps screaming and breakdowns cannot.

This is your second spoken word album. How did you feel the first was received and what happened in those sessions that made you know that a second one would be coming?

Mattie Montgomery: Well, I think the first album was sort of an experiment for me.  A project I worked on to see if I could really pull this sort of thing off, while effectively keeping it accessible and relevant to people.  And, the feedback I’ve gotten is incredible.  I’ve heard from people all over the world who have gotten copies, and had their lives changed by the power of God.  I heard one story about a young man that gave the CD to his girlfriend, who then showed it to her family, and her entire family of nine received Christ.  I’ve heard of pastors getting the album, and seeing their entire church lit on fire again by the power and presence of God.  It’s been such a humbling experience for me to see that this little album I recorded in Mobile, Alabama could find its way into the lives of countless people all over the planet, and release the reality and nearness of heaven in such a way that lives are really changed.  I don’t think I ever could have anticipated that sort of response, and in light of it all, I simply couldn’t live with myself if I stopped advancing such a fruitful ministry.  So, for about eight months now, I’ve been working on the follow-up.

What does this second album represent?

MM: I feel like the first album was a collection of general prophetic visions over our entire generation.  It was a platform for me to paint the picture that I’m seeing of revival, revolution, a generation-wide release of the glory of God, and real power being entrusted to the Church, and bring others into this place of faith with me.  But this second album is much more focused.  While I didn’t intend for this, I think God moved me to point this album much more accurately toward equipping leaders.  I think there are many “followers” of my ministry.  But, it’s a whole other thing for those people to, in turn, become leaders in their own realm of influence.  And, this album is very much intended to help equip people to effectively do just that.

This has to take up a considerable amount of time. What does the rest of For Today think about your various projects? Will any of them be joining you in future endeavors? Or plotting their own?

MM: These projects tend to kind of take the background to For Today.  I mean, I can book studio time to record a speaking album around the band’s touring schedule, and work on all the other aspects of it while riding in the van on tour.  So, it hasn’t gotten to a point at which the two are necessarily conflicting.  But, the guys are so supportive of it.  They’re always the first ones to have copies of the album, and to give me feedback on it.   Also, we’ve been doing a daily Bible study for the last three and a half years; so, everything I touch on in the album is something they’ve heard me talk about many times before.  They always kind of turn into my personal sounding board-the place at which I can voice my thoughts and ideas, and see if they actually make sense to anyone else.

In regards to them being involved in any of my projects, I think that’s a very real possibility!  I’m starting a Podcast series from my website that will be called, “The Broken Life.”  And, Mike (our guitarist), and I have been planning to do a couple broadcasts together, in which we talk through some real issues, like purity in relationships, ministry, porn, etc.  I’m really excited about that and I think it’s going to challenge and encourage a lot of people.   Also, our bassist, Brandon has just joined a worship band in Ohio and has started writing some INCREDIBLE songs for the band (including lyrics). I’m not entirely sure if/when they’re going to record, but people should definitely be on the look out for that, because, from what I’ve heard, this is some really amazing material and is definitely going to bless and exalt the Lord.

It seems like more and more musicians in the heavier Christian genres are branching out into unique projects such as this. What makes you want to go beyond the screaming and stomping to create something such as these records?

MM: There is only so much I can do at a For Today show in regards to ministry.  God has been very clear with me that my role with For Today is that of an evangelist.  And, while I love that, we have been called to make DISCIPLES of all nations–not merely believers.  So, I put these albums out as an effort to offer some of the people who follow our ministry in For Today an opportunity to go deeper than we are able to take them at a For Today show–to study scripture and learn to apply it practically to their lives, to understand prophecy and spiritual authority. And be willing to implement these concepts in the way they live; effectively becoming Kingdom people, instead of merely “Christians.” “In that moment, God whispered to me, “Now you know how I feel.”   It’s so incredible that I am able to share in the “father heart” of God, and to learn the way that the Father feels toward us.”

Tell us about some of the new elements you incorporated into this album. What sets it apart stylistically from When the Sons Become Fathers?

MM: Well, I think the biggest difference is that, this time it’s not just a CD.  I’ve also written a book to go along with the album.   The book is also entitled The Keys to Open Ancient Gates, and each chapter corresponds with a track on the album.  It takes the reader in extreme depth into the thoughts, scripture, prophecy and the real-life examples of the concepts of the album–things that there simply aren’t time to share on each track.  It’s an opportunity for people to learn EVERYTHING I know about each subject, to explore scripture, and to explore their own heart regarding some of the deeper, more serious issues I address on the album.   I think this is what I’m the most excited about.  I see many people being stretched a great deal in their faith walk by reading this book, and I anticipate that, while it may be difficult, those who are willing to really dig to grasp these concepts, will be thoroughly equipped to change the world with the power of God.

We know that your wife Candice is expecting and is a key piece to your ministry. She can be found on these tracks once again delivering a sweet and determined voice. What are you doing spiritually to prepare for fatherhood and what does having your first child mean for your ministry?

MM: Honestly, I think that, to this point, I’ve just been stunned at the reality that I am going to be a father.  At the first ultrasound, I sat in the ro om just weeping over the fact that I had created something so beautiful and perfect, and that I am more than willing to commit my entire life to protecting and providing for this child.  In that moment, God whispered to me, “Now you know how I feel.”   It’s so incredible that I am able to share in the “father heart” of God, and to learn the way that the Father feels toward us.

Psalm 127:3-5 says:

Sons are a heritag e from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one’s youth.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

In my ministry, I am limited by the fact that I am only one person.  There are places I cannot be, movements I cannot be involved in and things I simply cannot do.  But, to have a child–an “arrow”–in my hand is to be able to send forth a weapon into a place that I cannot be, and to be deadly and effective in the spiritual realm.  I intend to raise this child (as with all my spiritual sons, as well–young men that I mentor and teach, in hopes that I will imprint them with the DNA of the anointing God has given me, and send them out to be effective in areas I cannot be) to be an extension and an advancement of my ministry–so that my son or daughter will be even more effective and bold in the power of God than I am, and that they will start where I finish.  Thusly continuing the prophetic heritage of Christ that dictates that, “There will be no end to the increase of His government and His peace.” (Isaiah 9:7)

When will fans be able to pick up the new record and where can they grab it? Any tour dates set for sharing some of this project in person?

MM: The album will be coming out June 14th.   But pre-orders are available now on my website, www.MattieMontgomery.com, and the album will always be available for purchase at my website, if nowhere else. (Also, a short-run reprinted version of my first album, When The Sons Become Fathers, is now available at www.MattieMontgomery.com as well.) I also plan to have them available at the summer festivals that For Today is playing (Ichthus, Cornerstone, Sonshine, and Purple Door).  They will also be sold in the Forerunner Bookstore at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO, and the Ramp Bookstore at my home church, The Ramp in Hamilton, AL.