This fall International Justice Mission celebrated 20 years of their work in the world with the Liberate Conference. A few months before everyone gathered, a small group of artists partners watched a boot-leg copy of Gary Haugen’s practice speech, and worked on a collaborative project to capture his imperative taken from Isaiah: “Behold, I am doing a new thing, even now I am coming. Do you see it?”
For the song, titled “Behold,” singer/Songwriter Sara Groves teamed up with Propaganda and Robbie Seay, featuring Ellie Holcomb and Audrey Assad.
About the project, Groves announced:
“I have been a fan of Robbie Seay for years (the songs, that voice! and now new podcast Life & Lyric!), and am completely blown away by Propaganda on all fronts (albums, live performances, and the Red Couch Podcast). Going in, I wondered how we would navigate coming from different musical spaces – worship leader, singer/songwriter, hip hop artist – but we were at the Art House where all kinds of fusion has occurred over the years, and over everything, there was generosity. Fast forward to the event, and there is this moment – Gary Haugen and Jeremy Courtney of Preemptive Love are on the front row, and Prop is at the front of the stage,
Let me whisper co conspirator
You a clandestine weapon
You are somethin we invest in
You refugeein rescuing
You can stand upon that ground
You could slide up on ya knees
You ain’t run away from the pain
You ran into the scream
You can go on and plant your flag
Y’all done chanted down Babylon
Are you kidding me? I’m supposed to sing a pretty note after that? It’s all still in my heart. Behold, we are accomplices in the pain, destruction, loss. Behold, we are also called co-conspirators in the redemption of all things. Do you see it?
Today we release this song to the world.
This is, Behold. A collaborative song of justice by Robbie Seay, Propaganda, and myself, and joined in performance by Audrey Assad, Ellie Holcomb. Thank you for being a part of the journey. You can listen to wherever music is sold/streamed.
Peace and grace,
Sara”
Check out the song on iTunes here.