Phil Wickham’s new documentary Brandon Lake brings worship to theaters

By Leah MarieAnn KlettAssistant Editor Thursday October 17, 2024

Worship leaders Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham are offering their fans a new way to experience the transformative power of worship with the documentary “For the One,” set to hit theaters nationwide this fall.

Capturing moments from their Summer Worship Nights Tour, the Fathom Events film follows the lives, struggles and spiritual awakenings that shaped two of Christian music’s most celebrated artists.

The documentary, directed by Noah Taher and produced by Ken Carpenter (“The Shift”), seeks to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what fuels the heart and mission of Lake, worship pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina . and Wickham, a Grammy-nominated artist.

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Lake, who recently took home three awards, including songwriter of the year, at this year’s Dove Awards, said his hope for the project is not just to show what it takes to go on tour, but also to highlight why their music – and their ministry – means so much to them.

“My hope for this project is that it not only shows what it takes to go on tour, but also why the music and touring mean so much to us. Countless lives have been changed, especially ours. While we have had the opportunity to impact many, our focus remains on the One,” he said.

Wickham added that the opportunity to share his story in a cinematic format was an unexpected blessing.

“Never in my life did I think I would be part of telling a piece of my story in cinema. I hope the stories you encounter in this film show everyone how much they are loved by the ONE. I can’t wait to share this with the world, and I hope people are encouraged by it,” he said.

Watch an exclusive clip of ‘For the One’ below

In a world increasingly skeptical of polished messages, Lake previously told The Christian Post that worship music has the power to communicate the Gospel in a way that deeply resonates with today’s young people.

“I think my generation and younger are less and less convinced by preachers and communicators who communicate so fluently,” he told CP. “God’s Word is authentic. It is relevant, it is the complete truth, but I think it is important how you convey it so that you can gain people’s trust, that it is credible, that you come across as authentic.”

The two worship leaders told CP that they try to present a gospel that is both simple and profound.

“That was one of the best things about this tour; we invited people to have a relationship with Jesus,” Lake reflected. “You’re hearing me and Phil, who didn’t necessarily go to communications school. … This is just coming from a guy who is in love with Jesus and just wants you to have a relationship with Jesus because we know that’s what you were made for. It probably comes across as super broken and imperfect when you compare it to a professional communicator. But I think what I’ve seen is that this generation is responding to the authenticity in the realness and the rawness.

The duo told CP that during the tour thousands came forward to begin a relationship with Jesus, and that the tour’s impact even extended to unexpected places.

Recalling a moment from the tour, Wickham talked about how he and Lake reminded themselves every night of the significance of what they were about to do. “Thank you, God, for letting us do this,” they said before taking the stage. “We run on stage and just have a celebration of praise and then tell people about Jesus. It was just beautiful.”

The documentary captures not only these moments, but also the quieter, more reflective times, underscoring the sense of mission that has anchored Lake and Wickham’s careers.

“It gives you all the more fire going into the next night, especially when you’re tired,” Lake said, emphasizing the ripple effect of each encounter with Jesus.

Despite their success, Wickham, who took home four Dove Awards this year, including Worship Album of the Year, and Lake remain committed to the simple goal that first brought them into ministry. Whether it’s in an arena or a small church community, the duo said they strive to bring people into the presence of God.

“We just want to see people encounter the presence of God, lift up the name of Jesus, see lives changed, see our lives changed. Those simple goals are still paramount, he said.

Reflecting on the world’s need for hope, Wickham added: “We were meant to thrive in the presence of God, as lungs need oxygen. Our spirit needs the presence of God. … The world just needs to hear that North Star truth, and it’s such a beautiful thing.”

“For the One” is in theaters from October 27 to 29.