Redman was born on 14 February 1974,[7] and raised in Watford, England. The family had moved to Chorleywood, a small commuter town, when he was around the age of two.[8] His father took his own life when Matt was seven years old,[9] and he and his brother were raised predominantly by his mother.[10] His mother later remarried into an abusive relationship that took a great toll on the family.[8] At the age of 10, he converted to Christianity after attending a mission service by Luis Palau at London's QPR football stadium and was encouraged by Mike Pilavachi, an Anglican church youth leader to lead worship in his teens.[11]
Career
Christian church leadership
Redman converted to Christianity at the age of 10 and attended the Anglican church of St Andrew's Chorleywood, in Hertfordshire. It was there he learned to play guitar, and at the age of 20, he began leading worship services and released his first album.[12] In 1993, Redman helped found alongside his pastor, Mike Pilavachi, Soul Survivor, a global Christian movement and yearly music festival aimed at youth.[10] From 1994 until 2002, Redman led worship services for Soul Survivor Church, Watford.[13]
In 2008, Redman, along with his wife Beth and their three children, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to help plant Passion City Church with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. In August 2010, they returned to the UK with their children.[16][17]
Music
Matt recorded his first album, Wake Up My Soul, at ICC studios in January and February 1994. The album had an impressive line-up of Christian musicians including Iona's Mike Haughton, percussionist Martin Neil, Split Level's Adrian Thompson, Helen Burgess and Les Moir on bass, and was produced by Martin Smith.[12]
In 2002, Redman co-wrote with his wife Beth, the 2002 Dove Award-winning "Blessed Be Your Name" (Worship Song of the Year)[18] and the Grammy Award-nominated "Our God."[19] Since then, Matt and Beth have co-created some of Redman's most successful songs including, "You Never Let Go", "Face Down" and "Let My Words Be Few".[20]
The album's success came immediately after Matt Redman and LZ7, a Manchester-based Christian rap and urban music group, released the song "Twenty Seven Million" on 27 February 2012, to raise awareness for the anti-human trafficking movement. The record, charted on the UK Singles Chart reaching No. 12. Redman toured internationally with the band, to raise awareness for the cause through worship.[25]
In 2019, Redman announced he had signed with Integrity Music, with new music coming in late 2019, and a new album in 2020.[27]
Writing
He has authored and edited multiple books on Christian worship, including The Unquenchable Worshipper and the book Facedown which accompanied the album of the same name.[28] He and his wife co-wrote the book titled "Blessed Be Your Name" with the hopes to bring others to trust God and his goodness, no matter the circumstance.[29]
Personal life
He married Beth Redman, who is also a songwriter and author. The couple has five children.[17]
On 13 July 2023, following reports of allegations of abuse committed by Mike Pilavachi, Redman released a statement in which he identified himself as one of Pilavachi's alleged victims. In his statement, Redman said, "I have spent years trying to fully heal from my time at Soul Survivor".[30] In April 2024 he released a short documentary entitled Let There Be Light in which he described his experience.[31][32]
^ abc 2008 Design/development by Visual Inventor Ltd. Co. http://www.VisualInventor.com. "Matt Redman". Mattredman.sparrowrecords.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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