Blue Tree Interview from Christianity Today

What's the worship scene like in Ireland? Is there one?

Aaron Boyd: Totally different from the UK or the States. There are only 1.2 million people in Northern Ireland, so large-scale events are very difficult to put on. There are lots of smaller events, averaging between 50-200 people. But in terms of the Christian industry surrounding worship music, it's nonexistent.

What's the story behind your song, "God of This City"?

Boyd: Whilst on a short-term missions trip to Thailand, we played at the Climax Bar, which doubles as a brothel in the red-light district. I didn't know what to expect; you have a mixture of every emotion at once. When you see old men walking down the street with young girls, you want to go vigilante. But then you see the look in the girls' eyes and your heart breaks. Everything all rolled into one. [Hear the whole story here.]

How did worshipping there shape your approach to ministry?

Boyd: I used to think worship was about leading people, but now I see that it's more about declaring God's goodness and speaking the truth of who and what he really is, even in the darkest places on earth. It has also sparked a passion within us to be part of the answers to these awful situations we saw. Mercy and justice meet on the cross.

How did Chris Tomlin come to record "God of This City"?

Boyd: Chris was in sunny Belfast [for a concert] and we were the band that played as people were coming in. His guitarist Daniel heard the song and told Chris about it. We then had a quick conversation about it and really that was it. Before I knew it, Chris and Louie [Giglio, Passion founder] said how much it spoke into the Passion world tour, and that they wanted to make it the title track of the next Passion album. Sweet mercy, I nearly passed out!

Besides the title song, what track is the closest to your heart and why?

Boyd: "Each Day." I wrote it when I found out that my first daughter was born with cystic fibrosis. It's a song that challenges me to worship even when circumstances look bleak and you don't feel like you can worship. God is there with you through it all.