Michael W. Smith Says a Long-Prayed-For Spiritual Awakening May Be Near
Grammy-winning musician and songwriter Michael W. Smith says he believes a long-awaited spiritual awakening -- something Christians have prayed for over decades -- may finally be on the horizon. Smith was a pioneer in the contemporary Christian music scene in the 1980s, helping shape the genre with chart-topping albums and worship anthems that have inspired generations. At the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards in Nashville, Tenn., last month, he teamed up with For King & Country for a memorable rendition of his 1990 hit, Place in This World. A collaboration of that song was part of the Unsung Hero soundtrack, released last year.
"I think there's a stirring going on, and you can certainly feel it in America and college campuses," Smith told media members during a news conference at the awards show. "But what I'm seeing all around the world, in Europe and the church waking up, and miracles taking place in Africa -- in the midst of all the heartache and the beheadings and all the dark side -- there's something stirring.
"And this is something we've prayed for years and years and years, and I actually believe that I'm actually going to see it in my lifetime. And that's the most exciting part of what I feel like God's doing in the world. So here we go."
It's been a busy few weeks for Smith. In late May, he led musical worship in Berlin at the European Congress on Evangelism sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He also released a new song, Arms Around the Sun, that will be part of an upcoming project.
Smith said he feels led to mentor and champion younger artists.
"I think that's part of my calling, probably for the future -- I mean, even to the point where, if I never made another record, I think I would mentor for the rest of my life," he said. "Why would I not? To much is given, much is required. And now that I've been doing it for so long, and now all these young artists are going, 'Okay, how'd you survive success? How do you keep a family together?' And I've got a few bits of wisdom on that."
It's essential, he said, for young artists to surround themselves with the right people.
"I have a prayer group that's been together for 36 years, and they hold me accountable," Smith said. "And I'm married to this amazing woman of God for 43 and a half years. And then, as you get older, you go, 'Oh, man, you can't afford to blow it -- man, there is too much at stake.' And so you just stay the course. You stay the course."
Photo Credit: ©Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published June 04, 2025.
