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Australia has given to the world of praise and worship music a woman who is both a foremost worship leader and an immensely talented songwriter. For nearly ten years Darlene Zschech and her husband, Mark, have been leaders at Hills Christian Life Center in Sydney, Australia. Darlene is currently the worship director, and Mark is the director of the television ministry.

Darlene was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She says, "I came out of the womb singing. In fact, I can't remember a time in my life when music wasn't a critical part of the atmosphere in which I existed."

When Darlene was fifteen, her father, who had recently recommitted his life to Christ, took her to a youth group called Royal Rangers. She attended for a few weeks, making friends, tying knots, and learning about camping, teamwork, the code of life, and, most importantly, the Giver of life, Jesus Christ. One evening, young Darlene felt "the irresistible invitation to receive Jesus into my life." She recalls, "My long to be make whole overtook my limited understanding, and I got out of my seat and walked with a couple of others toward the leader, who then led us into the most beautiful prayer I have ever prayed."

Darlene is an accomplished singer with eight years of vocal training, and she has worked on commercials for numerous companies. Time and space does not allow a listing of her many accomplishments, yet Darlene was not without her dark days. It was during one of those trying times that God gave to her a song that has made its way around the world.

She insists that it was not a big occasion when she wrote "Shout to the Lord." She says, "I really didn't sit down one day an decide to write an incredible song that will touch nations." She has been surprised and humbled by the attention that the song has gotten, because she realizes that it came as a gift from God.

"Shout to the Lord" came during a very dark day in Darlene's life, in 1993, when her burdens seemed unbearable. To Darlene, there seemed to be no way out of the situation, save for the hand of God. As every Christian should do in a time of perplexity and heaviness, she turned to the Word of God, to Psalm 96 While she read that psalm, her mind was completely centered on the heavenly Father.

Darlene then sat down at an old piano that her parents had given her when she was only five. Her hands fell on the keys and she began to improvise. Soon she began singing the son that flowed from her heart and from Psalm 96, the scripture that she had just read. While praising God in the song, she realized that her depression had lifted and her faith and joy in the Lord had returned.

During the following days, her mind was continually on the song, and she began to realize that God had given her a worship song. She reluctantly mentioned her thought to Geoff Bullock, at that time the music pastor at Hills Christian Life Center, and Russell Fragar. They insisted that she play the song for them. With many apologies, and a fit of nervousness, she agreed to do so. She later confessed that her hands were so sweaty and shaky that it was difficult for her to play the piano. Fearful and shy, she asked Bullock and Fragar to turn and face the wall, looking away from her. As she finished the song, they turned around and expressed that the song was magnificent. Darlene was convinced that they were only being polite.

Some time later, Darlene's pastor heard the song and predicted that it would be sung around the world. How accurate his prediction has become! The song quickly made its way to many other nations. "We hadn't even recorded it, and I began to receive letters from people all over the world who had sung the song in their churches," Darlene recalls. It was later put on an album titled Shout to the Lord. The song quickly went to the top of the worship song charts and stayed there for more than thirty weeks. It was nominated for Song of the Year at the twenty-ninth annual Dove Awards.

In this song of worship, Jesus, our Savior and Lord, is addressed personally, after which is an acknowledgment of His position as our "comfort," "shelter," and "tower of refuge and strength." Even the "mountains" and the "seas" are invited to join the praise of His name. The final line is an all-inclusive recognition that "nothing compares" to the eternal promise that we have in Christ.

Darlene continues to be an integral part of the music ministry of Hills Christian Life Center, while writing and recording worship songs. She has many albums to her credit and has performed throughout her native Australia, as well as Great Britain and other European countries. She currently has approximately fifty songs published. Darlene and Mark have three children.