Hi gang!
There are many impressive things I could tell you about Mia, but the first thing I want to say is that she’s hilarious! I met her through a mutual friend, and fell in love with her down to earth Aussie humor and perspective on life.
Mia lives in Sydney Australia and is part of Hillsong where she writes and records. She’s heavily involved with both Hillsong and United, having worked on songs with Joel Houston, Marty Sampson, Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan. She also co-writes with worship leaders in a circles much wider than just within Hillsong….like Paul Baloche, Don Moen and Lincoln Brewster. She’s one of those humble yet powerful writers… look a bit closer at the CD sleeves of your favorite worship albums and you’ll probably see her name as a co-writer on a few of them! Some of her best known songs include “All For Love”, “Always” and “Saviour King”.
Mia often says “I never want it to be more complicated than ‘God and People’. Whatever He puts in my hand, whether it be worship or anything else, my prayer is that I would not let it become about anything less.” As you can tell, she has a heart to encourage and input into other people, so I invited her to share some thoughts with us here at WIWN!
Vicky: “How did your journey as a worship leader and worship songwriter begin?”
Mia: “I think every journey with God begins internally, and mine certainly did. I remember from a pretty young age feeling like God was going to do something different with me. I grew up in a town of only 3000 people, and a church of maybe 80? I think God uses very unlikely people, I am certainly a wildcard as far as choices go. I have the total opposite personality of every creative-worship leading person I know and my story is less about having a bunch of impressive talents and more about having a small gift and a whole lot of perseverance. I moved to Sydney and started attending Hillsong Church 10 years ago and began a long process of working hard on my craft as a writer, and building confidence as a singer. Thank God that he sends the right people to speak life into you and draw out the things that you can’t. My worship pastor, Darlene Zschech was and is such a big part of pulling out the ‘singer’ in me. She often see’s the gold in people before everyone else. I think too, that being around excellence has really been the best teacher I could ask for as far as developing as a writer- that, and just taking personal responsibility for what it is that I feel like God has put in me to do. It’s a long obedience, and if I wasn’t in the thick of grace, I would have probably disqualified myself a long time ago- scratch that- I totally would have disqualified myself”.
Vicky: “Did you have female worship leader role models when you were starting out in your ministry in leading and writing?”
Mia: “Obviously I have a real admiration and respect for someone like Darls, she has put more into me than she will ever know this side of eternity. Nichole Nordeman is the other person who has taken me by the hand so many times and lead me to truth. I’ve only ever met her through songs, but she has been a significant stranger for me and I have a lot to thank her for”.
Vicky: “What advice do you have for girls and women who lead sung worship or sing on worship teams?”
Mia: “I’m not sure what the thought is on ‘re-gifting’ when it comes to advice, but probably the best advice I have been given is ‘You have to be under people who believe in you’, and ‘We teach people how to treat us’. The only thing that I’d add, is that perseverance is the great decider in most cases”.
Vicky: “What do you do to have fun?”
Mia: “Well, I am a believer that people are 90% of a good time. I am lucky to have really amazing friends all over the world who always feel like family no matter how much time has passed. My friends Ben and Marty have particularly hilarious senses of humor so if I am with them and their wives, we always have a good time. People = Fun.”
Here is a video of Mia and Marty sharing their songwriting process.
Thanks Mia! Hope you guys enjoyed reading her words of wisdom!
Love,
Vicky
Good stuff Mia!! I've been fortunate to lead many of your songs. I've led It's Your Love a bazillion times and it NEVER gets old. Blessing to you. And Vicky I'm so excited about this website!!!!!! Thanks:)
What a blessing Mia is. I have been blessed by lyrics in songs she has written and led by her to the throneroom (thru song). I love her comment about “without being in the thick of grace, I would have disqualified myself long ago.” That rang so true to me, because I am far from what the world calls “qualified” to be the Worship Director at my church, I have not studied music, I don't play any instruments….but what I do have is PASSION and an equipping of the Holy Spirit. I remember each time that I take the stage that God goes before me and that it is never ME leading the people but rather Him…it is His responsibility, I am just one who is honored to be a doorway. I am the faucet that he pours living water thru, so I take it seriously to clean my sink! I don't want to pour sewage water onto people, but living water! Thanks for your insight!
: ) Hi!!!
As letras e canções escritas e ministradas pela Mia são realmente uma inspiração, e tenho sido abençoada por elas… Não sou do ministério de louvor, mais as utilizo na minha adoração pessoal com Deus… Como é bom cantar louvores ao Senhor!!!
Que Deus continue te usando (Mia) como canal de bênçãos às nações da terra…
Graça e Paz!!!
Hi,
My name is Joey Fernandez, I am a musician, I sing and also a drummer, I want to praise God for the talents he has blessed me with, I also thank God for my wife Gillian, son Joshua and Daughter Sarah, I want to use my talents for God’s glory, i am waiting on the Lord to do his will in me. These are the two songs I have written, the first one is:
“THE TRUTH INSPIRED”
_________________________________________________
Oh, my Lord, you are my king,
Oh, my God, you are my everything,
You Gave yourself, to take away our sins,
For you are the mighty healer,
for all eternity.
CH:
We went away from you miles and miles away,
You found us and brought us back,
because we are precious to you,
and now we know that your the “TRUTH”
Let your spirit take control of us,
so that we would never drift away,
No matter what comes our way,
We stand to be your witness, Oh Lord
The Second one is:
“BY YOUR HOLY SHROUD”
Everytime we gaze at your face
We see your peace flowing thru
Its your face that shines
and melts away all our sorrows
CH:
Its BY YOUR HOLY SHROUD
That we stand and Testify
That you are the Lord
Who is the everlasting life
Its by your Stripes we are healed
In heart, mind and body,
We give you praise and Honor
from deep down within us.
Thanks
Joey Fernandez