About Song Project

Song Project is a collaboration of Christian singer/songwriters to write individual, hope-filled songs for the fatherless in their churches and cities. It began in Kansas City, MO, where 46 songwriters wrote songs for the 42 fatherless children living at a local children’s home, and four foster children in a local congregation. Worship teams of congregations in other parts of the nation are committing to do this as well in their cities. Song Project is songwriters turning their hearts to the children in accordance with Malachi 4:6.

Many of the children in foster care or children’s homes have suffered abuses, neglect and live in fear. They have built walls in their hearts out of necessity. Music has access to their hearts, behind the walls. James 1:26 says that “true religion is caring for the orphan and the widow in their distress”. Singers and songwriters are using their gifts to obey this verse. Music touches the human heart in a way nothing else can. We want these children to know they have a Father in Heaven who loves them and cares about their lives. We want them to have a voice speaking life over them. We want them to have a song.

In participating in song project, the songwriters are blessed as much as the children. So often we are using every available resource to get our songs, our messages “out there” to a greater audience, and rightfully so. But Song Project is an opportunity not to reach higher and further with our gifts, but to take a moment and look down. Jesus said that what we do to the least of these, we do it to Him (Matthew 25:40). In writing a song for a fatherless child we will get nothing of earthly value in return. No social media likes, no money, no new fans. Instead, we get to look into the face of a child and sing a song straight to the heart of God. Songwriters are seizing this opportunity to throw a feast for those who cannot repay (Luke 14:13).

How to Get Started in Your Congregation

The easiest way to participate in Song Project is by connecting with foster families in your own congregation. Many churches have families who are fostering children. Approach the foster mom and or dad, and ask permission to write a song for the children in their home.

All you need is the children’s first names. Write a song of hope for the child, with their name in it. (See Guidelines for Writing Songs for songwriting tips). Record the song with whatever means you have. One easy option is to record the song on a smart phone. Then put the song on a CD and gift it to the child (or email the foster parents an MP3).

Another option is to connect with a foster care home in your city. If you need help locating a foster care facility, feel free to contact us, and we will help you.

The possibilities are endless. Get creative! Reach out to a homeless shelter instead. Truly, the point is just to sing hope into the lives of kids who are in a troubled life situation. That may look different in each city and congregation.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to Song Project, or for any other questions, please email Anna Blanc.

Songwriting Guidelines

Because many children in foster care have been through difficulty and trauma that we cannot imagine, it is important that we keep our songs hopeful and avoid phrases that can keep them from being able to receive the message we are singing.

Here are some simple guidelines for writing your song.

Do not

  • Do not use the words “orphan” or “fatherless”
  • Do not paint the picture of how sad or alone his/her life is, even to contrast it with the hope God speaks over him/her

Do

  • Use Scripture
  • Write a hope-filled song
  • Ask the Lord about the child you’re writing your song for
  • Make it personal: sing the child’s name
  • Make it clear whose perspective the song is being sung from (example: “God says, “You are my daughter…”)