Darlene Zschech is an Australian singer, songwriter, and pastor born in 1965 in Brisbane. Worship pastor at Hillsong Church from 1996 to 2007, she wrote the globally sung song Shout to the Lord. Today she co-leads Hope Unlimited Church with her husband Mark.
Darlene Zschech, born Steinhardt on September 8, 1965 in Brisbane, Australia, first appears on camera at age ten on the children's show Happy Go Round. As a teenager, she sings in local gospel groups before becoming a session singer in Sydney, lending her voice to advertising jingles. This varied musical training prepares her for a career devoted entirely to Christian worship.
In 1996, she becomes worship pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney, a role she holds until 2007. There she produces more than twenty albums and writes over a hundred songs, including Shout to the Lord, composed in 1993 and since sung every week by tens of millions of believers around the world. After her time at Hillsong, she continues a solo career while also becoming, alongside her husband Mark, pastor of Hope Unlimited Church, a church established in Australia, the United States, and India.
- Origin
- Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Style
- Contemporary worship, congregational singing
- Active since
- 1993 (writing of Shout to the Lord), worship pastor at Hillsong from 1996
- Good to know
- Author of Shout to the Lord, translated into many languages and sung every week by tens of millions of believers; pastor of Hope Unlimited Church with her husband Mark.
How did Darlene Zschech get started?
Darlene Zschech grows up in front of Australian cameras, hosting segments of a children's show from age ten. This early exposure to the stage fuels a musical path that leads her, as a teenager, to sing in gospel groups in Brisbane, then as a session backing singer in Sydney.
In 1996, she joins Hillsong Church as worship pastor, a role she will hold for eleven years. It is during this period that she writes Shout to the Lord, composed in 1993 and since become one of the most sung worship songs in the world, along with dozens of other titles released under the Hillsong Music label.
What makes Darlene Zschech distinctive?
Described as a pioneer of the modern worship movement, Darlene Zschech has left a lasting mark on evangelical congregational singing with Shout to the Lord, translated into many languages and part of the repertoire of thousands of churches around the world. Her journey goes beyond songwriting alone, though: she has written six internationally translated books on worship and leadership, and today devotes much of her ministry to training other worship leaders.
Where should you start to discover Darlene Zschech?
Shout to the Lord remains the natural starting point for discovering her work. Victor's Crown, co-written with Israel Houghton and Kari Jobe and released on the live album Revealing Jesus in 2013, along with You Will Make A Way, then let you trace the evolution of her writing from her years at Hillsong through her solo career.
songs
Shout To The Lord (All The Earth)
A new recording of her most famous song, composed in 1993, with Ana Paula Valadão and Ingrid Rosario.
Victor's Crown
Co-written with Israel Houghton and Kari Jobe, taken from the live album Revealing Jesus, with the Nashville choir.
You Will Make A Way
A song performed with Dustin Smith, released as a music video on her official channel.
Discography
- 2013Revealing Jesus
- 2005Change Your World
- 2003Kiss of Heaven
- 1996Shout to the Lord· Hillsong Music album featuring the song of the same name
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Darlene Zschech?
Darlene Zschech is an Australian singer, songwriter, and pastor born in 1965 in Brisbane. Worship pastor at Hillsong Church for eleven years, she wrote Shout to the Lord and today co-leads Hope Unlimited Church.
What is Darlene Zschech's best-known song?
Shout to the Lord, composed in 1993, is her most famous song. Translated into many languages, it is still sung every week by tens of millions of believers around the world.
Is Darlene Zschech a Christian?
Yes, her entire career has been devoted to Christian worship. She was worship pastor at Hillsong Church and is today, together with her husband Mark, pastor of Hope Unlimited Church.
Where can you listen to Darlene Zschech in French?
Shout to the Lord has been translated into several languages and sung by many French-speaking congregations, often in local adaptations. Her original albums remain sung in English.
Since when has Darlene Zschech been making music?
She has been singing since childhood in Australia and became worship pastor at Hillsong Church in 1996, a role she held until 2007, before continuing a solo career.
Does Darlene Zschech lead a church today?
Yes, she is senior pastor of Hope Unlimited Church alongside her husband Mark, a church established on the Central Coast in Australia as well as in the United States and India.