Mac Powell is an American Christian singer and songwriter, born in 1972 in Alabama. Former frontman of the Christian rock band Third Day (four Grammy Awards, 24 Dove Awards) until it disbanded in 2018, he has led a solo career since 2019 spanning country and worship, with albums like New Creation (2021) and I Love Jesus (2024).
Johnny Mac Powell was born on December 25, 1972, in Clanton, Alabama. His family later moved near Atlanta, Georgia, where he finished high school. That's where he met guitarist Mark Lee: together, in the mid 1990s, they founded Third Day, which would go on to become one of the pillars of American Christian rock for more than twenty years.
With Third Day, Mac Powell racked up hits on Christian radio, sold millions of albums, and received four Grammy Awards along with 24 Dove Awards before the band took its final bow on a farewell tour in 2018. He then launched a solo career, first in country music with Mac Powell and the Family Reunion, before returning to Christian music with the album New Creation in 2021, which reached number one on the Christian & Gospel charts.
- Origin
- Clanton, Alabama, then Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Style
- Christian rock, country, worship
- Active since
- 1996 with Third Day, 2019 as a solo artist
- Good to know
- Former frontman and singer of Third Day; artist in residence at Church of the Apostles, Atlanta
How did Mac Powell get started?
It was in high school, near Atlanta, that Mac Powell met Mark Lee and began writing songs shaped by his faith. The two founded Third Day, which quickly stood out on the American Christian rock scene and signed with a national label in the 1990s.
For nearly three decades, Third Day established itself as one of the leading bands in American Christian music, with several number one hits on the Christian & Gospel charts, four Grammy Awards, and 24 Dove Awards. The band said goodbye to the stage on a farewell tour in 2018.
What makes Mac Powell distinctive?
His deep, warm voice, shaped by Southern rock, stays recognizable whether he's singing rock, country, or stripped down worship songs. After Third Day ended, he first explored country music with Mac Powell and the Family Reunion, before returning to an openly Christian repertoire with the album New Creation in 2021, followed by I Love Jesus in 2024. Since then, he has also served as artist in residence at Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, where Pastor Michael Youssef leads.
Where should you start with Mac Powell?
The album New Creation (2021) is a good entry point, with the tracks New Creation and River of Life. The song The 99, inspired by the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, shows how Mac Powell continues to carry a simple, direct gospel message in his more recent songs.
songs
The 99
Inspired by the parable of the shepherd who leaves ninety nine sheep to go find the one that is lost (Luke 15), this song is a call to reach out to those who are far from God.
New Creation
The title track of the 2021 album of the same name, this song celebrates the new life offered in Christ; it marked Mac Powell's return to Christian music after his country projects.
River of Life
Another single from New Creation, this song draws on the biblical image of the river of living water and was also performed at a live concert at Red Rocks in 2023.
Discography
- 2024I Love Jesus
- 2023Christmas· Christmas EP
- 2023Live From Red Rocks· Live album
- 2021New Creation
- 2019Back Again· Under the name Mac Powell and the Family Reunion
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mac Powell?
Mac Powell is an American Christian singer born in 1972, known as the frontman and singer of the Christian rock band Third Day for more than twenty years, before pursuing a solo career spanning country and worship since 2019.
Is Mac Powell a Christian?
Yes. Mac Powell built his entire career, first with Third Day and then as a solo artist, on openly Christian songs. He now also serves as artist in residence at Church of the Apostles in Atlanta.
What is Mac Powell's best known solo song?
Among his best known solo tracks are New Creation and River of Life, from the album New Creation (2021), as well as The 99, inspired by the parable of the lost sheep.
Is Mac Powell still part of Third Day?
No. Third Day said goodbye to the stage on a farewell tour in 2018. Mac Powell has since pursued a solo career, first in country music and then back in Christian music.
Where can you listen to Mac Powell?
His albums and singles, including New Creation and I Love Jesus, are available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, as well as on his official YouTube channel and Third Day's channel.