Cory Asbury
He wrote one of the biggest worship songs in the world. Then he spent years walking away from worship entirely.
Cory Asbury is honest about why. He let frustration with the industry fester into bitterness, and as he puts it, “Bitterness has the shelf life of a Twinkie.”
In this conversation he tells the story of the moment in Switchfoot’s San Diego studio when he knew that season was over, and what it took to come back.
You’ll hear why he thinks talent gets promoted faster than character, and why years of hiddenness are the only thing that sustains success when it comes.
He walks through his process for anger: sit with it, find the root, grieve it, so it never hardens into cynicism toward the church.
And he gives the advice he admits sounds like bad advice: serve your team, make the meals, stack the chairs, take the worst seat.
Cory has led worship full time since he was 18, spent years leading in a prayer room with six people in it, and is back with a new worship record.
If this one hits a nerve, the unglamorous prep is where it starts. Worship Online helps your team learn their parts at home so rehearsal is refining, not reteaching: https://worshiponline.com/
Mentioned in the Episode
About Cory Asbury
Cory Asbury is a GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning worship leader, singer and songwriter best known for his globally recognized worship anthem “Reckless Love.” Beginning his worship journey at just 14 years old, Cory went on to serve at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City before joining Bethel Music in 2015. His 2018 album Reckless Love topped the Billboard Christian Albums chart, while its title track spent 18 weeks at No. 1 and earned Triple Platinum certification. With songs like “The Father’s House,” “Egypt” and “Sparrows,” Cory has become one of the most recognizable voices in modern worship music.
After stepping away from worship ministry for several years, Cory has entered a new season marked by renewed passion, spiritual healing and a return to the simplicity of worshiping Jesus. His 2026 album Outsing the Angels reflects that journey, inviting the Church into wholehearted, God-centered worship. Known for his honesty, vulnerability and willingness to wrestle openly with faith, Cory continues to encourage worship leaders to prioritize intimacy with God, purity of heart and faithfulness over platform and recognition. He lives in Tennessee with his wife, Anna, and their four children.
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The Worship Online Podcast is produced by Worship Online in Nashville, TN.
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