Better to Come – Gateway Youth

Based in Melbourne, Gateway Youth has evolved from a youth group to a youth band. Their young musicians span both the church and the youth space, and have been collaborating together to release their first EP.

It started on a retreat in country Victoria, where a group of youth kids and young adults began discussing the possibility of writing together to see what they could come up with.

There were a number of different people involved in the writing, while others contributed their vocal and musical talents. Gateway Youth leaders Hannah and Tom, joined us to share the journey from concept to recording an EP.
Ten people made up the team, and most of them had written before. Tom says it was really interesting being able to hear from the youth and find out what they’re going through. “We found out how they hear from God, and in the writing we were able to get that across in a way that was relevant to them.”

Ideas for songs can start with something really specific, or something general. The team doesn’t have a foolproof way to write songs, but they are learning together.

They’re single, ‘Better to Come’ is a reflection on coming out of lock-down, and believing that there’s better to come. Tom says it celebrates the idea that God is always with us, and it’s designed to be a bit of an anthem for people.

I stayed connected with God through worshipping just in my own time.

Hannah says that sometimes songs come out of a season, but ‘Better to Come’ was written from a place of faith. Even when it feels like the world is crumbling, God says that there is better to come.

After being in lock-down for so long, Hannah and Tom are looking forward to having those in-person connections again, and being able to be present in the lives of those around them.

Tom spent a lot of time in lock-down worshipping and sitting down at the piano. “I think it actually strengthened my relationship with God, because it removed any distractions,” he says. “I’m someone who loves community, but I stayed connected with God through worshipping just in my own time.”

Hannah said she liked having her own space during lock-down, and learned how to enjoy time by herself. She rediscovered what it meant to know God, without having to do anything for Him. “Out of our love we do tend to serve and do great things, but I was reminded to just be still with God.”

It’s important to just get through one day at a time. It’s overwhelming to be at the bottom of a mountain looking up. But if you’re just looking at what the next step is, it’s much more achievable.

Hannah says that the next step for Gateway is to get back to writing. “In the immediate future we need to be writing separately and bringing stuff together when we can. Then in the new year, we’ll reconvene and see what we’ve got.”

Hannah and Tom agree that where we’re at and how we’re feeling now is different for everyone. Worry and fear are prevalent, but we can choose to listen to what God is saying and what He has said in the Bible before.

“He’s the creator of the universe, and He never leaves us. And when you know that, you can handle anything.”

About the author

Vision180 Team

A bunch of guys and girls, passionate about seeing youth and young adults live different lives, because of Jesus Christ.

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