For Daniel Barkley, music isn’t just something you sing at Sunday morning worship; it’s his lifelong passion and how he shares the greatest story ever told. He loves how music is a gift we can use to remember important things in life, from our ABC’s to the Gospel. Daniel says, “It’s the craziest thing—the God who created the cosmos and holds everything together turns His ears to us and delights in our singing. When we sing together we show the world around us that we believe the Gospel.”
Daniel came to Salem in 2014 to lead the contemporary worship service on Saturday nights. He now leads worship on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights and for The Collective young adult ministry. He reflects, “When I first came to Salem, I thought my way was the best. I got a guitar, a cool haircut, and all I wanted to do was sing loud and engaging contemporary songs.” Daniel quickly realized that there is no good or bad when it comes to music that is true to God’s word. He has gained an appreciation for all types of music including traditional hymns and instrumental. Daniel says, “No two voices sound the same so if God has made us with all these intricate different details then that has to be put on display. By singing different types of music, we reflect what we know the Kingdom of God is—multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-faceted. It’s beautiful when we celebrate that and don’t let that divide us.”
“When we sing together we show the world around us that we believe the Gospel.”
Daniel recently wrote a song called, “You Have Promised Good.” This song demonstrates God’s faithfulness and His flawless track record from the garden in Genesis to Jesus’s resurrection. “The promises God made to the Old Testament hall-of-fame people and the promises Jesus made to His disciples have all been applied to me. Jesus has promised He will always be with me even to the ends of the earth.”
While it’s easy to get hung up on earthy goals such as how much money a song makes, what famous person covers it, or how many people sing it, Daniel is keeping his focus on eternal rewards. “If I do nothing more in my life than leave the people I love with a song that reminds them of my hope in Jesus, then that’s what I’m here for.” May it be so for how each of us use our own gifts for God’s glory.
This story first appeared in Salem’s June 2019 Update. Tap here to get the June Update!