Some people, like some cars, are built for speed. Designed aerodynamically, fueled by lightening and geared toward performance, these models captivate, amaze and delight. They—the ‘rock stars’ of our day—create spectacular moments of glory.

But humanly speaking, if you’re built for your own glory, you’re going to burn out.

For worship leader/musician/songwriter Dave Fitzgerald, it’s the slow burn that fuels everything, an unwavering passion for God’s presence as experienced in authentic worship. His calling was built for going the distance. Designed not for fame or notoriety, but for the long haul, his life is spent in steady pursuit of Kingdom work this side of Heaven.

Fitzgerald’s Kingsway worship debut, Hope of Heaven, certainly bears out this idea, although a five-star reception on iTunes might suggest a promise of glory, if that was the point. Instead, it is the realization of a dream born in the heart of a 14-year old Pennsylvania-born drummer boy, the live CD embodies the collaborative, vertical approach to worship.

Featuring special guests Brian and Jenn Johnson, Rita Springer, Chris McClarney, Christa Black, Kristene Mueller-DiMarco and backup from the amazing army of Jesus Culture musicians, Hope of Heaven delivers on both fronts. It’s an eclectic collection of 10 powerful songs with a Euro-pop feel, full of piano driven anthems and melodic guitars—all recorded live at Bethel Church in Redding, California.

The anthemic title track, “Hope of Heaven,” a song based on The Lord’s Prayer, took more than two years to complete. “There are so many different beliefs on the Kingdom of Heaven and what that looks like,” the songwriter explains. “But if Jesus lives in our hearts, He and His kingdom are here on Earth. And we who believe can have a real relationship with him. It’s such a seemingly ‘high’ concept, but it’s reality.”

Perhaps the simplest, but most profound song on Hope of Heaven is one of Fitzgerald’s personal favorites: “We Are An Ark.” It’s such an simple song to sing,” he says, “but the concept is something we Christians struggle with, just coming to the realization that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus and living that out is a stretch for us sometimes. If we can somehow grasp the truth that if Jesus lives inside us, we are holy, despite our past, despite the monologue in our heads, it can change everything. ‘We are an ark of His glory’ is a declaration of the truth that we warehouse the presence of His glory.” Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.