Worship music veteran Paul Baloche brought something special to Cedarville University this past weekend as part of the Worship 4:24 Conference, unveiling a brand‑new song that's already turning heads in the Christian music world.
Baloche, a three‑time Dove Award winner known for iconic worship staples like "Open the Eyes of My Heart," "Hosanna" and "Your Name," served as the featured artist at the annual Worship 4:24 event held January 29-31, 2026 in the Dixon Ministry Center.
On Friday night (January 30), during the conference's Night of Worship, Baloche gave attendees an exclusive first listen to his latest composition, "Spirit and Truth." Co‑written with songwriter and arranger John Bolin, the song draws its inspiration from John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth" - echoing the event's theme centered on authentic, Christ‑centered worship.
The debut was more than just a performance; it was a moment of corporate praise as Cedarville's student worship team Jubilate helped bring the song to life. Baloche's new work will be published by Semsen Music and is expected to be added to worship sets and church rotations in the months ahead.
The Worship 4:24 Conference - co‑sponsored by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and Cedarville's Department of Music and Worship - equips worship leaders, musicians, praise teams and tech crews with tools for biblically grounded ministry in a culture where many church leaders express concern about shallow worship trends.
As nearly 1,000 attendees looked on, Baloche's live debut of "Spirit and Truth" wasn't just a highlight of the weekend - it was a reminder of the enduring role of new worship music in church life and culture.
