|PIC1|Best-selling worship leader Chris Tomlin recently celebrated the upcoming release of his fifth studio project, Hello Love (out September 2), his No 1 single "Jesus Messiah", and the RIAA Platinum Certification of both his 2004 release, Arriving, and the RIAA Gold Certification of 2006's See the Morning at a packed party at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville.

sixsteps/Sparrow Records presented the reigning three times Gospel Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year with the platinum and gold records, in the presence of special guests sixstep's Louie Giglio and EMI-CMG's Peter York. Tomlin later performed for the crowd full of family, friends and industry VIPs.

"I am completely overwhelmed and honoured to have the presentation of both a platinum and gold record simultaneous to the release of my next album, Hello Love," exclaimed Tomlin.

"I am thankful to share this moment with all the incredible people that have made this a reality. This is so much bigger than one person and I am humbled to be a part of it. It truly is the favour of God!"

The album's debut single "Jesus Messiah", released June 13, is the No 1 song on R&R's AC Indicator chart this week, and is currently No 3 on its Christian AC Monitored chart, No 2 on the INSPO chart, and No 23 on the CHR chart, after being the most added song on all formats including CHR in its first week out, thus making it the biggest ever add date for a single in Christian radio history

"I've heard Chris say that he feels his calling is to give voice to the worshipping church," remarks President, EMI Christian Music Group/Label Group Peter York.

"It's a calling he remains faithfully committed to in his concerts and on his recordings, and it's a continual pleasure & privilege to watch his songs inspire people of all cultures and bring the hope of the gospel to millions of people throughout the world."

Following his 2006 RIAA Gold-certified record, See the Morning, Tomlin's latest project communicates what he describes as the "need to introduce ourselves to love again".

Produced by Ed Cash (Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Bebo Norman), Hello Love endeavours to give voice to the church to worship their Creator. This is evident throughout the album on songs like "Love", "God of This City", "Sing, Sing, Sing", and "I Will Rise" to name a few.

Tomlin is currently performing new songs and old favourites on Passion's first world tour, just returning from South Africa, and still to hit Mexico City, Vancouver, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney.

"With the inception of sixstepsrecords, and our initial signing of Chris Tomlin, our desire was to serve him as a friend, worship leader, artist and a songwriter," comments sixsteps' Louie Giglio.

"Eight years later it's a little overwhelming to present both gold and platinum albums to Chris on the same day, each markers of the favour God has placed on his life and the wave of worship his songs has spawned in the global church. It is a great privilege to thank him and honour God in this way."

With seven No 1 radio singles, two Grammy nominations, 14 Dove Awards, one platinum and one gold album to his credit, Chris Tomlin is among the most well-known and influential artists in contemporary Christian music.

Referred to by Time Magazine as "the most often sung artist anywhere", Tomlin additionally has 10 Top 100 CCLI songs with 4 in the top 25.

ASCAP's 2007 Songwriter of the Year, Tomlin's "How Great Is Our God" was his first No 1 on the CCLI Top 25. The award-winning song moved to No 1 after becoming one of the fasting rising modern day hymns in CCLI chart history.