Work with Compassion International inspires Shaun Groves' new album

Music comes from the heart and that's certainly true for Shaun Groves this time round as he looks forward to the release of his next album.

Third World Symphony, out on August 30, draws on his experiences travelling and working with Compassion International, a charity working to give impoverished children a new future spiritually as well as socially and economically through child sponsorship.

Shaun had the opportunity to go to El Salvador to visit Yanci, one of the four children his family sponsors. It turned out to be a visit that inspired the Groves family to simplify their lifestyle in order to give more.

It also led to Shaun hitting the road to tell others about child poverty and has since spawned more trips with the organisation.

It was his recent trip to Ethiopia with a group of ministers that kindled his desire to create new music.

“My music is not as weighty as the lives these people had lived,” confesses Groves. “I realised how much the third world was teaching me.

"That’s where the idea for this record started.”

Now Shaun sees what he does as so much more than making music. It's about being one small part of a much bigger mission.

“I know that through music and speaking we’ve been able to release children from poverty, but I feel like those children have even more so released me from wealth, from a narrow perspective,” says Groves.

“They’ve taught me about grace, and what it means to be truly thankful. They’ve taught me about simplicity and generosity and purpose, and about beauty and joy that exists in places that are rusty and broken and corrupt.

"So I guess in a sense this record is a tribute, trying to redeem the term ‘third world’. Too often we just feel sorry for them, but they’re beautiful, life giving people I love to be around.”

Shaun has become a keen blogger along the way, documenting his travels and even managing to completely finance his new album by raising funds from his online followers in just two weeks.

The change that has taken place in him is reflected in his new album, he notes.

“Musically and lyrically it’s different than the things I’ve done in the past.

“Fewer ‘Me’ and ‘I’ lyrics, a lot of ‘We’ and ‘Us’.”

“Down Here” makes the call for social justice in the here and now, while "Enough" reflects on living a plentiful life after witnessing so much poverty.

Dr Wess Stafford, president and chief executive of Compassion International, is enthusiastic about Shaun's new music.

“Shaun Groves is using his voice in many arenas – as a committed husband and father, a well-known blogger, a much sought-after speaker, and a gifted and accomplished musician – but in all cases, Shaun’s voice is heard loud and clear as an advocate for those living in extreme poverty," he said.

"His long-awaited album, Third World Symphony, showcases much more than Shaun’s musical abilities – the lyrics clearly express the poverty of ‘not enough’ as well as the reverse poverty of ‘too much’.

"I am humbled by Shaun’s conviction and passion as he compellingly represents Compassion’s ministry to needy children around the world. Thank you Shaun for continuing to show us God’s heart for His children!”