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What happens when a 500-year-old hymn meets a modern worship band? For one reimagined classic 鈥� 鈥� the result is nearly 1 million YouTube views and a powerful reminder that old songs can still move hearts. 

When generations come together in worship, the impact is powerful. But as music styles evolve, original arrangements of beloved hymns don鈥檛 often fit the modern sound. Rather than losing these theologically rich lyrics, musicians are reimagining them to suit today鈥檚 church culture.  

Grant McCurdy, worship leader at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, and a 2014 worship graduate of Cedarville University, discovered this need during his freshman year. While preparing for a service at his home church in Missouri, he and his pastor knew 鈥淎 Mighty Fortress鈥� 鈥� the nearly 500-year-old hymn 鈥� fit their theme. However, the arrangement didn鈥檛 work for their worship band.  

McCurdy decided to rearrange the hymn, aiming to make it more musically accessible while preserving its emotional depth and powerful, enduring message.  

鈥淚t would be a tragedy if that nearly 500-year-old lyric from Martin Luther, an influential leader in the church, was suddenly lost in the rapid development of music,鈥� said McCurdy.  

When HeartSong, Cedarville University鈥檚 traveling worship team, recorded the newly arranged hymn for its album 鈥淐athedral,鈥� McCurdy never imagined it would gain such traction. With nearly 1 million views on YouTube and churches across the country incorporating it into their services, McCurdy and HeartSong have touched lives across the world.  

HeartSong members grow vocally and spiritually as they lead worship at Cedarville and travel to churches, camps and conferences. 鈥淎 Mighty Fortress鈥� is just one example of HeartSong鈥檚 reach.  

When McCurdy became an intern at The Village Church 鈥� where he now serves as the senior director of worship and production 鈥� he was surprised to find that his own arrangement of 鈥淎 Mighty Fortress鈥� was already being played in their services. 

鈥淭he 1 million views represent a lyric that鈥檚 worth preserving and continuing to sing in the church,鈥� said McCurdy.  

As church music continues to evolve, musicians like McCurdy are helping ensure that beloved hymns remain a vibrant part of worship 鈥� faithful to Scripture and resonant with every generation. 

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation鈥檚 top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.