The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music: From Keaggy to Patty (#93–87)

Episode Intro

Welcome to Episode 3 of The CCM Professor with Greg Rice. In this installment of our countdown through The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Greg explores seven defining releases that stretched CCM’s sound and reach—from the live unity of How the West Was One and Amy Grant’s pop-worship milestone Age to Age, to the gritty evangelism of Resurrection Band, the R&B joy of Jon Gibson, the sleek gospel polish of Trin-i-tee 5:7, Stryper’s arena-grade witness, and Sandi Patty’s cathedral-size praise.

Follow along below for album highlights, standout songs, and a narrative recap. When you’re done, visit ccmprofessor.com for companion posts, playlists, and ways to share your own memories.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 Cold Open & Intro
• 01:15 Segment 1 — Welcome & Setup
• 03:07 #93 — 2nd Chapter of Acts / Phil Keaggy / A Band Called David — How the West Was One (1977)
• 08:33 #92 — Amy Grant — Age to Age (1982)
• 12:26 #91 — Resurrection Band — Awaiting Your Reply (1978)
• 16:10 #90 — Jon Gibson — Jesus Loves Ya (1990)
• 21:04 #89 — Trin-i-tee 5:7 — Trin-i-tee 5:7 (1998)
• 25:17 #88 — Stryper — To Hell With the Devil (1989)
• 29:08 #87 — Sandi Patty — Morning Like This (1986)
• 35:23 Segment 3 — Narrative Recap
• 38:02 Segment 4 — Next Seven Tease
• 40:48 Outro

#93 — 2nd Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy, & A Band Called David, How the West Was One (1977)

Standout Songs:

• “Easter Song” — The studio classic becomes a live eruption—voices and drums ignite a present-tense resurrection shout. The crowd’s energy turns celebration into proclamation.
• “What a Day” — Keaggy’s tone glides between melody and exclamation while the band leaves him space to soar. The joy feels unrehearsed and contagious.
• “Love Broke Thru” — A tender, spiritually charged performance capturing grace invading human frailty. The melody unfolds like a quiet testimony.

Why It Matters: This live collaboration captured the joy and unity that defined early Jesus Music—worship that was both musically excellent and spiritually alive.

#92 — Amy Grant, Age to Age (1982)

Standout Songs:

• “I Have Decided” — A buoyant pledge of discipleship that feels confident and humble. Steady rhythm and Amy’s calm delivery turn conviction into everyday devotion.
• “Sing Your Praise to the Lord” — Written by Rich Mullins, it opens with a piano prelude based on J. S. Bach’s Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847, then widens into a full-band celebration. The build mirrors the journey from private prayer to public praise.
• “El-Shaddai” — Hebrew phrasing threads through a tender, lullaby-like melody. Simplicity and reverence make it one of Amy’s most enduring worship moments.

Why It Matters: Age to Age made Amy Grant the voice of a generation, blending devotional warmth with pop craftsmanship that still feels honest and timeless.

#91 — Resurrection Band, Awaiting Your Reply (1978)

Standout Songs:

• “Awaiting Your Reply” — A minor-key plea for Christ’s return that builds tension with every verse. Gritty vocals and layered guitars capture longing and urgency.
• “Broken Promises” — Blues-edged guitars frame a lament about betrayal and loss. It refuses to sugarcoat pain while still pointing toward restoration.
• “Lightshine” — A swaggering groove declares that faith shines brightest in darkness—grit, groove, and gospel conviction in one statement piece.

Why It Matters: Rez proved Christian rock could be raw, honest, and pastoral—opening space for artists to tell the truth through loud guitars and sincere lyrics.

#90 — Jon Gibson, Jesus Loves Ya (1990)

Standout Songs:

• “Jesus Loves Ya” — Handclaps, bright synths, and call-and-response joy make grace feel like a party. An R&B hook that lingers long after the fade.
• “Love Come Down” — Mid-tempo groove with silky BGVs and a skyscraper chorus. Gibson’s phrasing glides with pop polish and gospel soul.
• “Forever Now” — A tender closer trading rhythm for reverence. Minimal backing lets the vocal deliver quiet devotion.

Why It Matters: Gibson reminded CCM that worship could groove—bringing R&B smoothness and gospel conviction together for a new era.

#89 — Trin-i-tee 5:7, Trin-i-tee 5:7 (1998)

Standout Songs:

• “God’s Grace” — Gratitude rides an upbeat, radio-ready groove. Every line feels like a smile sung into the mic.
• “Holy & Righteous” — Tight harmonies and head-nod percussion turn identity in Christ into celebration. Holiness as joy, not rigidity.
• “With All My Heart” — A slow, heartfelt ballad turning private devotion into musical intimacy. Vulnerability is the big note.

Why It Matters: A youthful, modern shine that proved R&B style and spiritual substance could live together without compromise.

#88 — Stryper, To Hell With the Devil (1989)

Standout Songs:

• “To Hell With The Devil” — Twin-lead fireworks and gang vocals turn defiance into worship—a defining Christian rock anthem.
• “Honestly” — A piano-led power ballad that brought the band to mainstream radio. Vulnerability becomes the hook.
• “Calling On You” — Hook-heavy pop-metal that sounds joyful and loud. Faith and melody in perfect balance.

Why It Matters: The record that made Christian metal impossible to ignore—bold faith with world-class musicianship.

#87 — Sandi Patty, Morning Like This (1986)

Standout Songs:

• “Let There Be Praise” — Brass flourishes and rhythmic lift invite a joyful congregation—a bracing call to worship.
• “Love In Any Language” — A tender global vision borne on a rising melody. Soaring vocal, universal message.
• “In The Name Of The Lord” — From petition to proclamation with cinematic inevitability. One of Patty’s most stirring performances.

Why It Matters: Worship as something grand and deeply personal—technically breathtaking, pastorally warm.

Segment 3 — Narrative Recap

Across these seven albums, you can trace the arc of Christian music’s evolution—from small gatherings to polished professionalism—without losing the heart of worship and witness. Amy Grant’s pop sophistication and Rez Band’s street-level realism laid the groundwork for what followed, while Jon Gibson’s groove, Trin-i-tee 5:7’s polish, and Stryper’s roar pushed the sound to new audiences. Sandi Patty then reminded us that worship can be glorious, reverent, and beautifully human.

Next Up (#86–#80)

Next time, we continue the countdown with Jaci Velasquez, Delirious?, Lost Dogs, Lifesavers Underground, the Seventy Sevens, Cindy Morgan, and Jennifer Knapp—seven albums that brought fresh voices, bold production, and unforgettable songs of faith to the mid-’90s.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and visit ccmprofessor.com for the companion blog posts, playlists, and deeper dives.

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Why this matters now—and always

Even as worship styles evolve and production trends shift, these albums continue to remind us where modern Christian music came from—and why it connected so deeply. They speak to faith, artistry, and cultural moments that still shape the Church’s soundtrack today.

This project is for longtime fans, musicians, collectors, and younger listeners who may be discovering these records for the first time. However you come to it, the goal is the same: to listen again, with new ears, and find meaning in the music that defined a generation.