One of our most requested specials is the tribute we’ve aired about the late, great Rich Mullins. You can listen to the show using the player below.
From Rich’s wiki entry: Mullins was best known for his worship songs “Awesome God” and “Step by Step”, both of which have been embraced as modern classics by many Christians. Some of his albums were also considered among Christian music’s best, including Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth (1988), The World As Best As I Remember It, Volume One (1991) and A Liturgy, A Legacy, & A Ragamuffin Band (1993). His music has been covered by many artists, including Caedmon’s Call, Five Iron Frenzy, Amy Grant, Carolyn Arends, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, John Tesh, Chris Rice, Rebecca St. James, Hillsong United and Third Day.
Rich Mullins is also remembered for his devotion to the Christian faith. He was heavily influenced by St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226). In 1997, he composed a musical called Canticle of the Plains, a retelling of the life of St. Francis set in the Old West.
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Rich Mullins was a true man of God, his music changed my life. R.I.P. Rich
His music spoke to me in a special way….. There’s no doubt about it; he knew Jesus & Jesus knew him! We must not let his music die!!!
What an extraordinary man…he is still desperately missed. No one comes close to the talent or influence of this great man. RIP to our beloved Rich, and thanks to our Father in heaven who let us have him for the time we did.
We need to pray for the movie about this simple, complicated man to happen. There are some folks out with the bucks and Jesus will be working on their heart to finance this project. While Rich was so humble, he might want that kind of focus, but his life will connect to some who might not get to Jesus another way.
Thanks, John for this tribute as only you could do. We need to pray for Mitch, the Ragamuffins, and the truck driver–even after all this time.
I adore that picture! Each time I hear it, I recall that explosive, goofy laugh…
Having lived near WIchita for 8 years, we had several opportunities to cross paths with Rich. One Christmas, he was participating in a dramatic reading with Frank Pretti of his book “All is Well”. My son Kurt and I went to the Better Book Room to have several of Mr. Pretti;’s novels autographed as gifts. We walked into the music section and there Rich was with several folks getting some publicity shots. Kurt saw RIch and immediately recognized him. He had that look you get when you see someone famous on his face and pointed (he was about 7 or 8 at the time). Rich saw him and mimiced his look and pointed back. RIch showed he was an open honest person. Both my daughter Sarah and Kurt were shocked and sad to hear of Rich’s accident. We all miss him.
Thanks for putting this together.
We can learn a lot about authentic Christianity from Rich Mullins’s example and music.
I still miss him. Every time I hear his songs I think of him, and every September he is remembered by me. I miss all the songs that were not written because he isn’t here. However, when in Heaven we will be singing some of the most Awesome-est that I’m sure Rich had a part in. He had a part in all our lives while he was here on earth. Thank you God for this man who blessed us so much.
I have always believed that Rich was one of a kind when it came to his song writing and story telling. I will never forget the first time that I seen him live at a festival and how he had the crowd within the palm of his hand and how they were holding on to each word.
Mullins lived what he believed and one could see how much he loved Jesus with all his heart. The things of this world didnt impress him it was the things of heaven that held his interest.
When the Lord took Rich Mullins, He had literally used him up. Rich gave everything to God and in doing that, he gave everything to us as well. We were new Christians and Rich was one of the first and came to be our favorite Chrisitian Music Artist. I work with a man who is paralyzed and he is a Christian. He had never heard of Rich, so my husband told me to take the last cd with Rich playing on the guitar and piano alone with no band….just him and God. “My Deliverer is Comin” was recorded by his band. They did a wonderful job. But hearing Rich singing it all alone recording on an old boombox is the best. We gave this cd to this gentleman and he loves it. He especially loves just Rich singing. So Rich continues to bring God’s love into this world long after his physical person is gone. God blessed us greatly with this man of God.
miss him still!! his music gets ahold of you and its sticks to you.. he rarely if ever sang songs about him they were all about God..