Their Story: Story Behind "God of this City"

Chris Tomlin and his band were in Belfast for a concert event. It was early in the afternoon and Tomlin's guitarist was the only one not doing something. So he decided to go out and "support" the local bands there. While he was listening, the band started singing a song that gripped his heart. He ran to get Chris out of the dressing room to come hear this song. By the time Chris got to the stage, the song was over. So Chris and the rest of his band met with this local Belfast worship band afterwards. They gave him MP3s of all of their songs and he listened to that one special song. Tomlin said that he was so moved that he just had to ask them what inspired this song.

Their band and a few other members of their church went on a mission trip to Pattaya, Thailand recently. In Pattaya, there are over 30,000 female prostitutes over the age of 18! (That is not counting the ones under 18, or even the male prostitutes there) While they were walking around the town, they walked into a local bar there called...."The Climax Club", which was looking for bands to play. They agreed to give it a try and asked the owner how long he wanted them to play. The owner said, "As long as your friends continues to buy cokes." So they ended up buying cokes for 2-3 hours.

So for over 2 hours this band sang Jesus over these prostitutes who had no idea what they were singing! All of the sudden this song "came down from heaven," as one of the band members recalls. Then spontaneously they started singing:

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done here

Chris Tomlin then asked if he could play their song for the up-coming Passion tour. They agreed and then Chris sent the that song along with some other potential songs to Louie and told him to listen. He said that there is one song that ruined him but wouldn't tell him which one. Louie listened to the songs and quickly wrote him back asking about "God of this City".

Now you know the rest of the story.

Comments

Debbie Giese said…
Hi,
I landed on your blog by googling story God of this city. I first heard the story on KLOVE radio and the Holy Spirit immediately showed me the truthfulness of it. Unbelievable, yet believable, because we serve an amazing God who has not given up on us.Awesome, awesome story. Thanks for your post. I am going to put it on my blog too because people need to know that God is still at work. Praise Him!
Debbie
Sunday, 26 October, 2008
MattMcGee said…
thanks for posting the story. My sister Celeste has been a missionary there in Thailand (mostly Bangkok) working with those girls and guys - trying to get them out of prostitution, experience Jesus' salvation, be discipled, & learn a new job. The girls' & guys' stories are usually sad; things we don't understand & experience in America. I had heard the song before & liked it a lot, but when she recently came home on a visit & told me the story behind the song I was completely amazed with God's power. Celeste & her team have seen God save people & things change there. There is still much to be done. But it is awesome to hear how God stepped in & shows that He is working too! I could say more....MAtT M.
Friday, 02 January, 2009
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Friday, 17 July, 2009
Anonymous said…
Pretty sure this song was not written by Chris and the band. The band, "Blue Tree" wrote this one.
Wednesday, 20 January, 2010
Mike G. said…
I never said Chris Tomlin wrote it. I gave full credit to the other band throughout the whole story.
Wednesday, 20 January, 2010
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