Few songwriters have influenced Southern Gospel music as profoundly as Phil Cross. Born in Ringgold, Georgia, and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Phil developed a love for Gospel music at an early age through his family’s ministry and the rich tradition of the Red Back Church Hymnal. Under the mentorship of legendary songwriter Elmer Cole, he refined the gifts that would establish him as one of the most respected writers in the history of the genre.
For more than forty years, Phil has written or co-written many of Southern Gospel’s most beloved songs, including Champion of Love, When I Get Carried Away, One Holy Lamb, Jesus Built a Bridge, Wedding Music, Saved to the Uttermost, and I Am Redeemed. His songs have been recorded by countless artists and continue to encourage listeners with timeless messages of faith, hope, and redemption.
In 1991, Phil founded Poet Voices as an outlet for his original music and ministry. He has also invested much of his life mentoring young songwriters and artists while preserving the stories behind Gospel music through his popular Song of a Lifetime events.
For Phil Cross, the songs have always pointed to something greater than the music itself. His passion has never been simply to write songs, but to communicate the Gospel through them. In this book, he opens the door to the stories behind many of his best loved songs, sharing the experiences, inspirations, and moments of faith that shaped the lyrics and the message. It is an invitation to see not only how the songs were written, but why they continue to resonate with listeners today.