Making A Joyful Noise

Matt Papa has shared his faith with the world for years as a world renowned contemporary Christian singer, song-and-hymn writer, and recording artist. He’s also now regularly displaying those talents, in person, for the congregation at Marco Presbyterian Church where he recently became the artist-in-residence.

Nominated twice for a Dove Award, Christian music’s Grammy equivalent, Papa tours across the U.S. Known for such songs as “His Mercy Is More,” “Christ Our Hope In Life And Death” and “Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery,” his 2009 album, “Almost Home” reached Number 10 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

Papa and his wife Lauren and their five children, ages four through 12, moved to Marco in July from the Atlanta area, where he was raised. “Not the best time to move to Southwest Florida,” he said with a laugh, noting the summer season’s oven-like heat, “but we’re still having a blast.”

As artist-in-residence, he is utilizing his expertise to advise Marco Presbyterian’s music ministry, while also pitching in as a performer at Sunday services. “I’m not a music minister or pastor or choir director,” he explained, “but I am contributing to those aspects of the church.”

Papa and his family first visited Marco last November when the church asked him to fill in, temporarily, as music director. Like so many others, they were captivated by what the island has to offer.

“We came down and the gravity of this place just kind of sucked us in,” he said. “It was the combination of a few things, but the majority of it was the beauty and quaintness and serenity of Marco Island. I came in and sang some songs, and the people at the church were incredibly kind and hospitable. A lot of people on this island are. It’s a lovely little place.”

In January, he returned to his job as an artist-in-residence at a thriving church in Atlanta, but the opportunity to join the staff at Marco Presbyterian proved to be irresistible.

“It just made a lot of sense, from the standpoint of my family and this being a beautiful place to raise our kids,” said Papa. “But also from a need standpoint, the church here seemed like it could really use someone helping out with music. The stars kind of aligned and it is a really great situation. I’m a songwriter, first and foremost, and they really want me to have a space where I can keep that humming and thriving. They’re very supportive of that and in turn, I feel a conviction to help support the church as much as I can and to make Sunday mornings as great as I can, and to be a voice in all the various aspects of the church’s worship ministry.” 

Songwriting has been Papa’s nine-to-five for about five years.

“It’s a bewildering thing to people and it’s a bewildering thing to me because songwriting is very different from other work in the sense that if you’re an accountant, you go to work and you clock-in and you do the work and you can see the productivity,” he said. “With songwriting, it’s most of the time very frustrating because you have no idea if you’re making any progress, whatsoever.”

His work days generally see him work on new ideas and melodies in the morning and spending afternoons occupied with such tasks as finishing songs, forwarding information to publishers, or emailing song ideas to someone.

“It’s a strange career, but I guess you’d call it a calling,” said Papa. “I really have found a lot of fulfillment in it, in folks using the songs in churches across America and around the world. There’s a great feeling, in that that you’re helping people and you’re inspiring people.” 

Papa said he and his wife don’t often collaborate on songs, but one they wrote together was released in February. It’s entitled “Almost Home,” an ironic title given the fact they were searching for a home here on the island.

“The song is about a journey to heaven, and it uses the sea as metaphor for the trials and tribulations involved in finally reach the shore one day,” explained Papa. “All the while we were looking for a house on Marco Island and striking out and striking out and striking out. Unbeknownst to our bank and my record label, we actually closed on the house and released that single on the same day, which is really wild. It was almost like God winking at us. We’re really thankful.”

Matt Boswell, of Dallas, has been his primary writing partner of 12 years. Together they have released two albums, 2019’s “His Mercy Is More,” which was nominated for a 2020 Dove Award, and “Almost Home,” which debuted earlier this month. They’re also scheduled to release two more albums over the next four years.

Papa’s journey in faith began during adolescence, but music has been a constant in his life since childhood.

“It has always been a world that I can escape into,” he said. I was in sports as a little kid, but when I picked up a guitar, music kind of took over. It’s a place I can go to find peace, to find comfort, to exhale, to purge emotions. I guess it’s like any sort of business. You’re doing a thing that you really like and that you’re passionate about and when you see other people find value in that or connect with that, it’s just an amazing intersection.”

Marco Presbyterian Church is located at 875 W. Elkcam Circle. For more information, visit marcochurch.com or call 239-394-8186. For more information about Matt Papa and his music, visit mattpapa.com. His music can be purchased there and also be found on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and other streaming services.